Prep swimming preview capsules
1. Gar-Field
2. Osbourn
3. Osbourn Park
4. Woodbridge
5. Stafford
GIRLS TOP FIVE
1. Woodbridge
2. Stonewall Jackson
3. Osbourn Park
4. Osbourn
5. Stafford/Gar-Field
CARDINAL DISTRICT
FOREST PARK
Coach: Melanie Deberardinis (second season as head coach)
Last Year: Boys 1-6 regular season, seventh at district meet. Girls 1-6 regular season, seventh at district meet.
Boys swimmer to watch: Sr. Clark Morgan, a team leader who performed well at districts last season.
Top returners: So. Joe Drugan
Top newcomers: Fr. Tom Scovel, Fr. Jud Mason, Fr. Elijah Larson
Key losses: none
Girls swimmer to watch: Jr. Stacey Branham
Top returners: Jr. Lindsey Horne
Top newcomers: Fr. Samantha Markiewicz, Elizabeth Mabeus
Key losses: Katie Carey
Outlook: Forest Park, in its second season of competition is still young, but still learning and growing. Without a graduating class last year, Deberardinis is beginning to build continuity. The Bruins lost Carey, one of their top girls, to tennis, but return Horne and Branham, who were each strong last year. Deberardinis is excited about the boys team, led by Morgan and bolstered by a large group of freshmen. “I think the guys side will do really well,” Deberardinis said. “And we’ve got so many girls. We’ll definitely be an improvement over last year, if nothing else.”
GAR-FIELD
Coach: Rob Knoppel (sixth season)
Last Year: Boys 7-0 regular season, district champion, third at region. Girls, 4-3 regular season, fifth at district meet, ninth at region.
Boys swimmer to watch: Jr. Brett MacLennan, state finalist in 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle, will swim relays and several events to help Gar-Field combat its loss of depth.
Top returners: Jr. Andrew Hicks, So. Kyle Edgemon, Jr. Kyle Estep, So. Ian Grand
Top newcomers: Fr. Matthew Tonnesen, Fr. Chris Watson, Jr. Derek Fox, Jr. Andrew Kyme, Fr. Geoff Bishop
Key losses: Tim Brulle, Ryan Gogan, Josh Grand, Greg Bishop
Girls swimmer to watch: Jr. Megan Foley, a non-year-round swimmer who won 100 free in opener against Osbourn Park by a large margin.
Top returners: So. Liz Penning, Sr. Celeste Wooley, Sr. Karen Richardson, So. Lauren Shirley, Jr. Annie Toro, So. Letha Yeary, So. Sarah Schwoppe, Jr. Elizabeth White
Top newcomers: Fr. Kathleen Hewitt, Fr. Julianna Bristow, Fr. Kapo Leung
Key losses: Cassandra Estep, Olivia Toro
Outlook: The Indians lost 15 boys in the past two years and junior Matt Beaugh moved to Brussels, Belgium after last season. Only senior Brian Romano has participated for four years. The boys, usually deep, are without the depth but still have most of their best swimmers from last season. Knoppel said it wouldn’t surprise him if the boys lost a dual meet and still won the district. The girls are the opposite, having built team depth over the past few years. Last year they had their first winning dual meet season since 1993-94 and have a strong, youthful nucleus returning. “We don’t have a Kelly Urso, Kerry Urso or a Casey Quimby,” said Knoppel. “But I think we’re going to beat [good teams] 2-3-4-5-6.”
HYLTON
Coach: Kim Sterling (sixth season)
Last Year: Boys 4-3 regular season, tied for third at district meet, fourth in region. Girls 2-5 regular season, sixth at district meet.
Boys swimmer to watch: Sophomore Troy Sattgast, who went to the state meet last year in the 500-yard freestyle.
Top returners: Sr. captain Russell Wood, Sr. captain Scottie Keith, Sr. Carey Scovel, Jr. Steven Holt, So. John Hayes
Top newcomers: Fr. Matt Martinez, Fr. Mark Shaffstall
Key losses: Gerald Granados, Jesse Way, Junichi Suzuma
Girls swimmer to watch: Fr. Courtney White, for her versatility.
