Gator Gazette

Congratulations to our Summer 2025 Championship Team! Your hard work has paid off! After wrapping up a successful summer regional meet in Elgin, the Gators are conquering Age Group and Senior State these upcoming weekends in Westmont (FMC Natatorium) and Lincolnshire (Stevenson HS)! Wish our State team luck and some fast swims!

Regionals:

Julia Adamczyk, Prayag Bakre, Samantha Cielak, Cullen Erickson, Andrew Flight, Owen Geli, Kaitlin Greiss, Diana Gruszeczka, Lauren Hager, Brady Kirkiris, Robert Laszlo, Andrew Lindstrom, Sophiea Matsuk, Vanessa Nawala, Isabella Nordmark, Brooklyn Nordmark, Savannah Nordmark, Clare O'Neill, Kuba Pamula, Tom Pamula, Amelia Redel, Quentin Redel, Elise Schramm, Colin Tatak, Owen Tatak, Jonah Veltman, and Riley Veltman

Age Group State:

Julia Adamczyk, Prayag Bakre, Brady Kirkiris, Vanessa Nawala, Izzy Nordmark, Savannah Nordmark, Angel Reband, and Elise Schramm

Senior State:

Andrew Flight and Kuba Pamula

Thank you to all who supported and showed their Alligator Aquatics spirit in the Arlington Heights 4th of July Parade!

Alligator Aquatics has a long tradition of producing top-tier collegiate-level athletes. Read more about current and former Alligators who are currently or recently competed at the collegiate level.

Alex Santiago – Southern Illinois University (Men’s Swimming & Diving, D-I)

Alex, a Buffalo Grove native and former Alligator Aquatics standout, has emerged as a top-tier sprinter at Southern Illinois. In the 2024‑25 season (Senior year), he was named MVC Swimmer of the Year and First-Team All‑MVC, earning the title of Missouri Valley Conference Most Outstanding Swimmer, and was recognized as MVC Swimmer of the Week not less than four times. At the NCAA Championships, he competed in the 50‑yard freestyle, 100‑yard freestyle, and notably turned in a 45.11 in the 100 fly, resetting his own SIU and MVC record in prelims. He also holds MVC and SIU program and pool records in individual and relay sprint events (50 free, 100 free, 100 fly, and relays).

Andrew Flight – Saint Louis University (Men’s Swimming & Diving, D-I)

Andrew, from Hersey High School and formerly of Alligator Aquatics, is now swimming for SLU as a junior after two seasons of steady development. Across both the 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 seasons, he made the A‑10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and competed in seven meets each year. In club swimming, he set several Alligator Aquatics records in the open 200 LCM breaststroke, open 200 SCY breaststroke, and the 13‑14 100 SCY breaststroke. At Hersey HS, he was MVP, school-record holder (100 breast, 200 medley relay), and a three‑year captain.

Dominick Perkowski – Ball State University (Men’s Swimming & Diving, D-I)

Dom, swimming with Alligator Aquatics and formerly with Lake Park HS, committed to continue his academic and swimming career at Ball State University. Prior to that, he had strong performances at Speedo Sectionals and Illinois Senior State meets, including a third‑place finish in the 200 free at Senior State, representing Alligator Aquatics.

Morgan Vis – Lewis University (Women’s Swimming & Diving, D-II)

Morgan, a Des Plaines native and Maine West alum, is now competing as a freshman at Lewis University. She swims fly and free, pursuing a major in Biology. In club meets, she swam fast in the 100 fly at high‑level sectional and state-level competition, noted in Alligator Aquatics highlights including Speedo Sectionals and Illinois Senior State meets.

This month, we are highlighting two swimmers, Kaitlyn and Brady!

Kaitlin Greiss has successfully navigated the Apex training group while enjoying success along the way. Kaitlin is a great example of a swimmer who is willing to do what it takes to be successful. Kaitlin has demonstrated a willingness to go the extra mile by checking all the boxes of a good training regiment: making stroke adjustments, maintaining excellent attendance, wearing two suits daily at practice are just some of the things that Kaitlin does to improve. Probably most importantly is her support of all her teammates. Kaitlin is the first one to cheer her teammates on at meets and always tries to include the whole team in fun activities (clothes pins are a great example). This June, Kaitlin has had a great month of training and competing, adding to her Regional cuts with the 800 free! Way to go, Kaitlin!

Brady Kirkiris is a perfect example of top-notch character leading to success. Brady is not only one of the most polite humans in existence, but he always considers his teammates before himself. Brady is kind and unassuming, but has a fierce inner desire to do well in swimming. Brady has adopted the 200 fly as his event and he has OWNED it! Brady qualified for state in the 200 fly at the PPD meet, where circumstances can be tough to swim fast. Brady trains hard daily and has amazing attendance. Brady cares about others and will always try to help teammates, coaches and friends. Congratulations on making 4 state cuts for the summer age group champs! Good luck to Brady.