Virginia Run Riptide Narrowly Defeats Pinecrest

At their first home meet of the NVSL season, the Virginia Run Riptide tested the nerves of their fans with a “nail-biter” of a morning meet, narrowly nipping the Pinecrest Piranhas by a score of 215 to 205. It took 59 personal best swims and 5 new team records by Nicholas Harris (6 & under backstroke), Anthony Arcomona (13-14 free and fly), Nick McGrath (15-18 free), and Leo Wang (15-18 breast) to secure the win on the day.

Summer swimming is a unique sport, in that an eight year old can earn points equal to an eighteen year old and the Riptide under 8’s carried the day winning more points than any other age group. Kevin O’Connor swam for first in free and breaststroke, while Nicholas Harris took first in back and fly. Jack Jeffries was second in free and back, Tyler Dahm was second in fly, and Andrew Harkins was third in back. Charis Roundtree captured a first in girls free and fly, while Lauren Fitch was first in backstroke. All-important third place points were won by Mary Shaad in back, Jenna Van Buren in breast and Anna Kelliher in fly.

The 9-10’s earned the second most points for an age group with Charles Beamon first in free, William Whitton first in back, Griffin Osterhout first in breast and Davis Collinsworth first in fly. There were supporting second place finishes by Davis Collinsworth in free, Charles Beamon in back and Griffin Osterhout in fly, and third place swims by Jay Rennyson in breast and William Whitton in fly. For the 9-10 girls Megan Margo swam for a second in free and fly, Grace Ramey a second in back, Neha Srinivasan a second in breast and third in free, while Natalie Orwat was third in back, Sara Van Buren a third in breast, and Teresa Seraphin a third in fly.

Strong performances in the 11-12’s were turned in by Owen Thomas who won back and breast, Andrew Boyle who was first in fly and third in back, and Jackson Blansett third in free. Maddie Whitton won the girl’s fly and place second in free, while Alana Turflinger was second in back and breast.

Points for the 13-14’s were hard to come by with Anthony Arcomona winning free and fly. In backstroke William Beamon swam to second and Jack Liskey captured third, while in breaststroke Jack Liskey captured a second a David Barron a third. Chelsea Nguyen took second in free and back as Becca Matthews claimed third in free and back. Megan Gary was third in breaststroke and Catie Gunn third in butterfly.

For the 15-18 cohort from the Riptide and Piranhas who compete against each other in high school varsity swimming, the meet was intense. Leo Wang won the breaststroke, Nick McGrath was second in free and Patrick Kearney was third in free and fly. Mia Newkirk won the free and breast, Didi Pace won first in fly and third in free, Meredith Matz was second in breast and Sara Boyle was third in back and fly.

As the meet headed into the relays the Riptide had to capture 5 relays for a tie, six for a win. The mighty 8 & unders won both boys and girls relays. The undefeated 9-10 boys were victorious and the Riptide fans started the countdown- 3 down, 3 to go. Pinecrest won the next race, but the 11-12 boys came through- 4 down, 2 to go. Pinecrest won the next race and then the 13-14 boys won - 5 down, a tie was assured. One more win for the meet victory. Pinecrest won the next two relays – the tension mounted. The 15-18 girls Mia Newkirk, Meredith Matz, Didi Pace and Sarah Boyle stepped up their effort and won their relay by 2.5 seconds and secured the win for the Tide!

Riptide pride was on display the entire weekend as their own Chloe Hicks competed at the US Olympic Swim Trials, where her qualifying time placed her at 122nd in the 200 m backstroke. Chloe placed third in her heat and her final place was as 60th fastest in the country in the 200 back.

Congratulations to Chloe and the entire Riptide team for their weekend successes!