Top returners: Sr. captain Karen Bunch, Sr. Jamie Campbell, So. Andrea Tom, So. Teresa Pedersen
Top newcomers: Fr. Carly Keith, Jr. Nicole Martinez
Key losses: Ashley Joswick, Courtney Joswick, Alisa Brown, Jeanette Horn
Outlook: The Bulldogs are a small team, especially on the boys side, even though they graduated only two seniors and watched another strong performer move out of district. The girls have received a boost from nine freshmen. “Their energy is really incredible,” said Sterling. The Bulldogs are replacing their A relay team in the Joswick twins, Brown and Horn. Nicole and Matt Martinez, transfers from California, should give the Bulldogs a boost. Hylton probably doesn’t have the numbers anymore to compete for the district title.
WOODBRIDGE
Coach: Nancy Doggett (sixth season)
Last Year: Boys, 3-4 regular season, sixth at district meet. Girls 7-0 regular season, Cardinal District champions, Northwest Region champions.
Boys swimmers to watch: Fr. Robert Seraiva and Fr. Andrew Mazzella who Doggett likes for their talent, attitudes and work ethic.
Top returners: Sr. Michael Bryce, Sr. Randy Cooper, Jr. Chris Coxe, Jr. Trey Hunt
Top newcomers: So. Ryan Gibbons, Fr. Brad Blair
Key losses: Josh Wilshire, Alex Villahermosa
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Casey Quimby, who signed early with UNC-Wilmington and will lead the Vikings.
Top returners: Sr. Meagan Cleary, Sr. Melanie VanHorn, Sr. Laura Freeman Jr. Janel Danchak, Jr. Cara Lanzetta, So. Sarah Lindberg
Top newcomers: Fr. Caitlin Brown, Fr. Kristyn Schomp, Fr. Elizabeth Bourquardez
Key loss: Christy Cousins
Outlook: The boys, despite a 14-point loss to Osbourn, are deeper than in the past. Doggett thinks they’ll make a run at a district title. The girls (2-0) have been the county’s flagship program, and are still very good. But Stonewall outdid them at last year’s state meet. The Raiders and Osbourn Park may give them a run in regionals. The girls’ depth and experience is unrivaled in the area. Combined, the Vikings have 70 swimmers and 20 seniors, which makes for a good leadership group. Expect success from the Vikings.
CEDAR RUN DISTRICT
OSBOURN
Coach: Jason Lucey (first season)
Last Year: Boys 5-2 regular season, second at Cardinal District meet, seventh at region. Girls 5-2 regular season, third at Cardinal District meet, third at region.
Boys swimmer to watch: Jr. Josh Nicoletti, a breast stroker who is off to an impressive start
Top returners: Sr. Peter Waldron, Sr. Aaron Kendle, Sr. William Drake, Sr. Patrick Murray, Sr. Ethan Bruce, Jr. Josh Brisini, Jr. Joe Mueller, Jr. Patrick Toland, So. Steven Waldron
Top newcomers: none
Key loss: Michael Nicoletti
Girls swimmers to watch: Srs. Kendall Hollinger and Wesley Hollinger, who will lead the Eagles in and out of the water.
Top returners: Sr. Karly Wood, So. Katherine “Nicole” Snyder, Sr. Kristy Quinn, Sr. Julie Bolgert
Top newcomers: Jr. Audrey Pietrzyk, Fr. Laura Belch, Fr. Elizabeth Mueller, Carly Bush, Renee Romano, Ashley Moore
Key loss: Shannon Woolard
Outlook: Lucey, who came to the Eagles from South Lakes, likes what he sees in the early going: no clear-cut dominant boys or girls team. “It’s going to be an interesting year,” he said. Osbourn should contend for top honors in the district and in several individual events. The Hollingers lead a deep girls team that didn’t lose many to graduation. The girls have defeated Hylton and lost to Woodbridge. The boys are 2-0 behind a strong start in the relays with both Waldrons, Nicoletti and Mueller. Kendle, all-area as a junior, has been out with a foot injury, but should provide a significant boost when he returns.
OSBOURN PARK
Coach: Heather McManus (third season)
Last Year: Boys 5-2 regular season, tied for third at Cardinal District meet, eighth at region. Girls 6-1 regular season, second at Cardinal District meet, sixth at region.
Boys swimmer to watch: Sr. Jon Hayden, a regular middle distance swimmer who set a school rec in the 100 freestyle recently.
Top returners: Sr. Dan Freed, Sr. Bryan Nash, So. Drew Chartrand
Top newcomers: Fr. Tim Blum
Key losses: Matt Gers, Joe Blum
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Stine Hestdal, an exchange student from Norway in her first year with the Yellow Jackets. McManus says she’s of the same caliber as her top swimmers and gives Osbourn Park more options when deciding who swims which events.
