With three schools united under one lane banner, the West Chicago–Batavia–Geneva girls swim co-op celebrated its seniors with a night that showcased grit, community, and the power of a shared program. On Sept. 11, swimmers on the co-op team come from West Chicago, Batavia, and Geneva—districts that joined forces so athletes from Batavia and Geneva could continue competing in high school despite not having their own pools.
“So we have two standout seniors now,” two-year head coach Sophia Parr said. “Audrey Lindstrom and Clarie Conklin, both have been state qualifiers all three years, which [this year] will be their fourth year trying to qualify for state.”
Both swimmers have been key leaders for the team, consistently setting the pace in practice and pushing their teammates to improve.
During the 500-yard freestyle, one of the longest and toughest races of the night, the swimmers showed how much they support each other. While a few girls competed in the pool, their teammates stood at the edge with lap counters in hand, signaling each turn and shouting encouragement. It was a perfect example of the bond this team shares: always cheering each other on, no matter how long each lap takes.
During the middle of the meet, a break was established to honor the graduating swimmers. Seniors and their parents walked through a pathway of fellow teammates while extended family waved handmade posters and swimmers exchanged tearful hugs.
As per tradition, the evening began with a team chant led by the seniors. The chant brought the whole team together and set the tone for the rest of the night: focused, proud, and full of heart.
The stands were packed with parents, siblings, and friends holding handmade signs and wearing “WEGO Swim” shirts to show their support. Between races, families waved and cheered, capturing photos and videos of every moment. For many parents, it was a proud yet emotional night—watching their daughters close one chapter and prepare to dive into the next. Some had been attending meets for years, and Senior Night served as a reminder of just how far their swimmers had come.
Swimming is not an easy sport: it takes strength, endurance, and an incredible amount of mental focus. The team spends almost every day after school in the pool, repeating laps and kick sets. Even for seniors, the workouts never truly get easier.
From beginning to end, the energy was contagious. Laughter echoed in the locker room as teammates helped each other with caps and goggles, joking to ease nerves before the races. The night wasn’t just about competition; it was a celebration of the friendships built through hard practices and countless laps.
After the final race, tears and laughter mixed as the swimmers gathered for photos and opened senior gifts. As the night ended, one thing was clear: though the seniors’ high school swimming careers may be ending, their impact on the co-op will ripple long after they leave the pool.
As the seniors move on to new chapters, their coach offered a final message. “They have so much to offer the outside world, to really enjoy their life, and to look back, hopefully fondly on their experience,” Coach Parr said.
