Girls swim & dive eyes state appearance after missing out for the first time in school history

Although the Evanston Girls’ Swimming and Diving team didn’t qualify a swimmer for state for the first time that coach Kevin Auger can recall, the former Olympian swimmer is expecting major things from his team this fall, due in part to a strong incoming senior class.

“We’re really looking at our [senior] captains to take big strides this year. They’re not just leaders in terms of ‘rah-rah’ stuff; they’re really leaders in just how fast they can swim,” says Auger.

With a large graduating class in the spring, Auger is turning to senior co-captains Monroe Stroth, Elise Pollack, and twins Abby and Riley Romisher to bring the Kits back to the FMC Natatorium in the postseason. Pollack is ready for the challenge to not only make it back to state, but for the responsibility she has as a captain.

“We lost some seniors [this spring] but I think we can definitely make up for that. We have some incoming freshmen that are also going to be pretty good and play a crucial role on our team,” Pollack states. “As captain, I think I want to work on getting to know each other better. Underclassmen are usually shy, and we want to get involved in making the team closer. I’m excited to see everyone and meet new faces.”

That sense of community within the program is the reason why Auger swam in the first place, which is what he’s trying to instill within the swimmers.

“As much as it was my goal to make the Olympics, and obviously it was great, that wasn’t why I swam. I swam because my friends were there. And that’s kind of what I brought here. It’s not just about making State,” Auger laughs.

“What you’re going to remember years from now is the person swimming next to you day after day. That’s what I’ve tried to bring to my coaching here in terms of team culture.”