• *Program Information - here ... Link

• *Additional Program Information - here ... Link

• *Training Group Descriptions ... here .. Link

• *Practice Schedule & Locations ...here .. Link

• *Training Group Recommendations for returning swimmers ..here .. Link

• GOOD LUCK AT ZONES!!
The following swimmers will represent Express on TEAM ILLINOIS as they comptete in the Central Zone Swim meet to be held in Wisconsin next weekend...
+Emily Albrecht
+Ellie Benge
+Michael Tegeler
+Melissa Troy
+Beth Vetter
Special Congrats to Zone Coach Wes Ebanks! Go TEAM ILLINOIS! Good Luck!! We are proud of you!! Link

• AGE GROUP STATE RECAP
The meet has been a GREAT one for Express ... one session to go!! Details will be posted soon .. Congratulations Express Swimmers!!

• Congratulations Gabby Sims on your 8th place finish in the 100 Fly at Sectionals!!
Congrats to all on a great meet ...Kate Joyce, Gabbie Serniute, Maddy Sims, Gabby Sims & Daria Wick Link

• REGIONAL CHAMPS TEAM RECAP
52 Medalists!!
New State Cuts!!
Emily Albrecht, Ellie Benge,Alyssa Reinhoz, Melissa Troy, & Beth Vetter.
On the Podium ...Emily Albrecht, Olivia Bechstein, Ani Benge, Ellie Benge, Matt Benge, Mike Cortesio, Ben Ellstrom, Tori Frank, Erica Hagen, Hannah Harvard, Connor Kaplan, Sydney Lydon, Kylie Moser, Alyssa Reinholz, Melissa Troy & Beth Vetter.
Best Times ...
Natalie Costello, Emmet Elisha, Cam Frank, Michael Galvan, Tanner Howland, Gabbie Muzykansky, & Justin Smusz. CONGRATULATIONS!! Link

• Contratulations Gabbie Serniute on your 3rd Place Finish in the 100 meter Freestyle at Senior Champs!!!
New Sectional Cuts: Kate Joyce in the 200 Fly -- Yippee!! Gabbie Serniute in the 50 Free -- Smokin' Fast!!and Maddy Sims in the 100 Back --Lightening Fast!
Great Job, Senior Champ Team:
Emily Albrecht, Kate Joyce, Hannah Kaufmann, Elaina Ricci, Gabbie Serniute, Gabby Sims, Maddy Sims, Daria Wick. Link

• AGE GROUP STATE - JO's (Junior Olympics)
Final Entry here ... Link

• Good Luck at Olympic Trials - Haley Sims & Adrienne Bicek
We are so proud of you!! Go Express!!

• Our entry for the Hinsdale Mid-Summer Meet has been accepted!! here is the entry.. Link

• For those on the senior team participating in XSport, our schedule for the next two weeks and our new summer schedule are posted here... Link

• SUMMER PROGRAMS begin on June 11th!!
New this Summer -
* EXPRESS SWIM SCHOOL - Learn-to-Swim for ages 5 & Over (details available shortly)
* AQUA-FIT - A summer fitness program for middle school and high school students
It's not too late to register .. Program & Registration information is here ... Link

• EXPRESS TOP LC TIMES
Season's Best Long Course Times Listing here (updated 5/28/12).. Link

• St. Charles Pentathlon Recap
Congratulations to all on a great "first long course meet of the season". Top 10 finishers in their age groups were:
Alyssa Reinholz-Age 13 - 7:58.60 (7th place)
Daria Wick-Age 14 - 8:06.07 (8th place)
Maddie Sims- Age 15&O - 7:29.60 (5th place Trophy)

• Meet Update
Our entry for the Arlington Meet was NOT accepted.

• VERY IMPORTANT SWIM MEET SIGN-UP INFO
We have a few meets on our schedule that require an IMMEDIATE response if you are interested in attending them.
*International Invitational - Ft. Lauderdale - Reservations are due to Swim Ft. Lauderdale now. If you are interested in attending this meet - respond via online entry or email Judy Busse. Note: this meet has qualifying times.
*Mundelein Meet at the RecPlex... Mudelein is accepting reservations for this mid-June meet at this time. There is still space available and our reservation will go in 4/9.
*Westmont Swim Club "Dive into Summer" meet sign-up is due by 4/18.
Thank you for your quick response.

