On a cold, stormy Saturday morning, when it seemed the crowd watching the meet was as wet as the swimmers, the Virginia Run Riptide traveled to Falls Church for their second meet of the season. While the Lee-Graham Dolphins had the home pool advantage and bested the Tide 231 to 189, the Olympics theme for the day was powerfully represented by 30 personal bests posted by the Tide. The 13-14 Ladies crew of Olivia Masterson, Becca Matthews, Christina Nguyen, Sarah Boyle, Megan Vu, and Jacquelyn Hart had their best day ever, capturing 37 of 41 possible points.
In freestyle three swimmers won first: Caitlin Kelliher 9-10, Olivia Masterson 13-14, and Chloe Hicks 15-18. Second place points were earned by Charis Roundtree 8U, Charles Beamon 9-10, Maddie Whitton 11-12, and Becca Matthews 13-14. Six swimmers placed third: Ryder Hicks 8U, Megan Vu 8U, Katie Conway 11-12, Christina Nguyen 13-14, and Nick McGrath 15-18.
The Riptide was more dominant in backstroke with five first place performances by Davis Collinsworth 8U, Caitlin Kelliher 9-10, Anthony Arcomona 13-14, Sarah Boyle 13-14, and Chloe Hicks 15-18. Three second place finishes by Ginny Fitch 8U, William Whitton 9-10 and Chelsea Nguyen 11-12 were followed by seven third place finishes by Charis Roundtree 8U, Sean Gunn 9-10, Owen Thomas 11-12, Catie Gunn 11-12, Megan Vu 13-14, Geoffrey Eisenhart 15-18 and Didi Pace 15-18.
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The meet got closer after breaststroke wins by Jay Rennyson 8U, Jack Liskey 11-12, Olivia Masterson 13-14, Leo Wang 15-18, and Mia Newkirk 15-18. Laney Zimmerman 8U, Isabella Cogan 9-10, Gabriella Borsato 11-12, and Jacquelyn Hart 13-14 collected second place points, while Payton Kuhlman 8U, Connor Gary 9-10, Michael Hart 11-12, Chelsea Nguyen 11-12, Joel Cheifetz 13-14, Patrick Kearney 15-18 and Meredith Matz 15-18 collected third place points.
Winners in the butterfly included Anthony Arcomona 13-14, Sarah Boyle 13-14, and Mia Newkirk 15-18. Seven swimmers swam for seconds Davis Collinsworth 8U, Megan Marco 8U, Jack Liskey 11-12, Maddie Whitton 11-12, Jacquelyn Hart 13-14, Joe Castro 15-18 and Didi Pace 15-18.
As the rain became more intense, the waterlogged crowd huddling under umbrellas and tents became increasingly enthusiastic as all six Riptide ladies relay teams won their races. But the Dolphins were too strong on this day. The Riptide will step up their performance next Saturday as Virginia Run hosts Langley on the 4th of July. A Monday night meet vs. Greenbriar, a Tuesday morning breakfast by the pool, a Thursday trip to Splashdown Waterpark and a Friday float night filled a busy week for the Riptide family.