Top returners: Sr. Melissa Burlovich, Sr. Krissy Mulholland, Sr. Kristin Nash, Jr. Lauren Petty, Jr. Kelly Goggins, Jr. Erin Hammersly, So. Katie Mulholland
Top newcomers: Sr. Stine Hestdal, Fr. Christina Thoresen, Fr. Megan Snyder
Key losses: Christine Pyry, Sarah Ozl
Outlook: The Yellow Jacket boys (1-1) have less depth than last season, but Hayden and Chartrand (who train together year-round) will do well in districts and beyond. Chartrand has already set the 100-yard butterfly school record. The girls (2-0) delight McManus when it comes to setting up meets. They have stars, depth and are off to a good start. Hammersly, Burlovich and both Mullhollands are ones to watch. “[Hammersly and Krissy Mullholland], the two of them are going to swim in a whole bunch of different places,” McManus said. “This is the third meet and I don’t think anybody’s swam the same events yet.” McManus says Hestdal is “the same caliber of Krissy and Erin. She’s a very talented swimmer with incredible strokes and great habits. I wish I had more time to train her.” The girls are neck-and-neck-and-neck with Woodbridge and Stonewall. The Yellow Jackets meet the Vikings Jan. 4 and will clash with the Raiders for the Cedar Run title. “For the girls, I think this is their year,” McManus said.
STONEWALL JACKSON
Coach: Khristy Gilmer (fourth season)
Last Year: Boys 3-4 regular season, fourth at Cardinal District meet, 10th at region. Girls 3-4 regular season, fourth at Cardinal District meet, fourth at region, ninth in state.
Boys swimmer to watch: So. Arlen Connolly, who has already taken off 10 seconds and broken school record in the 500-yard freestyle two weeks running.
Top returners: Sr. Chris Andreson, Jr. Michael Cartwright
Top newcomers: Fr. Nathaniel Harrison, Fr. Josh Reed
Key losses: Richard Packard
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Kelly Urso, one of three All-Area swimmers back for the Raiders, along with Razo and sister Kerry. Urso set district and region records in the 200-yard freestyle last season and took a fifth, two sixths and a 10th at the state meet. Urso recently signed with Clemson.
Top returners: Sr. Ashley Razo, Sr. Allison Behrle, Sr. Jill Munas, Jr. Emily Slough, So. Kerry Urso,
Top newcomers: Fr. Megan Behrle, Fr. Samantha Smith, Fr. Ashley Wells, Fr. Rachel Fuschillo
Key losses: None
Outlook: The girls are excellent, and boosted by a group of freshmen that Gilmer says are pushing the upperclassmen for their spots. The Raiders have stars and they are somewhat deep. Their season-opening dual meet loss to Woodbridge was without Kelly Urso and Razo, who were at the U.S. Open. The Raider girls rebounded to beat Gar-Field 155-131 and should challenge for the title in the three-team Cedar Run. Girls relay teams have already broken the school 200 medley and 200 freestyle marks and have their eyes on a state title. The boys suffered a big loss when Richard Packard’s family moved to Texas, but Connolly is off to a good start. Cartwright, an All-Area performer last season, is strong in the backstroke and butterfly.
COMMONWEALTH DISTRICT
BROOKE POINT
Coach: Mike Hamed (second season)
Last Year: Boys fourth at district meet. Girls sixth at district meet.
Boys swimmer to watch: Jr. Ritchie Faltz, a third place breast stroker at last year’s district meet.
Top returners: So. Brandon Miller
Top newcomer: Fr. Andrew Cavalier
Key losses: Kevin Raabe
Girls top returners: So. Whitney Sandlin, So. Allie Miller
Top newcomer: Fr. Tabatha Springer
Key losses: not available
COLONIAL FORGE
Coach: Camilla Shover (third season)
Last Year: Boys third at district meet. Girls Commonwealth District Champions, second at region.
Boys swimmer to watch: So. Tyler Campbell, who finished third in the district in the 500-yard freestyle last season.
Top returners: Sr. Charles Barnes, Sr. Travis Campbell, Sr. Tim Poats, Jr. Thomas Marks, Jr. Jacob Slaughter
Top newcomer: So. Brent Mitchell
Key loss: Thomas Martz
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Annie Martz, a sprinter who finished second in the 50-yard freestyle at last year’s Commonwealth District championship.