• REGISTRATION INFORMATION
SPRING & SUMMER PROGRAMS are underway.. It's not too late to join the fun!
Program information and registration forms are here: Link

• EXPRESS TECHNIQUE SCHOOL
Don't Miss out - Spring & Summer Program Details & Registration form are linked here .. Link

• GREAT JOB AT AGE GROUP STATE CHAMPS!!! Bob Bonanno finishes in 3rd & 5th in the 50 & 100 Free !! Daria Wick get NCSA Junior Cut & Bonus in the 100 & 200 Fly !!! Congratulations to all swimmers on a great meet! Detailed recap is here ... Link

• CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR STATE CHAMPION, GABBY SIMS!!
Gabby Swims wins TWO events - 100 Backstroke & 50 Free!!! Congratulations to all ... Detailed recap is here Link

• CONGRATULATIONS on an Outstanding Regional Swim Meet!!!
***15 NEW State Cuts!!
***Over 60 Swimmers on the Podium to receive Medals!!
Congratulstions to All .. Detailed Recap is here .. Link

• EXPRESS TOP TIMES
Season Best Times Listing is here. Updated 3.13.12 Link

• Championship Season is almost here!!
Congratulations to all swimmers achieving cuts thus far. Cuts are listed under the "entry" link on the meet page for the following meets: Regional Champs, Senior Championships, Age Group State, Speedo Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Please double check your cuts. Contact Judy Busse with any errors.

• DGN DROP-OFF & PICK-UP INFO
We have received notice from North High regarding new instructions for drop-off & pick-up ...
*All athletes must be picked up in the West lot off of Prince Street. Parents and students have been waiting in "no parking" zones off of Prince and Grant Streets.
*The Police are monitoring this activity and will be ticketing those who are in violation.
*This area is becoming very dangerous for our students.
*We know old habits are hard to break, but we need to do our best to help the situation.

• Please review the new policy for rental groups utilizing Downers Grove South facilities. Link

• We would like to welcome to Express, USA Swimming Master Coach Ed Spencer! Ed will be visiting us Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Nov 21-23. He is here to meet our coaches, swimmers, and parents to give us an outside perspective and suggest ways to improve our program! This is an amazing opportunity and we're honored to be chosen for this prestigious program! Be sure you're at practice next week, you won't want to miss him!

• CONGRATULATIONS EXPRESS SWIMMERS on an Outstanding High School State Meet!!
*GABBY SIMS (DGN) - **STATE CHAMPION** 100 Backstroke!!Also, 8th-100 Butterfly
*MADDY SIMS (DGN) - 5th-200 Free; 12th-100 Butterfly
*DGN 400 Free Relay - 4th - Gabriele Serniute, Maddy Sims, Hannah Kaufmann, Gabby Sims
*DGN 200 Free Relay - 6th - Emily Albrecht, Maddy Sims, Gabriele Serniute, Gabby Sims
*ERIN STEVENS (NCHS) - 12th-200 Free Relay; 13th-Medley Relay; 20th-400 Free Relay
*GABRIELE SERNIUTE (DGN) - 34th-50 Free; 44th-100 Free
*EMILY ALBRECHT (DGN) - 38th-50 Free

• THE EXPRESS FAMILY LOGIN SYSTEM is now "live"...
All Express families should have received an announcement email with instructions on how to access the system. If you did not receive notification, please confirm your email address with Judy Busse. Additionally, meet invitations have been sent for the following meets:
Speedo Invite (1/6-8/12)
Circle City Classic (1/27-29/12)
Claire Statton Memorial (1/27-29/12)
FOX Winter Classic (2/10-12/12)
Login to confirm your participation in these meets.

• SESSION 2 BEGINS on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14th ... All Express programs will begin their 2nd Session sometime during the week of Nov. 14th. Novice through High School - there's a program for you! Join us .. we would love to have you on our team. Program information and Registration materials are here. Link

• Meet Update:
+Express Winter Classic has been MOVED TO NORTH HIGH.. entries are posted on the meet page.
+Our entry has been accepted for the Elmhurst Meet - entries are posted on the meet page.

