Girls Swim Team

Fall 2002

 The Girls Swim Team grew in size this year with a large number of freshmen who came out to swim.  Within the section, the team went undefeated:  beating Kenwood, Bowen, Washington, and CVS.  Seeking out greater competition, the team traveled to Lincoln Park and Northside College Prep and were defeated in some outstanding races with our relay teams and our sprinters.  At the Eisenhower meet (going to the "burbs" of Blue Island), Morgan Park defeated both Eisenhower and Chicago Ag.  Only at Eisenhower and Northside College Prep did the Frosh-Soph team see ANY competition. 

   On October 18, 2002, Morgan Park placed 4th at the City Relays--one of our best finishes in recent years.  It is always a challenge to get as many swimmers into the line-up without sacrificing wins and putting together combinations in an order that makes the most of each girl's swimming talents.  We had a 3rd in the 100 IM by DuPree, Cole, and Hill; and a 2nd in the 400 free relay by O'Connell, Ayala, DuPree, and Cole. Three 4th place finishes, two 5th places, and four 7th places completed the meet. 

   On November 6, 2002, the Varsity Team swept the South Section taking a 1st place in all but one event.  The 200 medley relay of Koperdak, DuPree, Ayala, and O'Connell began the meet with a 1st place.  O'Connell and Furcron followed with 1st and 2nd in the 200 freestyle race; Hill and Frye were 1st and 3rd in the 100 individual medley; Cole and Clemons were 1st and 2nd in the 50 yard freestyle; Ayala and West were 1st and 3rd in the 100 yard butterfly; Cole and DuPree were 1st and 3rd in the 100 yard freestyle; and Ayala and Furcron were 1st and 4th in the 500 yard freestyle.  Clemons, DuPree, O'Connell, and Cole were 1st in the 200 free relay, followed by a 1st and 5th in the 100 back by Koperdak and West, a 2nd and 3rd by Hill and Frye in the 100 yard breaststroke, and then the final 1st place finish by O'Connell, Ayala, DuPree, and Cole in the 400 free relay.  Ayala only started swimming the 500 the week before the line-up was due in--again trying to match the swimmer with the best events for both her and the team!

   The Sophomore Championship was the following day, with all the top teams represented in strength.  We finished 5th with our small contingent.  One of the best quotes came from Cecilia Ortiz when we asked if she could hear us cheering her on during her 500 freestyle:  "I don't know; I was closing my eyes.  The lights were bothering me."  Coach Leigh, with her biology background, couldn't explain how sound might be heard through the eyes.  Of course, some of the girls were swimming their events for only the second time--and never before with a packed balcony to include Lane Tech's beating drum!  We were trying to decide if the Mustangs were being stalked by the Indians!

   The City Championships were November 18th.  We finished a respectable 5th.  Janelle Cole was our top swimmer, finishing 2nd in the 50 yard freestyle, and swimming on the 3rd place 200 free relay and 4th place 400 free relay.      At the Swim Team Banquet March 3, 2003, Janelle Cole received the Tim Fleming Award for the Most Valuable Female Swimmer.

    With most of the team returning next year, we hope to improve times, though it is hard to move up on the powerhouses of Northside College Prep, Lane Tech, and Whitney Young.  But we can keep them on their toes!

June 19 by C. Macola