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Swimming
Review: MW Regional should be competitive
By
Keith McMillan
Staff
Writer
Repeating as Cardinal District Champions this past Saturday was no easy
task for the Woodbridge girls’ swim team, but repeating as regional champions
may be even more difficult.
Osbourn Park, Osbourn and Stonewall all gave the Vikings a run in the
district meet, and all three are sending swimmers to the region meet in
force. Colonial Forge, who had double-winners in Akemi Parker, Xenavee Pangelinian
and Michelle Collier, should also press the Vikings for first. Patrick Henry
of Roanoke finished behind Woodbridge at regionals last year, but was the
Northwest’s highest finsher (eighth) at the state meet.
Even considering all of the challengers, the Vikings ever-present depth
makes them this year’s favorites.
It wasn’t just highly-touted finishers Christy Cousins and Casey Quimby
who led the way for Woodbridge. Eight individuals posted top-eight finishes
in two events each Saturday, all qualifying for regionals.
Cousins set a district record in the 50 freestyle and won the 100 breast
stroke. Quimby won the 500 freestyle and finished second in the 200 freestyle.
The Vikings carried the day with strong efforts from junior Megan Cleary
and sophomore Janel Danchak, who each took a third- and a fourth-place.
Freshman Sarah Lindberg added a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke
and a fifth-place finish.
Junior Melanie Van Horn added a fourth and an eighth while junior Laura
Freeman had a fifth and a seventh. Sophomore Lindsay Russell scored two
eighth-place finishes, contributing 22 points toward the team title.
Having so many good swimmers is a significant advantage, acknowledged
Cousins.
“It’s reassuring in a sense,” she said. “There’s always
someone there to pick you up when you are down.”
The Vikings’ senior leader praised all of her teammates, but none more
than junior Casey Quimby.
“If I had to [choose] one person who stood out,” Cousins said,
“I’d have to say Casey Quimby in the 500 freestyle. It was a tough
race in the beginning, but she pulled it out.”
Her 5:14.46 was more than nine seconds better than her closest competitor,
Stonewall freshman Kerry Urso. Quimby also broke Tara Koff’s 200 freestyle
district record by more than one second, but finished behind Kerry’s sister
Kelly, who won the race in 1:56.44.
***
Gar-Field’s boys generated a similar team effort to pick up their second
straight district title, and attributed the win to unity.
“Every sport has its own sense of teamwork,” said Andrew Hicks,
who has tried his hand elsewhere, including on the gridiron.
“We’re so close,” he said of the Indian swimmers. “In
football, we were all friends on the field, but here, we’re all friends
away from swimming.”
“All my best friends are on the swim team,” added senior Greg
Bishop.
“We work harder because of that,” said Hicks. “We [did]
this for each other.”
***
Gar-Field will have to contend with Cave Spring, last season’s boys
group AAA state champions, on Saturday. They’ll also get a push from Cardinal
District rivals Osbourn, Osbourn Park and Hylton. The Commonwealth’s Stafford
and North Stafford could also be in the hunt.
Gar-Field had nine individuals qualify in 15 events Saturday, and each
of their relays finished in the top two. Sophomore Brett MacLennan, who
won two district titles, should be a major factor. Liz Penning will lead
a solid group of Gar-Field girls.
Hylton won the 200 freestyle relay and finished second in the 400 freestyle.
They qualified five swimmers for regionals. Four of them, Adam Krepp, Troy
Sattgast, Gerardo Granados and Russell Wood, marked two top-four finishes
each.
“We’re now starting to hit our best times,” said Bulldog coach
Kim Sterling. “Now is the time you want to be doing that.”
Osbourn qualified eight boys and seven girls in indiviual events in
Harry DeLong’s seventh and final year in charge of the program. Peter Waldron,
who won the 200 individual medley, and Aaron Kendle are boys to watch. Shannon
Woolard, who notched two second-place district finishes, Nicole Snyder and
Wesley Hollinger should lead the Eagle girls.
Osbourn Park could post top-five boys and girls finishes for the second
year in a row. The Yellow Jackets qualified eight girls and six boys in
individual events after finishing second (girls) and third (boys) in the
district.
Stonewall Jackson should post strong finishes in both the boys and girls
standings. Ashley Razo and both Ursos combined for six firsts and two seconds
at districts, and led the relay teams to two victories. Emily Slough and
Allison Behrle round out the group.
Richard Packard and Michael Cartwright should score for a boys team
that sends four individuals and one relay team.
Forest Park will be represented at districts by Clark Morgan, who won
the 100 freestyle and finished third in the 200 freestyle. Bill Parris will
also swim two events at regionals. Chris Coxe and Mike Bryce Jr. will represent
the Woodbridge boys.
***
Kevin Crosnicker and Ryan Chewning guided the Stafford boys to the Commonwealth
District title Friday. The Indians’ depth helped garner several middle-place
finishes and a 143-113 win over second-place North Stafford. Colonial Forge
finished third and Brooke Point fourth.
Parker, Pangelinan and Collier led Colonial Forge to a district title
in their second year. Stafford finished second, North Stafford fifth and
Brooke Point sixth.
***
Seton’s boys and girls swept Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg
Christian and Randolph-Macon Academy last weekend to finish unbeaten in
the Delaney Athletic Conference dual meet season. Sam Higginbottom led the
way for the boys with two first-place finishes, 50 and 100 free. Katie Shipko
broke two records in her winning swims for the girls in the 50 (29.09) and
100 free (1:03.72).
Casey Rafter took first in 100 breast as well, while the 200 medley
relay team of Higginbottom, Sweeney, Rafter and Will Rogers broke the school
record with a time of 2:10.66.
Ryan Sweeney also took first in 100 fly and second in the 200 IM (school
record).
Seton will swim at the DAC Championships Saturday in Fredericksburg.
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