Virginia Run Riptide's 25th Anniversary Season Opens with a Win

The Virginia Run Riptide opened their 25th Anniversary summer swim season at the Pinecrest Piranha’s pool in Herndon on Saturday June 20th. Though the day started cool, the Riptide generated major heat in the pool out swimming the Piranhas 219 to 196.

The 8 & Unders opened the meet in dominant fashion with Davis Collinsworth first and Ryder Hicks third in freestyle, followed by a clean sweep by the girls Megan Marco first, Charis Roundtree second and Charlotte Steffens third. The boys responded with a sweep in Back with Ryder Hicks first, Ryan Freiss second, and Andrew Newkirk third as Ginny Fitch took first and Charis Roundtree second for the girls. In breaststroke Jay Rennyson claimed a first and Andrew Newkirk a third while Laney Zimmerman claimed a second and Ginny Fitch a third. Davis Collinsworth won the butterfly and for the girls, Megan Marco was second and Laney Zimmerman third. Further asserting their strength both 8 & Under freestyle relays won their events. The girls’ team of Charis Roundtree, Charlotte Steffens, Megan Marco and Laney Zimmerman and the boys’ team of Jay Rennyson, Andrew Newkirk, Ryder Hicks and Davis Collinsworth swan amazing races.

The 9-10 age group saw Charles Beamon first, Connor Gary second for the boys and Caitlin Kelliher first for the girls in freestyle. William Whitton took first and Charles Beamon second while Caitlin Kelliher was first and Victoria Davila second in backstroke. Breaststroke was won by Isabelle Cogan with Nora Collinsworth in third. Sean Gunn swam well to capture a second in fly.

In a close meet where every point matters, the 11-12’s played their parts with Tyler Trigg claiming third, Chelsea Nguyen second and Katie Conway third in freestyle. In backstroke Tyler Trigg was second and Owen Thomas third while Chelsea Nguyen won first and Catie Gunn third. Jack Liskey took second and Michael Hart third for the boys with Gabriella Borsato swimming to a second for the girls in breaststroke. Taking a second and third in butterfly were Jack Liskey and Andrew Boyle and mirroring that result was Katie Conway second and Catie Gunn third. The girls’ medley relay of Chelsea Nguyen, Gabriella Borsato, Catie Gunn and Katie Conway dominated their race.
The 13-14’s helped to keep the meet close with Charlie Gunn in third and Olivia Masterson second and Jackie Hart third in freestyle. In back Anthony Arcomona was first and Charlie Gunn third while Sarah Boyle placed second. Joel Chaifetz took a second and Olivia Masterson a first in breast, with Anthony Arcomona first and Sarah Boyle second in butterfly.

In the highly competitive 15-18 group where many of the swimmers know each other through High School Varsity swimming, the Riptide swam strongly. In freestyle Nick McGrath was second while Chloe Hicks was first and Didi Pace second. Joey Castro placed second, Chloe Hicks first and Chanel Cogan third in backstroke. In breast Leo Wang captured a second and Mia Newkirk won a first. The Tide was strong in fly with Joey Castro in first, Patrick Kearney third and Mia Newkirk first and Didi Pace third. As the meet outcome hung in the balance, the Riptide 15-18 medley relay teams stepped up their performance. When the boys’ team of Geoffrey Eisenhart, Leo Wang, Joey Castro and Nick McGrath and the girls’ team of Chloe Hicks, Mia Newkirk, Didi Pace and Alison Meredith both won their events the meet victory was secured. The victory of the girls mixed age relay with Chelsea Nguyen, Caitlin Kelliher, Sarah Boyle and Chloe Hicks was a great finish to an exciting meet.

The Riptide board, chaired by Dana Matthews, is fortunate to have secured the services of new Head Coach Matt Lear. With his background as a veteran coach and teacher who grew up swimming in NVSL, the Riptide has in Coach Lear a leader who will nurture the skills, talents and sportsmanship of our young athletes. Serena Emanuel, who had a legendary record setting career with the Riptide, has returned as Assistant Coach. Senior coaches Geoffrey Eisenhart, Brooke Guidash, Chloe Hicks and Patrick Kearney and junior coaches Chanel Cogan, Luke Emanuel, Nick McGrath, Mia Newkirk, Didi Pace, Lauren Stovall and Leo Wang round out a strong coaching staff.

With a proud 25 year history and a team of over 210 swimmers, the Riptide community looks forward to a busy and exciting summer season.