• Express Winter Classic
December 3-4 2011
Downers Grove South HS
UPDATED CORRECTED EVENTS
Meet Packet & Information Link

• CORRECTED EVENTS
Express Winter Classic Event Set-up file Link

• SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to Kim Mozdzierz-Frank!!
Kim is one of only two Illinois Swimming officials selected to particpate in a National level USA Swimming Officials Training seminar. The seminar will take place this weekend in Dallas, Texas. Congratulations and Thank-you, Kim for all that you do for Express and Illinois Swimming!!

• NEWS FLASH !!!!!!
GABBY SIMS NAMED TO JAPAN TRIP!!
Congratulations to Gabby Sims who has just been named to the NCSA All-American roster and will represent the USA in competiton in Osaka, Japan, September 20-26th. Congratulations, Gabby on your first International Competition - we are sooooo proud of you!!

• Central Zones and Junior Nationals - next competitions for Express Swimmers
*Contratulations and Good Luck to the following Express swimmers set to compete this weekend in INDY at Zones:
Connor Kaplan, Alyssa Reinholz, Daria Wick and Gabriele Serniute. Special Congratulations to Coach Wes Ebanks who has been selected to coach the 11-12's at this All-Star TEAM ILLINOIS meet!!
*GABBY SIMS will be competing in Palo Alto, CA at the upcoming Junior National Championship meet. Good Luck, GABBY!!!

• REINHOLZ PUTS EXPRESS ON THE PODIUM !!!
Alyssa Reinholz swam to two medal-awarding finishes this past weekend at the Age Group state meet placing 5th in the 50 Free and 7th in the 100 Back. Congratulations Alyssa!!
Scoring points for Express:
Connor Kaplan-10th-100 Free; 13th-100 Fly; 16th-50 Fly
Gabriele Serniute-11th-200 Free; 11th-50 Free; 15th-100 Fly
Daria Wick-11th-100 Fly; 15th-200 Fly
400 Free Relay-7th - Serniute, Ricci, Hagan, Wick
800 Free Relay-13th - Wick, Ricci, Hagan, Serniute
STATE TEAM MEMBERS:
+Ellie Benge
+Matt Benge
+Mike Cortesio
+Erica Hagen
+Connor Kaplan
+Carrie Lake
+Kylie Moser
+Gabbie Muzykansky
+Alyssa Reinholz
+Elaina Ricci
+Gabriele Serniute
+Mike Tegeler
+Melissa Troy
+Daria Wick
Congratulations on a 33rd place team finish! Link

• FANTASTIC REGIONAL CHAMPS MEET!!
Congratulations to All-
Medalists:
Elaina Ricci-1st-100 Breast, 200 Free & 100 Free (also State Cuts!!); 2nd-200 Breast; 5th-200 IM
Mike Tegeler-1st-400 IM; 2nd-500 Free; 3rd-100 Back; 4th-100 Fly; 6th-1-- Free & 200 IM
Matt Benge-1st-100 Fly; 2nd-50 Fly;4th-100 Free; 5th-50 Free & 200 Free
Charlie Kaufmann-1st-50 Fly & 100 Free; 2nd-50 Free; 2rd-100 Fly; 4th-200 Free; 7th-50 Back
Mike Cortesio-2nd-400 IM; 7th-100 Back;
Daria Wick-3rd-200 Back; 6th-50 Free & 200 Free
Maura Towey-4th-500 Free; 6th-200 Back & 200 Free; 8th-100 Free
Steph Selvage-5th-100 Back; 7th-50 Free
Sydney Lydon-5th-400 IM;
Tori Frank-6th-1000 Free; 7th-500 Free
Ellie Benge-6th-500 Free
Jen Gockman-6th-500 Free;
Erica Hagen-6th-500 Free
Connor Kaplan-7th-50 Back
Claire Schoenberger-8th-100 Breast
Alyssa Reinholz-8th-50 Breast
Full Results here .. Link

• STATE CHAMPS!! Congratulations to the 400 Free Relay team of Maddy Sims, Hannah Kaufman, Gabriele Serniute, & Gabby Sims on their first place finish at the Senior Champ Meetbr Loads of season best times ... Regional Cuts .. and State Cuts at the St. Charles meet All that hard work is truly paying offQ!!

