Lake Forest Swimmers Count on Campbell's Individual Efforts at Conference Meet

has been a team player for girls’ swimming team throughout her career. 

But she may be ready for her close-up, Mr. DeMille.

This year, Campbell is favored to win a pair of gold medals as the Scouts head into the North Suburban Conference (NSC) meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Vernon Hills High School. 

“I have always put her where we needed her,” said. “This year she had goals to go to state in the 200 IM (individual medley) and 100 fly (butterfly), but she did not have one of the two best times so she’s swimming the 500 free (freestyle) in Sectionals.” 

Campbell, who is seeded first in the league in the 200-yard individual medley, is also eager to produce points for the Scouts. She will swim the 100 butterfly in the league meet where the Scouts have three swimmers in each event. 

“I want to earn points for the team,” Campbell said of her new opportunities. “We’re hoping to win. We won last year and we want to keep the title.

Scouts Wear Favorite Tag

Grevers considers Lake Forest a favorite to win another NSC title. The Scouts are undefeated in dual meet competition against conference foes, including Stevenson and Warren. In addition to Campbell, is favored to swim away to wins in the 200- and 500 freestyle. Mika Hlavin is poised to capture the 100 butterfly. 

Campbell, Stoehr, Hlavin and Lilly Wang are the top seed in the 200 freestyle relay. Grevers expects the quartet of Campbell, Stoehr, Hlavin and Eleanor Meeks to perform better than their fourth seed in the 400 freestyle relay.

“They’re going to surprise everyone,” Grevers said.

Attention Starts to Turn Toward State

The Scouts' biggest obstacle may be their pursuit of a top-five finish at the State Meet, Nov. 18 and 19, at New Trier High School in Winnetka. Last year, Lake Forest took 11th with 25 of its 36 points coming from Stoehr.

All swimmers who have already recorded a time fast enough to qualify for State will not start to taper until Monday. Those who are close to the needed standard are halfway through their taper. Less competitive teams in the league are primed for Saturday. 

“We’re approaching this trying to do the best we can at this point in the season,” Grevers said. “We will step up and show how to win when we are more tired than other teams.” 

Grevers has introduced meditation as a training technique. She hopes it will help the swimmers not only to overcome their training regimen to repeat as league champions, but calm the athletes who have had less experience in settings like the State Meet. 

“I want them to visualize, analyze and clear their minds for what they have to do,” Grevers said. “The competition can be very overwhelming (in the league, Sectional and State Meets). This will help them move forward and be more competitive.”