To conduct the interview about the Riverside Brookfield girls swimming team, head coach Todd Fridrych called this reporter at 7:15 a.m. Monday morning to talk enthusiastically about the Bulldogs aspirations this season.
Clearly not a victim to the Monday morning “blues,” Fridrych’s optimism is palpable, and probably for good reason, considering RB is hardly a sleeper but rather the prohibitive favorite in the Metro Suburban Conference.
The Bulldogs, defending conference champs, have performed well in sectional competition and at state over the last three seasons.
“We’re a very deep, strong team this year,” Fridrych said. “We feel we can win our conference and go after a Top 10 finish at the state meet. Our focus is toward doing well at the end of the season.”
Although the Bulldogs graduated two key swimmers in Natalie Pike and Megan Crowley (both were state qualifiers in 2006), plenty of talent returns for Fridrych.
Seniors Megan St. John and Sara Martinek, who are both three-time state qualifiers, are looking for big results in their final campaign. St. John swims the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle, while Martinek will compete in freestyle events as an individual and relay team member.
Martha Sitkiewicz (100-yard butterfly), Clare Walsh (100-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle), and Katherine Pike also are expected to contribute solid times this season. Two talented transfers that both made cuts for state last fall, senior Devon Thomas and her sophomore sister, Lisa, join the team this year as well. Freshmen Amanda Gregus and Kate Walsh round out Fridrych’s extremely deep, versatile lineup.
“Depth is obviously a team strength for us,” said Fridrych, who is in his fifth year coaching at RB. “We should have a good one-two punch in practically every event. If we can get our top swimmers to place in the Top 12 at state, our other swimmers can hopefully back them up with a good effort. Our swimmers tend to feed off each other.”
In their first action of the season at the Hinsdale South Invitational, RB captured second place with a score of 234, trailing only invite winner Lincoln-Way East (312).
“Lincoln-Way East is loaded so we did pretty well [at Hinsdale South],” Fridrych said. “The girls have been training hard and working hard. We’re focused on doing well in conference and at sectionals, and then qualifying as many individuals and relay teams as we can to the state finals.”