• EXPRESS OFFICIALS ROCK!!
Congratulations to Bill Vetter and Kim Mozdzierz-Frank on receiving their N2 - National Certification in both Stroke & Turn and Chief Judge!! N2 certification is the first National level cerrification for a position and recognizes that an official has been evaluated and is experienced and capable of working the position at Sectional, Zone, Grand Prix and similar higher profile meets.
Thank you for your time and commitment to both Express and the sport of swimming ... your are both Rock Stars, for sure!!!

• LONG COURSE TOP TIMES
updated 8.1.11 Link

• SHORT COURSE TOP TIMES
updated 8.1.11 Link

• EXPRESS SWIMMERS & COACHES INVITED TO ATTEND CAMPS!!
National Team and National Youth Team Coaches Clinic held at the Olympic Training Center - Colorado Springs:
-Greg Busse

Illinois Senior Elite Meet held at the Olympic Training Center - Colorado Springs:
-Haley Sims
-Gabby Sims
-Maddy Sims
-Judy Busse

Illinois Junior Elite Camp:
-Michael Tegeler
-Wes Ebanks
Congratulations to all Express Swimmers and Coaches on your selection!!

• SWIM MEET UPDATE - Entries are posted on the Meet Page
+Barrington 8 & Under Meet - Our entry has been accepted
+Joliet Dr. Pepper Meet - Our entry has been accepted
+West Chicago - Our entry has been accepted
+Hinsdale Mid-Summer - Our entry has been accepted.

• ONLINE MEET REGISTRATION
Invitations have been sent out for the following meets
*St. Charles Endless Summer Qualifier

• Spring & Summer Program Brochure is here! Link

• JR NATIONAL RESULTS
Express Women finished in a tie (with Academy) for 13th place ... The highest womens finish for Illinois!! HALEY SIMS & GABBY SIMS have podium swims!! Congratulations on an OUTSTANDING meet! Recap is here ... Link

• AGE GROUP CHAMP RESULTS
Congratulations to MIKE TEGELER and ALYSSA REINHOLZ on their medal performances at State! We are proud of you! Congratulations to all swimmers on a GREAT meet!! Team recap is here .. Link

• SENIOR CHAMP RESULTS
Wonem finish in 5th Place ... Express finishes in 7th place for Combined Team!! HALEY SIMS - DOUBLE STATE CHAMP!! ..GABBY SIMS - Quadruple Medalist!! Congratulations to all! Recap is here .. Link

• BRIDGE from Short Course to Long Course!
Our Spring program will begin on Monday, April 4th (detailed information to follow) and we are award that many of you are interested in continuing your training through our 3-week break. The Bridge Program is for you!! Bridge details are here! Link

• REGIONAL RESULTS & RECAP
Congratulations to all Regional swimmers on an outstanding meet! Great swims!! ... State Cuts!! ... On the Podiium!! We are proud of you!! Recap is here .. Link

• EXPRESS TOP TIMES
Check the link for the ranking of all season-best times. Also included are the Motivational Time Standards; Regional and State Qualifying times; and Express Team Records. 3/20 Link

• CONGRATULATIONS COACH GREG AND MEGHAN on the birth of LUCILLE LEIGH BUSSE!!! Lucy is beautiful and absolutely perfect! She was born late in the afternoon, 4:00 PM, on Monday, December 27th and weighs 7 pounds, 5 ounces... 21 inches long. All are doing well.

• Renewal information for current members interested in the third session for Blue Ribbon and Super Squad is here .. Link

• ALL-STATE RECOGNITION - Illinois HS Swimming Association announced their All-State Award winners at their banquet this week.
+Congratulations Haley Sims!! - Senior Swimmer of the Year!
First Team All State:
+Medley Relay - Gabby Sims, Allison Soper, Haley Sims, Maddy Sims
+Haley Sims - 200 IM and 100 Butterfly
+Gabby Sims - 100 Free and 100 Back
+400 Free Relay - Gabby Sims, Jen Gockman, Maddy Sims, Haley Sims
+Sectional Coach of the Year - Judy Busse
+Illinois Coach of the Year - Judy Busse
Congratulations to Express swimers on an outstanding high school season.

