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Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete Of The Month: Griffins' Claire Berger Lowers Times in All Swimming Events

Father McGivney’s Claire Berger improved her performance consistently during the IHSA girls sectional meet. She is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins.

Colin Feeney, Contributing Sports Writer

Jan 4, 2026 11:44 PM Jan 12, 2026 4:44 PM

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EDWARDSVILLE - Claire Berger is a swimmer for Father McGivney Catholic High, and swam a great program in the IHSA girls sectional meet in November 2025 at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center in Edwardsville.

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Although she didn't qualify for the state meet, Berger fared very well in the sectional, finishing fifth in the 200-yard freestyle, coming in at 3:08.35, finishing eighth in the 100-yard butterfly at 1:08.53, and swam lead-off in the 200-yard freestyle relay, where the Griffins finished eighth at 1:57.98. She is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins.

In an interview conducted following her final race, Berger felt she swam well throughout the entire day and was happy with her results.

"I have been doing pretty well," Berger said. "I have been dropping time, and I'm happy."

Berger said dropping time in all of her events was a primary goal entering the season, and she achieved it in a short period of time.

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"I have dropped time in every meet since high school, and I'm very excited about it," she said.

Berger enjoys swimming for the Griffins and loves her teammates very much.

"I like my team a lot, and it's really fun," she added.

Going into the sectional meet, Berger wanted to continue to drop time, and she definitely achieved her goal.

"I wanted to beat my times," Berger said, "and drop as much as I could, with the best technique I could."

She definitely did that, and looks to continue swimming not only for the Griffins, but also for her summer team, the Collinsville Swim Club Gators.

"I'm probably going to keep swimming throughout high school, and probably outside of high school, too, and during the summer for the Gators again," Berger said.