RBHS all-state swimmer Vlcek sees great state for team

Riverside Brookfield High School junior Maria Ellis remembers barely missing qualifying for her first girls swimming and diving state meet last year.

At the 2023 Hinsdale Central Sectional, Ellis achieved a significant personal-best 2:10.54 for the 200-yard individual medley relay, yet was .29 from the state cut.

“It’s my full driving force and all I could think about during the offseason,” Ellis said. “It’s what I’ve been working toward ever since.” 

As senior Hailey Vlcek, the only all-state swimmer in program history, works toward higher state finishes, she very well could be joined by multiple teammates at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont Nov. 15-16.

While earning first-team all-state honors in the 200-yard freestyle the past two state meets, Vlcek has been the Bulldogs’ lone representative in all of her three state trips.

“It’s definitely a big possibility and that’s the goal. I honestly really see [more qualifiers] happening this year,” said Vlcek, an Illinois recruit. “It definitely helps me, having all of these girls. We’re pushing ourselves every day. We keep each other motivated.” 

Seniors Liv Dobbe, Sophie Ivan, Clare Ruska and Audrey Simpson; sophomores Maggie McCoy and Isabel Rosa; and sophomore divers Brynn Gizewski and Paige Phelan also return. Key newcomers include freshmen Bea Ryan, Lizzie Ryan and Charlene Wang and sophomore Annie Hector. 

The Bulldogs will compete in the Upstate Eight Conference after previously participating at the Suburban Prairie Conference. 

“We’re looking at competing in our new conference, getting relays to state and qualifying more kids,” RBHS swim coach Mike Laurich said.

Last season, Vlcek was third at state in the 200 free (1:51.05), the highest finish by any RBHS swimmer or diver ever, after taking fourth in 2022 (1:52.30). She was an honorable mention all-state 14th in the 100 free (14th, 51.75).

In the state prelims, Vlcek improved her school records in the 200 free (1:50.50) and 100 free (51.49). 

She’s reached state three times in the 200 free, twice in the 100 free and in the 500 free as a sophomore. 

Vlcek also holds school records for the 50 free (24.22), 100 butterfly (59.08), and 200 individual medley (2:10.00). She improved her 100 fly record of 59.14, Sept. 10 at York. 

“I want to go for some best times and hopefully place better,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what my [postseason] events are going to be. We’re still trying to figure that out, but I’m really excited for that.” 

Ellis received a pre-season lifts from Vlcek and the 200 IM state-qualifying standard at sectionals being increased to 2:10.54, exactly her sectional time in 2023.

“But I would love to see us get some relays to state,” Ellis said.

“[Vlcek is] really motivating, especially during practice because she just works so hard. It makes you want to work hard, and she’s also really good at teaching other people. She’s helped me so much with preparing myself before races. It makes me want to be a better version of myself.”   

On Saturday, the Bulldogs finished fifth of 10 teams at their annual home invitational (149 points). 

Vlcek won the 200 free (1:53.30) and 500 free (5:09.47) by 2.36 and 3.27 seconds and Ellis won the 200 IM (2:13.57) by 5.83 seconds

The 200 free relay of Maggie McCoy, Maria Ellis, Lizzie Ryan and Vlcek was second (1:43.76). Ellis (100 fly in 1:01.86), McCoy (100 free in 55.94), and the 400 free relay (Ellis, Lizzie Ryan, McCoy, Vlcek in 3:47.10) were third. Gizewski was fourth (199.20 points)

At last year’s sectional, the 200 and 400 free relays with Vlcek, Ellis and McCoy and the 200 medley relay with Simpson, all finished third.

“We’ve been working to get the state relay time, any relay really,” McCoy said. “I’ve been working on my free and backstroke and feel like I’ve gotten better since last year.”