• CONGRATULATIONS HS SWIMMERS on an OUTSTANDING STATE MEET! We are very proud of you!!
*DGN - Medley Relay - STATE CHAMPS & STATE RECORD! Gabby Sims, Allison Soper, Haley Sims, Maddy Sims (3:44.15)
*DGN - Haley Sims - STATE CHAMP - 200 IM (2:01.27)
*DGN - Haley Sims - STATE CHAMP - 100 Butterfly (53.83p, 54.68f)
*DGN - Gabby Sims - 2nd Place - 100 Free (51.09)
*DGN - Gabby Sims - 2nd Place - 100 Backstroke (55.82)
*DGN - 400 Free Relay - 3rd Place - Haley Sims, Jen Gockman, Maddy Sims, Gabby Sims (3:29.77)
*Benet - 400 Free Relay - Maddi Webb - 13th
*Benet - Taylor Lifka - Medley Relay - 14th
*DGN - Maddy Sims - 500 Free - 16th (5:03.80)
*Benet - 200 Free Relay - Taylor Lifka, Maddi Webb - 16th
*DGN - Allison Soper - 100 Breast - 17th - (1:07.12)
*DGN - Maddy Sims - 200 IM - 17th - (2:08.69)
*Benet - Maddi Webb - 200 Free - 19th (1:54.80)
*Benet - Maddi Webb - 100 Free - 19th - (53.33)
*DGN - 200 Free Relay - 25th - Jen Gockman, Allison Soper, Hannah Kaufmann, Marie Sandacz (1:40.53)
*Glenbard W - Katie Roeing - 100 Back (1:00.58)
*Benet - Taylor Lifka - 100 Butterfly - 35th (59.65)

• 2011 Age Group State Qualifying Time Standards have been released. Set your goals high!! Link

• 2011 Age Group Regional Qualifying Times have been released. Check them out! Link

• NEWS FLASH!!!
Haley Sims is named Illinois Swimming's FEMALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR!!
This is the highest award given to any Illinois athlete by Illinois Swimming. Haley had the highest FINA point total of ANY female Illinois swimmer! FINA points are calculated based on times performed in all events. Congratulations, Haley ... we are proud of you!!

• Have a GREAT year ... Express Class of 2010!!
Elliott Bachelder- Miami of Ohio**
Alex Barylowicz-Loyola Univ.
Lisa Boyce- Princeton**
Emma Buckley- Notre Dame
David Conrad
Cat Cortesio-Naval Academy**
Zach Heilman-Monmouth College**
Caitlin Landry-Univ. of Illinois
Jake Mueller- Coast Guard Academy**
John Nelson- Univ. of Illinois
Uttam Rajan- Univ. of Illinois
Jada Smith- Eastern Illinois Univ.**
Kate Smith- Hillsdale College**
Alexis Spivak-Univ. of Missouri**
Amanda Take-Luther College**
Ellen Wiese-Grand Valley State**
Emily Wilkinson-Univ. of Illinois**
**Swimming in College

• NEWS FLASH!!
Haley Sims has been named to the Junior Pan Pacific Team!! Haley will be competing Aug 26-29th in Maui, Hawaii. This event features the top National Youth Teams from the Pacific Rim including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zeland, South America, Hong Kong, Japan and others. Twenty men and twenty women have been selected to represent the USA in this competition. Congratulations, Haley .. Good Luck! We are very proud of you!!

• National Meet Results .. Congratulations, Adrienne, Haley and Lisa on your outstanding performances at Nationals!!
Conoco-Phillips National Championships - Irvine, CA
*Adrienne Bicek: 200 Fly-17th, 400 Free-48th, 100 Fly-64th, 400 IM-73rd

Junior National Championships - Irvine, CA
*Haley Sims: 100 Fly-2nd, 50 Free-8th, 200 IM-22nd, 200 Fly-36th, 100 Free-37th, 200 Free-48th
*Lisa Boyce: 100 Free-8th, 200 Free-16th, 100 Back-50th, 50 Free-54th, 100 Fly-61st, 200 Back-134th