Top returners: Sr. Emily Acors, Sr. Kristin Hartway, So. Sarah Howard, So. Ashlea Parker, So. Casey Shanz
Top newcomers: So. Torie Swanson, Fr. Hannah Barns, Fr. Patricia Parcell
Key losses: Akemi Parker, Xenavee Pangelanian, Michelle Collier
Outlook: No area school was hit harder by graduation. The Eagles lost Parker, a two-time Potomac News swimmer of the year, plus All Area swimmers in Pangelinan and Collier. The trio combined for six district titles and powered the relay teams through the state meet. Collier was just a sophomore. Thomas Martz won the 100 butterfly and added a second-place finish in the district meet. The girls have a solid mix of youth and experience and the boys have the experience. However, both will be hard pressed to match last year’s success.
NORTH STAFFORD
Coach: Traci Abramson (third season)
Last Year: Boys 4-2, second at district meet, sixth at region meet. Girls 2-4, fifth at district meet.
Boys swimmer to watch: Sr. Dan Slear, who finished ninth at the state meet in the 100 backstroke.
Top returners: So. Dan Harrigan, So. Ryan Malkiewicz
Top newcomers: Fr. Matt Williams, Fr. Damian Rodino, Fr. Ransom Tierney, Fr. Ryan Whittle, Fr. Bill Ingalls
Key losses: Ryan Gerwig, Greg Bray
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Christine Wishmyer, who may anchor relay teams and provide senior leadership.
Top returners: Jr. Krystale Noriega, Sr. Rachel Sokoly
Top newcomers: Fr. Kristine Carandang, Fr. Ashley Stein, Fr. Katie Suhling
Key losses: Kathy Bye
Outlook: Fourteen boys give the Wolverines a better chance at dual meet success than 11 did last year, but numbers are still a bit of a problem. The boys are very versatile, but generally very young. They have several year-rounders. Slear should excel. There are 31 Wolverine girls, the biggest Abramson has coached. She says Stafford figures to be the main competition, as well as the Culpeper boys. Albemarle, new to the district, is tough to gauge.
STAFFORD
Coach: Jon Raymond
Last Year: Boys Commonwealth District Champions, fifth at region meet. Girls second at district meet, 10th at region.
Boys top returners: Sr. Brandt Adams, Sr. Jeff Adcock, Sr. Chris Fuller, Sr. David Katz, Jr. John Tremblay, Jr. Kurt McBride
Top newcomers: Jr. Gerald Tremblay, So. T.J. Jones, Fr. Brian Anderson, Fr. John Dameron
Key losses: Ryan Chewning, Mark Crosnicker
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Ashley Dowling, a sprint specialist who anchored a sixth-place 200-yard freestyle relay team at last year’s region meet.
Top returners: Jr. Amanda Fetter, So. Christie Moore, So. Becca Srygley
Top newcomers: Fr. Anna Gayle, Fr. Charlotte Melkun, Fr. Katie Moore
Key losses: Lisa Maloney, Lesley Wall, Michelle Atkinson
Outlook: The losses, including three-time All Area honoree Chewning, hurt both the boys and girls. Crosnicker, Wall and Maloney all performed well at district and region meets. The boys have a lot of experience in the water, which should help. The girls are younger, but are quite talented. Both should challenge for the district title.
INDEPENDENT
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN
Coach: Margaret Smith
Last Year: not available
Boys swimmer to watch: Sr. Matt McGillicuddy
Top returners: Fr. Danny Figuredo, So. Brian Keenan, So. Steven Miller
Top newcomers: So. Pontus Terstrand, Fr. Gordon Byrd
Key losses: Chris Peterson, Chris Last, Trevor Love, Daniel Anderson
Girls swimmer to watch: Sr. Tatiana Kawasaki
Top returners: Sr. Laura Peterson, Sabina Fidhahic, 8th Brie Andrews
Top newcomers: Jr. Rachel Thompson, Jr. Wendy Byrd, So. Gwen Jenkins, Fr. Rachel Houk, Fr. Jessica Quinlan, Fr. Jill Murray, 8th Alicia Stone, 7th Esther Houk
Key losses: Catherine Correll, Melissa Anderson
Outlook: Smith returns to the team she helped start in 1994-95 when the Flames had a joint team with Seton. Now, the squads are DAC rivals. Last year’s coach Mike George turned the job over because of scheduling conflicts when ECS got afternoon practice time at the Freedom Center. Smith says her kids are still getting comfortable in the water, and working on technique. But the team is twice the size of last year’s and should compete against the DAC’s mid-size and small schools. But Smith says it’s important for her team to realize that they are competing against themselves.
Potomac is not fielding a team this season and information on Seton was not available. Capsules compiled by Keith McMillan with help from Media General News Service.