Four-time qualifiers Rachel Johnson, Eliana Niemi lead Dundee-Crown co-op into IHSA state girls swim meet

Rachel Johnson still feels the jubilation of a podium finish.Johnson, a senior leader of the Dundee-Crown co-op girls swimming team, had competed in the IHSA state meet in each of her first two seasons. Johnson fell just shy of medalist honors, but she broke through as a junior, placing third in the 100-yard backstroke and fifth in the 200-yard individual medley for her first state medals.“I knew I could,” Johnson said. “I knew I was capable of that, so it was nice to be able to execute it, and my team was supporting me.”Johnson, an Iowa commit, is seeking to end her high school career with one more podium finish. She’ll lead five D-C co-op swimmers, including Illinois State commit Eliana Niemi, at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont this week. The team qualified seven events for state.“The state meet is such a cool experience,” Johnson said. “It’s always so fun to see my friends from other teams, but it’s mostly fun to go back with my team. We’re bringing two relays. Our relays are very go