• Express Swimmers represent Illinois at Central Zone Championships!!
Congratulations to Ellie Benge, Kierston Farley-Sepe, Kate Joyce, Mike Tegeler and Daria Wick on an outstanding meet!!
*Kierston Farley-Sepe: 200 Free-1st, 200 IM-2nd, 50 Fly-3rd, 100 Fly-3rd, 50 Free-4th, 50 Back-7th Link

• Age Group State Championship -
Great Job Express Swimmers!!
*Ellie Benge: 100 FY-5th
*Kierston Farley-Sepe: 50 Fly-1st; 100 Fly-2nd; 50 Free-3rd, 50 Back-3rd, 200 IM-3rd
*Frank Errichiello: 100 Back-16th
*Kate Joyce: 200 Back-13th, 100 Back-14th
*Gabby Sims: 50 Free-1st, 100 Free-1st, 100 Fly-1st, 200 Free-2nd, 100 Back-2nd, 200 Fly-2nd
*Maddy Sims: 200 Free-1st, 400 Free-1st, 200 Fly-1st, 200 IM-2nd, 400 IM-2nd, 100 Free-4th
*Mike Tegeler: 200 Free-13th, 100 Free-15th, 50 Free-16th
Relays: 13-14 Girls
400 Medley (Joyce, Arand, Sims, Sims)-4th
800 Free Relay (Sims, Joyce, Daria Wick, Sims)-5th
400 Free Relay (Sims, Wick, Joyce, Sims)-7th

• Congratulations Senior Swimmers !!
Express Women finish in 1st Place at the Illinois Senior State Meet!! Combined Men & Women - 2nd Place!!Women set a STATE RECORD in the 400 Free Relay!
*Elliott Bachelder: 200 Fly-15th
*Adrienne Bicek: 400 Free-1st, 800 Free-1st, 200 Fly-1st, 400 IM-1st, 200 Free-2nd, 200 IM-2nd
*Lisa Boyce: 100 Free-2nd, 200 Free-4th, 100 Back-6th, 50 Free-9th, 200 Back-9th
*Peter Errichiello: 100 Back-10th
*Vince Errichiello: 400 IM-4th, 200 IM-8th, 100 Back-9th, 200 Back-11th, 100 Fly-15th
*Mike Reed: 50 Free-4th, 100 Free-11th, 100 Breast-11th
Gabby Sims-50 Free-6th
*Haley Sims: 100 Fly-2nd, 200 Fly-3rd, 200 IM-3rd, 100 Free-4th, 100 Back-9th, 200 Free-10th
*Maddy Sims-400 IM-5th
*Alexis Spivak: 100 Fly-14th, 200 Free-16th
*Emily Wilkinson: 400 IM-7th, 200 Fly-14th, 100 Fly-15th
Relays: Womens: 800 Free-1st, 400 Medley-1st, 400 Free-1st (State Record: Bicek, Boyce, G. Sims, H. Sims)
Mens: 400 Medley-5th, 400 Free-8th

• HALEY SIMS IS GOING TO IRELAND!! At the recent NCSA Junior National Swim Meet, Haley qualifited to represent the United States at the Irish National Swim Meet. Haley was named to the NCSA All-Star Team based on her performance in the 100 Butterfly. The long course meet will take place April 29-May 2 in Dublin, Ireland. GREAT JOB, HALEY!

• CONGRATULATIONS MADDY SIMS!! Maddy will be one of only 3 Illinois 12 and 13 year old girls to participate in the upcoming CENTRAL ZONE SELECT CAMP! The camp will be held at Miami University in Oxford, OH on May 27-30. Maddy qualified based on her outstanding performance in the 200 Butterfly. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, MADDY!

• AGE GROUP STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Congratulations Express swimmers on a fantastic meet! The Girls finished in 8th Place! Combined Scoring - Express Finished in 18th! Way to Go!! Here's the recap .. Link

• Congratulations Senior Champ Swimmers!!
What a GREAT MEET! Express finished in 7th Place in the Combined Scoring and the Girls finished in 3rd Place. Special Congratulations to 100 Butterfly State Champion Haley Sims!! Check-out the results here .. Link

• Express Swimmers have a GREAT Regional Meet!!!
31 Swimmers...
141 Swims...
37 Medals!!
18 STATE CUTS !!
Woo-Hoo!! Congratulations to all and Good Luck at State!

