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Janesville Craig swimmers put goal at five

JANESVILLE — Janesville Craig starts the girls swimming season with several goals in mind.

“The goal is to win five (Big Eight Conference) meets,” Craig High coach Brian Kitzman said. “We want to be the top of the best of the rest.’’

The Big Eight’s Madison West, Madison Memorial, Madison East and Middleton are established state powers. At the 2009 WIAA state meet, East finished second, Memorial fifth and West seventh, while Middleton was 10th and Craig was 23rd.

“We’re willing to take our lumps from the Madison schools,” Kitzman said. “But the goal is to win five (duals).’’

Craig’s next goal is to qualify a relay team for the state meet.

“It’s been a really long time, and it’s possible it never happened,” Kitzman said. “I know Craig has not had a (girls) relay team at state for the past 12 years, for sure.’’

Hailey Schneider finished 10th in the 200 individual medley and fifth in the 100 breaststroke at state last season. Schneider graduated and is swimming for Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

“Hailey was good for 12 points a (dual) meet,” Kitzman said. “We’ll miss her, but we have pretty good swimmers.’’

To help reach Craig’s goals, seniors Irene Chung, Danielle Washington and Chole Gansen will captain the 32 girls on the roster.

Chung swims the 100 freestyle, Washington the 100 and 50 free, and Gansen is the jack-of-all trades.

“Chole is going to do a lot of things,” Kitzman said. “She swims multiple events, but the backstroke is her specialty.’’

Craig’s top juniors include Rachella Bennett, Ashley Fry, Gabby Hardwick, Carly Kjornes, Hailey’s sister, Kali Schneider, Grace van Veldhuisen, Elizabeth Hazekamp, Annika Whitcomb and freshman Kady Gansen.

“We have some decent depth, especially in the duals,” Kitzman said. “That will be a plus.’’

Craig schedule:

AUGUST: 27—At Verona, 5 p.m. 28—Janesville Parker Relays, 11 a.m.

SEPTEMBER: 3—Sun Prairie, 5 p.m.. 10—Beloit Memorial, 5 p.m. 11—Wauwatosa East Invitational, 12:30 p.m. 16—At Madison La Follette, 5 p.m. 24—Madison Memorial, 5 p.m.. 25—Fort Atkinson Invitational, 10 a.m.

OCTOBER: 1—At Middleton, 5 p.m. 8—Janesville Parker, 5 p.m. 15—At Madison East, 5 p.m. 16—Craig Invitational, 10 a.m. 20—At Madison West, 5 p.m. 30—Big Eight Meet, at UW Natatorium, 8 a.m.

NOVEMBER: 6—WIAA sectionals, at Midddleton. 13—WIAA state meet, at UW Natatorium, 3 p.m.