Girls swimming sectional preview capsules

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Updated: March 1, 2012 9:52AM

Crown Point Sectional

When: Thursday Feb. 2 (preliminaries) at 5:30 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 4 (diving, swimming consolation and finals) at 1 p.m.

Where: Crown Point High School

Teams: Crown Point, East Chicago, Griffith, Hammond, Clark, Gavit, Morton, Bishop Noll, Highland, Kankakee Valley, Lake Central, Lowell, Munster, North Newton, Rensselaer, South Newton

The Skinny: Last season Munster’s status as favorites proved true as they won the sectional and finished in the top 10 in state. Again, the Seahorses are the favorites, but this meet could be a much tighter contest. Standing out is the redemption factor as Crown Point and Munster tied at 93-93 in their dual, before Munster knocked the Bulldogs off at the Highland invite. The strong lineups from those two teams, and Lake Central, points to advancement to the IUPUI Natatorium. Carleen Wayne of Crown Point looks to advance in diving.

Swimmers to watch: Munster — Brittany Gilbert, Jillian Homans; Crown Point — Aly Tetzloff, Hannah Raspopovich, Holly Schuster; Lake Central — Shelby Carroll

Next: Diving regional on Feb. 7 at Mishawaka; state finals on Feb. 10 at Indiana University Natatorium

Chesterton Sectional

When: Thursday Feb. 2 (preliminaries) at 5:30 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 4 (diving, swimming consolation and finals) at 9 a.m.

Where: Chesterton High School

Teams: Calumet, Chesterton, West Side, Hobart, Knox, LaPorte, Merrillville, Michigan City, North Judson, Portage, South Central, Valparaiso, Wheeler

The Skinny: It’s been a long time since the hosts have lost this one — 12 years to be exact. Now on the line is title number 20. It’s a milestone that could very well become reality with athletes such as reigning Post-Tribune girls swimmer of the year Olivia Kabacinski, who was state runner up in the 50 and the 100 free last year. But while the favoritism of the Trojans is high, the other schools also pose threats at sending people down to Indianapolis, including three-time defending sectional 100 breaststroke champion Sierra King from Portage. Valparaiso’ Khalela El-Naggar looks to be the favorite in diving.

Other swimmers to watch: Chesterton — Julia Campbell; South Central — Tori Klimczak; Wheeler — Danielle Radosevich

Next: Diving regional on Feb. 7 at Mishawaka; state finals on Feb. 10 at Indiana University Natatorium