By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
A good team is likely going to remain good or get even better, if all goes according to plan this season for the Burlington Combined girls swimming team.
Burlington Combined is comprised of Burlington, Burlington Catholic Central, East Troy, Union Grove and Waterford. The team practices and holds home meets at the Aurora Burlington Wellness Center.
The Demons finished second behind champion Lake Geneva Badger last season in the Southern Lakes Conference. The Demons finished 6-1 in SLC dual meets.
Burlington also finished second in the WIAA Division 1 Greenfield Sectional and sent swimmers to state in five events.
According to coach Denita Jones, BC will be competitive again this season.
“We are one of the top three teams in the conference,” Jones said.
Returning juniors DeAnn Jones and Olivia Wanasek qualified for state last season. Each swam on the Demons’ 200-yard freestyle relay with Sara Wanasek and Ellie Petrie. The relay finished 19th in 1:42.70.
Olivia Wanasek finished 20th in the 100 backstroke (1:00.17).
Sara Wanasek, Petrie and Kaley Brown graduated from last year’s squad. Brown swam at state on the Demons’ 400 freestyle relay with Petrie and Olivia and Sara Wanasek, which finished 20th (3:44.70).
“I’m hoping we can pick up the slack this year and cover for those three seniors we lost,” Denita Jones said.
DeAnnJones, Olivia Wanasek and Kristin Goetzke, all juniors, are part of a strong contingent of upperclassmen. Denita Jones said BC returns 12 seniors.
“All those 12 girls have swam with me since they were freshman,” Denita Jones said. “It will make for a fun year. We should have a good time this year.”
Denita Jones said 10 freshmen are also in the mix, and said she expects two – Jenna Hotvedt and Leah Zinnen – to contribute immediately.
Denita Jones said BC’s numbers are at 36 swimmers, which is significantly better than some in the SLC.
“In our conference, it is,” Denita Jones said. “We swim among some teams that don’t even have 20 girls on their team.”
The conference’s alignment for swimming consists of BC, Elkhorn, Delavan-Darien, Lake Geneva Badger, Platteville/Lancaster, Jefferson/Cambridge, Whitewater and Edgerton.
The Demons open their season Aug. 28 with the SLC Relays at Elkhorn High School.
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