The champion is back to return her crown.
Milan’s Mary-Kate Wayne, who was named Monroe County Region Girls Swimmer of the Year last fall, is a senior this season for Milan.
Wayne finished fifth at the state finals in the breaststroke last season. She heads the list of the Region’s top swimmers for 2025.
Her team is stalking its 26th consecutive Huron League championship.
A look at the top prospects for all of the Region teams follows.
BEDFORD
Coach: Holly Scheffer, sixth year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Top performers: Lilly Landolt, Samantha Smith, Peyton Prielipp, Sydnee Knaggs.
Season outlook: The Mules are excited about a bigger roster bolstered by a large freshman class.
Coach’s comment: “Looking forward to watching this team bond together as they work hard to get into competition mode. We have some good things ahead.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Sarah Eubanks, 11th year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Lily Ratliff, Lily Homrich; juniors Alexis Colby; sophomore Kim Coon.
Other top performers: Senior Audrey Przybylski, juniors Emma McDaniel, Allie Federer; sophomore Allory Bennett; freshmen Sloan Branum, Quinn Branum.
Season outlook: Ratliff swam in the state finals in three relays last year.
Coach’s comment: “We are a young team this year and are hoping to compete for the SMISL championship.”
ERIE MASON-IDA
Coach: Sacha Moore, eighth year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Other top performers: Seniors Giuliana Nastale, Addy Etue; juniors Alexis Etue, Abby Arnold; freshmen Grace Cureton, Andie Bayles
Season outlook: The Eagles have 16 on the roster this season, including nine returning from last season.
Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of hard-working girls on our team and I’m excited to build on the growth we had last year.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Shannon McNamara, sixth year.
Returning state qualifiers: Riley Chevalier, Aileen McNamara, Ashlin Woodman.
Other top performers: Junior Elizabeth Sparks; sophomores Vanessa Neace, Arianna Faraone, Olivia Harrison; freshmen Sydney Clark, Brinley Carney.
Season outlook: The Rams have their largest roster since beginning the team six years ago.
Coach’s comment: “These girls have already been putting in some hard work. I look forward to seeing that same effort in the water and what goals they accomplish together this season.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Ryan Camilleri, eighth year.
Returning state qualifiers: Kiley Lewandowski, Ashlyn Taylor, Jordan Sikora (400 Freestyle Relay).
Other top performers: Seniors Natalia Gervasi, Ceci Fioritto; juniors Izzy James, Josie Farago.
Season outlook: Carlson returns three of its four state qualifiers and adds in some quality divers along with a strong freshman class.
Coach’s comment: “This is the biggest, most experienced and well-rounded team I’ve had since coaching the girls team here at Carlson. This group has a lot of depth and loves to compete.”
MILAN
Coach: Dan Heikka, 22nd year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Mary-Kate Wayne, Sara Mitchell, Kelsie Gillay, Lila Mckenna; juniors Kaylin Brown, Tori Kimberly; sophomore Evelyn Gill.
Other top performers: Senior Brianna Pumfrey; sophomore Kenleigh Vandergrift; freshmen Avery Hovatter, Afton Presley.
Season outlook: Wayne was the Monroe County Region Girls Swimmer of the Year last year.
Coach’s comment: “We have a great mix of young and more experienced swimmers and divers. Our goal is simply to be the best we can be.”
MONROE
Coach: Erin Dowen, fourth year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Top performers: Seniors Abby Dieckmann, Nicole Rykse, Delani Willey; juniors Sophia Smith, Madi Mahoney; sophomores Blayne Lynch, Emerson Gruber, Morgan Kleinow.
Season outlook: Smith qualified for the Michigan Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association meet in the 50 and 100 freestyle last year.
Coach’s comment: “Our team has so much potential. Many girls have trained in the off season and are pushing hard to reach the goals we’ve set. I’m excited to coach these athletes again- especially our seniors, who were freshman my first season coaching.”
NEW BOSTON HURON-TAYLOR
Coach: Jason Snyder, third year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Other top performers: Seniors Izzy Maitland, Jenna Nieman, Paige Bruning, Alexander Arrington-Harris; juniors-Hope Norris, Brooklyn Ladach; sophomores Airana Ybarra, Peyton Mills.
Season outlook: After losing seven seniors to graduation, newcomers will be called upon to fill in some gaps.
Coach’s comments: “I am very proud to be coaching such a great bunch of girls. They really are each other’s biggest fans. It’s going to be a great season.”
SMCC
Coach: Gretchen Bylow, eighth year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Top performers: Seniors Katelyn Rutkowski, Brigeta Yakoo, Brianna Lynch.
Season outlook: The Kestrels expect leadership from the three seniors.
Coach’s comment: “With four new freshman, I’m excited about our potential.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County girls swimming preview from Monroe county teams