• Congratulations Express swimmers on an Outstanding High School State Meet!!!
*Mike Reed - DGN - 6th - 50 Free; 12th - 100 Free
*Vince Errichiello - DGS - 9th - 200 IM; 14th Backstroke
*Elliott Bachelder - Benet - 21st- 100 Butterfly
*Jake Mueller - DGS - 29th - 100 Butterfly
*Alex Barylowicz - DGN- 36th - 100 Breast
*DGS- 200 Free Relay- 16th - V. Errichiello, Jake Mueller
*DGN-200 Free Relay - 17th - Alex Matuzewich, Umesh Rajan, Mike Reed
*DGN-200 Medley Relay - 23rd - Mike Reed
*Benet - 200 Medley Relay - 30th-Elliott Bachelder
DGN - 21st - 11 points
DGS - 22nd - 10 points

• CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON IS HERE!!
Just a few reminders regarding participation in Championship meets (Regionals, State and Beyond!!) .. Our contract with Speedo requires that ALL of our athletes are outfitted in Speedo gear when competing or on the Award stand. This means team suits or legal Speedo Tech suits-only and Express/Speedo-logo caps. Deck-wear - Express/Speedo-logo team shirts and Team warm-ups for the award stand. We have a short time to make sure all Express swimmers competing are "good-to-go". Check-out the Swimmers Edge link for team discounts if you need to order or replace Express-Wear.

• Congratulations Express Swimmers on a fantastic High School State Meet!!
*Haley Sims - DGN - 2nd - 200 Free; 2nd - 100 Fly
*Alexis Spivak - DGS - 5th - 100 Fly
*Cat Cortesio - Benet - 12th - 100 Fly
*DGN Medley Relay - 10th - Emily Wilkinson, Kate Smith, Haley Sims & Emma Buckley.
Congratulations on an outstanding season!!

• NEWS FLASH!! ...ADRIENNE BICEK named Illinois Swimming's 2009 FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR!! This top honor goes to the best finish of any Illinois swimmer at the highest level National meet. Adrienne finished in 7th place at the World Championship Trials.
Special Congratulations to Express Swimmers Peter Errichiello, Vince Errichiello, Haley Sims and Alexis Spivak for recognition as Illinois' Top Swimmers in their respective age groups! Way to go EXPRESS!!

• We have just received word that HALEY SIMS will be added to the Scholastic All-America list due to a snafu error that has been corrected!! CONGRATULATIONS to Express swimmers, Vince Errichiello Adrienne Bicek and Haley Sims, for receiving the USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Award. Recepients must have a 3.5 GPA and have achieved a Junior National Bonus time to be recognized. We are proud of you!!!

• More great news from Washington ... Haley Sims makes it back in the 50 Free and finishes in 24th posting another sub-27 second swm !! THAT'S FAST !!

• News Flash from Junior Nationals in Washington!!
HALEY SIMS qualifies for "BIGS" in the 100 Fly ... and finishes in 8th! Congratulations!!

• Central Zone Results!! - Congratulations Express Swimmers on a GREAT meet:
*Cat Cortesio: 100 Fly-1st; 100 Fly-2nd; 50 Free-2nd; 100 Free-2nd; 400 Free-5th;
*Vince Errichiello: 100 Back-3rd; 200 Back-3rd; 200 IM-3rd; 400 IM-3rd; 50 Free-7th
*Peter Errichiello: 100 Back-4th; 100 Breast-11th; 200 Medley Relay-1st

• Day 3 Results from Age Group State:
Peter Errichiello - 9th - 200 BK
Maddy Sims - 5th - 200 Fly
Gabby Sims - 7th - 100 Free, 11th - 200 Fly
400 Free Relay - 12th - Sims, Sims, Jen Gockman, Kate Joyce
Contratulations everyone - Team Finish - 20th Place

• Day 2 at Age Group State ... another GREAT one!!
Elaina Ricci - 8th - 50 Free
Gabby Sims - 7th - 50 Free, 12th - 100 BK
Peter Errichiello - 2nd - 100 Back, 6th - 50 Free
Maddy Sims - 8th - 200 IM, 10th - 400 Free
Taylor Lifka - 10th - 200 BR
400 Medley Relay - 12th - Kate Joyce, Lifka, Sims, Sims

• Age Group State Day 1 recap:
Peter Errichiello - 5th - 200 BR
Maddy Sims - 6th - 200 FR
Gabby Sims - 7th - 300 FR, 8th - 100 Fly
Elaina Ricci - 12th - 200 Free
800 Free Relay - 7th - Sims, Taylor Lifka, Kate Joyce, Sims
Congratulations!!

