Virginia Run Season Ending Meet

The Virginia Run Riptide hosted their last NVSL A meet of 2016 and on an oppressively hot morning the Poplar Tree Pirates prevailed 225 to 195 in what was as exciting see-saw contest

The 8 and unders swimmers were standouts once again. With 2 new best times, Kevin O’Connor captured a first in freestyle and a second in breast, while Nicholas Harris swam for third in back and second in fly. Andrew Harkin, swimming a personal best, was second in back and Casey Konchar was third in free after taking 1.97 seconds off his previous pace. Cooper Hutt was third in breast and Ewan McDonough third in fly. Charis Roundtree won her freestyle event and was second in fly as her teammates Carolin Friess in backstroke and Jenna Van Buren in breaststroke swam for thirds.

For the 9-10’s, Charles Beamon placed second in free with a new best time and swam for third in back. William Whitton was impressive taking second in back and fly as he swam to new personal bests in both strokes. Davis Collinsworth swam to second in breast and third in fly, while third places were won by Samuel Roundtree in free and Griffin Osterhout in breast. Posting two best times, Megan Marco took third in free and fly. Grace Ramey swam for third in back and Neha Srinivasan shaved 2.49 second off her breaststroke time to capture third.

The 11-12 year olds swam with enthusiasm as Andrew Boyle dropped 1.8 seconds and powered his way to first in butterfly. Jason Cheifetz secured a second in free and a third in breast, while Owen Thomas placed second in back and breast. Maddie Whitton was a double winner taking first in free and fly. Isabelle Cogan set a new best time to win backstroke and proceeded to take third in breast. Caitlin Kelliher was second in back and fly, while Emily Jon in free and Valerie Tonnu in back swam for third places.

First place finishes for the 13-14 group were achieved by Anthony Arcomona in free and fly and with a new best swim William Beamon won breaststroke. William also placed second in back with a best time, while teammates Matt Guidash swam for second in free and fly and David Barron a second in breast. Important third place points were captured by Noah Schettini in free, Anthony Tonthat in back and Jack Liskey in breast.

Winning points for the 15-18 year olds were Leo Wang with a first in breast and a third in fly, Nick McGrath with a second in free and breast, Patrick Kearney third in free and Geoffrey Eisenhart third in backstroke. Chloe Hicks won her free and back heats and Mia Newkirk with new best times won the breast and butterfly. Third place were won by Didi Pace in free and Sara Boyle in back.

The Riptide recognized their graduated high school swimmers at the break before relays: Mary Claire Bentz, Jared Cheifetz, Brooke Guidash, Chloe Hicks, Patrick Kearney, Mia Newkirk, Callie Rennyson, and Tina Vu. As outstanding students and swimmers Virginia Run team members benefit from the Wrinkle Family Scholarship Fund that provides $500 awards to eligible senior swimmers.

As the meet moved into the relay events the Riptide attempted to overtake the Pirates and despite winning a majority of the relay races, finished short of the winning margin.

Next Saturday, July 30^th, Virginia Run will host their Divisional Meet, where the top two swimmers in each age category and in each stroke type in NVSL Division 4 will compete for awards and for the opportunity to qualify for the NVSL all-star championships.