LOCKPORT – There was an understandable sense of excitement in the air on Saturday as several local girls swimming teams kicked off their tournament schedule by competing in the 41st annual Porter Relay Invitational, which dates back to the earliest years of the sport.

Oswego made statement by winning 10 of 12 events to easily capture first place in the 12-team meet with 366 points. The next four spots were taken by Lincoln-Way East (282), Plainfield coop (246), Lockport (236) and Lemont (196).

Coach George Sam's Plainfield
co-op team, which has only one home meet and trains at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA pool in Plainfield, features athletes from all four of the district's schools who will be looking to improve upon last season's fifth-place sectional showing.

After earning a plaque for a top-three finish in the meet, Sam is obviously encouraged by his team’s start, and by what they may be able to accomplish during the upcoming season.

“We’re really happy since we have a lot of girls back, and they’re just a fun and energetic group,” Sam said. “We have our first diver this year, so that will be fun getting points there in some of the bigger meets. This is my 10th year coaching the girls and now we can go anywhere and compete with anybody. For a while, we called ourselves the nomads since we were at four different pools. But the girls have gotten used to it and do a nice job of adjusting.

“I’ve told our girls every year that whatever we do, you’re not representing your own school, you’re representing your community, so they’ve all taken to that and that’s really what kind of pulls it together. I like how the girls don’t take themselves too seriously. Everybody kind of knows their role and each class has some strength so that makes it a lot of fun.”

Plainfield features six state qualifiers. Senior Kate Meunier has qualified in two individual events and two relays in each of the past two years, senior Grace Walter went to state in a relay in 2015 and junior Veronica Banas is a two-time qualifier in two or more relays.

Sophomore Jessica Davis also advanced in two individual events and two relays last season and finished eighth in the state in the 100 freestyle. And sophomores Kali Franckowiak and Samantha Kershner also qualified in two relays a year ago.

“This was a really good start for our team, especially since we’re super young,” Meunier said. “I’m really proud of how far my team has come in the years that I’ve been here, because when I was a freshman it was so different. Our team is really close and there’s no separation between the varsity and JV since we’re all friends and get along. Some of us have been swimming our whole lives and others have just started, but it works out. It’s going to be fun since we all know how to take things seriously, but also know how to have a good time.”

After seeing his Porters win consecutive sectional titles and capture three in four years for their best postseasn success since 1978-81, Porters coach Grant Ferkaluk likes the direction that things are headed and is looking forward to what they will achieve in the near future.

“We’re strong all the way through and we’ve got some good returning girls,” Ferkaluk said. “We’re not real young since we’re sophomore and junior heavy with not a lot of seniors or freshmen. Emily Johnson, Lindsey Merk and Oliwia Wolek have been swimming well, and we’re going to try to find spots on our relays for two seniors, Kayley Uy and Molly Gerches.

“This is a close group that’s together a lot and they support each other, so that helps when they’re pushing each other in practice. Anytime that you’ve got that type of camaraderie on a team, they’re doing well. The culture of winning around here has started to improve and so when they’re walking in the door believing in what you’re doing, it certainly helps.”

Porter sophomore Lindsey Merk advanced to state in two individual events and two relays. She finished third in the 100 butterfly, tying her with Courtney Pope (2009) and Laura Nilsen (2002) for the best state showings by a Porter.

Juniors Emily Johnson and Oliwia Wolek both qualified in two relays and Wolek moved on in two individual events, while Johnson, a 2015 relay qualifier, advanced in one individual event.

“We’re a strong team, as we’ve been the last few years,” Merk said. “We want another sectional championship and we have high expectations since we’re strong in every event. This was a very competitive meet and I’m proud of the team since we all had some great races. We’re starting out strong and we’re just going to keep getting better, and everything will come together. We all work hard in practice and we all have great support for each other. It’s great to be a part of a team like this where you know that everyone is behind you.”