• Good Luck at Age Group State!!
Peter Errichiello, Jen Gockman, Kate Joyce, Courtney Kaminski, Taylor Lifka, Riley McDaniel, Elaina Ricci, Gabby Sims, Maddy Sims, Gabrielle Veselik and Daria Wick. We know you will do well! Go Express!!

• RYAN DOWNEY MEDALS AT SPEEDO CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Congratulations, Ryan, on your two 5th place finishes in the 800 and 1500 Free!! The Sectional Team of Emma Buckley, Cat Cortesio, Downey, Vince Errichiello, Morgan Piasecki, Mike Reed, Colleen Webb and Emily Wilkinson had a GREAT MEET!! Ryan also picked up his Junior National cut in the 800 Free and will join HALEY SIMS and ALEXIS SPIVAK in Federal Way, Washington at the Junior National Championships in mid-August. Good Luck - GO EXPRESS!! Link

• EXPRESS WOMEN ARE SENIOR STATE CHAMPIONS!!! Team finishes in 3rd in Combined Men/Women scores for the long course meet!!! Congratuations to all particapants - it was a total team effort!!!

• ADRIENNE BICEK PLACES 7th AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS!!! Adrienne closes out her Express Swim Team career with a fantastic 7th place finish in the 200 Butterfly. Thank You Adriennne for positively representing Express on the National and International sceenes. We know you will do fantatic things at the University of Georgia. We are proud of you. Good Luck ... Go Dawgs!!

• REGIONAL RECAP ... By the numbers ... 36 athletes .. 159 swims .. 115 season best times .. 80 medals .. 19 state cuts by 10 different swimmers. OUTSTANDING JOB! Congratulations to all!!

• BICEK WINS THE BRONZE!! In the first day of competition at the Junior Pan Pacs in Guam, Adrienne Bicek swims to a bronze medal in the 200 Meter Butterfly ... her first international competition medal!! Check out the pictures in the SwimCam ... Link

• Good Luck Adrienne Bicek!! Adrienne will be representing the USA as she competes in the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Guam. We are PROUD of you!!

• CONTRATULATIONS ADRIENNE BICEK !!! Results from the Short Course National Meet in Atlanta ...
200 IM - 18th Place - 2:00.61
100 Fly - 18th Place - 54.51
200 Fly - 4th Place - 1:56.99
We are PROUD of you!!

• Congratulations to the following EXPRESS swimmers who were recognized at the Illinois Swimming Award Banquet ... to Adrienne Bicek who received the Breakthrough Female Swimmer of the Year Award!! .. Top Times Recognition: Adrienne Bicek, Ryan Downey, Peter Errichiello, Vince Errichiello, Gabby Sims, Haley Sims and Maddy Sims. We are proud of you!!

• Congratulations Express Senior Champ Team!! First Place for the Women and Third Place Overall! Way to go team!
Results: Link

• Speedo Sectional Recap: Haley Sims swam to a Junior National Cut in the 100 Fly! Ryan Downey is the High Point for Express - 3rd - 1500, 5th - 800, 10th - 400. Lexi Spivak, Vince Errichiello & Kayla Redig post Excellent Swims.

• Congratulations Adrienne Bicek on an outstanding Olympic Trials meet. Seeded 101st, Adrienne finished in 42nd place in the 200 M Butterfly in a personal best time of 2:15.13. Adrienne also clocked personal best times in both the 100 M Fly and the 400 M IM. Contratulations!

• NEWS FLASH !!!! ADRIENNE BICEK QUALIFIES FOR THE OLYMPIC TRIALS in Omaha ... Congratulations to Adrienne on an OUTSTANDING performance in the 200 Fly capturing her Trial cut with a time of 2:16.46. WE ARE SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!! Press Release Link