John D. Norcross '54 Aquatic Center Earns Rave Reviews From Ramblers

A project conceived more than a decade ago, Loyola’s John D. Norcross ’54 Aquatic Center completed its first full season of competition after the Ramblers hosted three-time defending State Champion Rosary on October 22, 2019 in a Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference dual meet that included varsity and JV swimmers and divers from both programs.
After all of the anticipation, the facility has lived up to the hype, according to Loyola Head Coach and former swimmer Mike Hengelmann ’00. The Ramblers opened the season September 11, 2019 against St. Ignatius College Prep. 
 
“Times have changed,” he said. “It’s obviously a much nicer pool to train and compete in. We have more space, and the two extra lanes allow us to get more swimmers in events.”
 
As the primary component of Phase 1 of the Second Century Campaign, construction started on the facility following the 2017-18 school year. The boys and girls swimming and diving teams and boys and girls water polo teams were without a home pool for the 2018-19 school year. A mass was held and the aquatic center was blessed August 11, 2019, a day before the first practice of the girls swimming and diving season. 
 
Some of the features of the bright and spacious two-story natatorium include eight lanes, two one-meter springboards, wide deck space, a 294-seat spectator balcony and a Colorado Time System scoreboard. 
 
One of the highlights of Senior Night and the final home meet was a video and audio montage that spotlighted and celebrated the program. 
 
“That was amazing,” Hengelmann said. “To be able to do something with that kind of quality is incredible.”
 
The girls’ team has enjoyed success throughout the years, most notably in 2014 when it captured the program’s first state championship. Rachel Ridgeway ’04 won four individual state titles, while Betsy Webb ’08 earned three individual state championships. Elysse Rowland ’08 won two state titles in diving, while Evan Swenson ’13 and Ella Tierney ’17 each own one individual state title. 
 
“We have exceptional athletes, and they deserve to have a facility like this to call home,” Hengelmann said. 
 
Junior Maddy Reed is one of several legacies in the program. Her father, Brian Reed ’97, earned a state medal as a senior and is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
The pool is a source of pride for the program, according to Maddy. 
 
“When St. Ignatius walked in, I could see on their faces how surprised they were,” she said. “It was hard last year, but we tried to stay positive and make the most of the situation. It’s nice to have a home base again, to be able to have our own locker room. It’s even better for it to be this amazing place.”
 
Growing up in Cary, Brian enrolled at Loyola, in part, because of its aquatic reputation. The Ramblers tied for third at the state meet during his junior year. That team was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
 
“I owe a lot to swimming,” he said. “He showed me how to set and achieve goals, how to maintain focus and put myself in a position to be successful. In a lot of ways, I’m where I am today because of it.”
 
Brian took a tour of the aquatic center in early August before the start of the season. 
 
“It’s absolutely gorgeous and light years beyond what we had when I was there,” he said. “It’s awesome the kids get to have a facility like this. They are living a dream, and I’m so grateful Maddy is getting a similar experience to the one that meant so much to me.”
 
Loyola is led by senior captains Molly Ball, Chloe Brown, Stephanie Udzielak and Sophia Visconti. They are four of 18 seniors on the roster. 
 
Hengelmann is high on the program’s potential as the postseason approaches. 
 
“We don’t have some of the big guns we’ve had in the past, but we’ve been competitive,” he said. 
 
Several of the top swimmers, such as Ally Mulvey, Maddy Reed and Kathleen Wannemacher, are non-seniors. All are juniors. Sophomore Annie Leinenweber and freshman Olivia Rucker already have made contributions. 
 
“We are young and are using a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” Hengelmann said. “That’s good for the future.”
 
The Ramblers are preparing themselves for the MCAC meet November 1-2, 2019 at University of Illinois-Chicago. Loyola next competes November 16, 2019 at the Deerfield Sectional. The State Meet is November 22-23 at New Trier. 
 
“This is the fun time of the year when the girls get rested and swim fast,” Hengelmann said. “We are looking to build momentum, starting with conference.”
 
Loyola’s boys swimming and diving team hosts its first meet December 9, 2019 against St. Patrick. The Ramblers have three other home meets on the schedule, including one against defending State Champion St. Charles North on December 14, 2019 and another against St. Ignatius College Prep on December 20, 2019. 
 
Loyola is headlined by senior and two-time individual State Champion Luke Maurer, who’s verbally committed to Stanford. He’s the son of Erik Maurer ’89, a four-time individual State Champion and member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Erik swam at Stanford. 
 
A former swimmer and head coach, Loyola Executive Vice President Dennis Stonequist ’90 remembers the days when the John D. Norcross ‘54 Aquatic Center was nothing more than sketches on a napkin.
 
“It exceeded expectations and is a beacon of light for everyone,” he said. “Whether you swam in 1951 or are a current swimmer now, it’s been a united celebration and a source of pride. It made us realize what we can do with a goal and support. We are continuing to push the envelope.”
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