The Oswego and Oswego East badminton teams are both on track to produce solid seasons in 2016.
In 2015, the Panthers went 8-2 in duals, won their sixth straight Southwest Prairie Conference title and qualified a program-best five to the state tournament. Two of them are back in juniors Bri Ecton and Jenna Metcalf.
A seventh straight SPC title as well as qualifying six players to state are among the goals for Oswego this year.
"When you are at the top everybody is trying to knock you down," Oswego coach Scott Freischlag said. "I'm sure Oswego East is going to have a good team, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Romeoville. Our conference is tough and has many state qualifiers. It will be tough, but I think we have a strong group. We'll compete and see what happens."
The Wolves went second in conference and graduated Leena Hwang, the most decorated player in Oswego East and SPC history, but return just about everyone else from a squad that went 8-1 in duals in the regular season.
"Top to bottom, this is one of the better teams I've coached since I've been here," Oswego East coach Marko Jurkovic said. "Last year, we leaned on Leena, but these girls have really taken a step forward ,and it's been fun to see the development. They are extremely hard workers. Things are looking good so far."
Oswego won its first two matches of the season against Waubonsie Valley (12-3) and Wheaton North (9-6). In addition to Metcalf and Ecton, the Panthers return Anne Jakubowski, Xanthe Deck and Sue Ellen Wieczorek. The newcomers are Lauren Arnold, Adeel Ayaz, Katelyn Beamish, Giana Bytnar, Jordan Davis, Samantha Frantik, Marilee Garrett, Isabella Gugliotta, Jessie Jakubowski and Vivian Vavrinek.
The Wolves are also 2-0 in duals after wins against Joliet West (11-4) and Waubonsie Valley (10-5). They also won DeKalb's six-team Round Robin Tournament with 27 points.
Of the 12 players on Oswego East's roster, eight are returning, including seniors Amna Hoda and Ibtesam Kamal and Amber Williams and juniors Stephanie Balbin, Annie Carmody, Andrea De Guzman, Simi Sharma and Gina Tito. The newcomers are seniors Ashley Munson, Nicole Arias and Clarissa Williams and junior Bailey Keating.
The Panthers and Wolves will play each other on April 18 at Oswego East. The SPC tournament is scheduled for April 28 and April 30 at Plainfield Central.