Churchill High School returns a slew of all-Americans in seniors Alicia Watkins and Karen Chen, junior Yvonne Huo and sophomores Natalya Ares, above, and Shannon Ridge. (By Deb Lindsey/The Washington Post)
SWIMMER TO WATCH
Cara Chuang, Sr., Poolesville
After breaking her own 100-yard backstroke record and finishing second in the 200 individual medley at the 2009 Metros, Chuang returns for her senior season, looking to top her own marks. The three-time All-Met holds the Montgomery County and Metros record in the 100 backstroke (55.24) and should help the Falcons challenge for the Division 2 title. “Cara has been our bread and butter for the past two years,” Poolesville Coach Jonathan Leong said. “She has won Metros for the past three years in 100 back and hopes to complete the cycle.”
STORYLINES
1. Can Churchill repeat?
Coach Rodney Van Tassell’s Bulldogs rolled to an undefeated season, ending Good Counsel’s run of 12 straight Metros championships. This season, Churchill returns a slew of all-Americans in seniors Alicia Watkins and Karen Chen, junior Yvonne Huo and sophomores Natalya Ares and Shannon Ridge. But to repeat, the Bulldogs must stave off challenges from experienced teams at Whitman, Walter Johnson and Good Counsel. Saturday’s dual meet between Whitman and Churchill could provide a Metros preview, but both will be missing several top swimmers who will be competing at Short Course Junior Nationals.
2. Who Will Take Virginia?
Robinson lost All-Met Swimmer of the Year Amanda Kendall as well as several other pieces but returns sophomore Rachel Canty and is bolstered by what new coach Clayton Joyner called the “fabulous freshman,” led by Kathleen Dodson. Still, the state title may be open for a challenger like rival Oakton, Langley or Fairfax, which also lost several key pieces.
3. Will the Lloyd sisters lead Severna Park to another title?
In the three years since Maryland began its state meet, Severna Park has won two 3A/4A titles, including last season when the Falcons placed in the top three in every event. Twin sisters Emily (University of Virginia) and Sarah Lloyd led the way with all-American and record times in each of their events while pacing the 200 medley relay team to another meet record and both will look to improve in their respective events this winter.
AROUND THE AREA
Led by Harvard-bound butterfly specialist Danielle Schulkin, juniors Lauren Poore and Emily Schmidt and sophomore Victoria Kuhn, Whitman features more than enough talent to battle Churchill for the Metros title. ….. Walter Johnson will also be in the mix with all-American diver Anne Kastler, a sophomore, and junior Elizabeth Pepper, who claimed two All-American times at Metros, winning the 200-yard freestyle and placing second in the 100 butterfly. ….. ….. Holy Cross was the top private school behind Good Counsel at Metros last season, finishing fifth, and returns second-team All-Met sophomore Ashleigh Ferguson as well as junior Katie Rogers. ….. St. John’s returns junior Marissa Gentry. …..
Standout sophomore Sarah Haase will look to defend her Metros titles in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke and help Good Counsel take back the Metros title. Also keep an eye on senior Kaitlin Mills, who finished third in the 100 backstroke at Metros. ….. Junior Emily Ryczek swept the 50 and 100 freestyle at Metros and remains Sherwood’s top contender. …..
Oakton will be led by returning All-Met Kaitlin Pawlowicz, who won a state title in the 200 IM and finished second in the 100 fly last year. ….. Langley will look to challenge behind juniors Megan Howard and Jayme Katis. ….. Also keep an eye on Bishop Ireton senior Alina Hall, who took third in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 free last season at Metros. ….. Osbourn finished fifth at states last year and returns senior Kameron Ansley. ….. Junior Callie Fosburgh finished fifth in the 200 IM and third in the 500 free at Metros last season for Wilson. ….. Other names to watch include West Potomac freshman Hellen Moffitt, Centreville senior Natalie Leake, Maret senior Anna Pietrantonio, Fairfax junior Kelli Stockton, Gar-Field senior Mandy Vincent and West Springfield junior Ellen Shinhye Won.
KEY DATES (Boys and Girls):
Feb. 4-5: Virginia AAA Northern Region Championships, Oak Marr Rec
Feb. 6: WMPSSDL Championships, George Mason University
Feb. 20: Virginia AAA State Championships, Princess Anne Rec, Virginia Beach
Feb. 27: Metros Championships, Germantown Indoor Swim Center
Feb. 27: MPSSAA 1A/2A/3A and 3A/4A State Championships, University of Maryland College Park
Tags: AAA Northern Region, Amanda Kendall, Concorde District, Kaitlin Pawlowicz, Northern Region, Oakton High School, Sarah Haase, Virginia High School Swimming
stats corner
James Madison already beat Fairfax and Langley this year.
Ed, the Madison girls will be lucky to break top 10 at regions, a meet where there are real swimmers.
Whats a “real” swimmer?
One of the most talented teams in Virginia will be the Briar Woods High School Girls team. With a good combination of returning swimmers and a great bunch of freshmen, this team is too deep for most all competition.
I’ll take a guess– a swimmer who can swim a sub-1:00 100 free?
there are definitely “real” swimmers on the madison team, not just on the boys side. i wouldn’t put my money on a state win for the girls but i’d say a definite district win and maybe a regional contender.
You have to remember that dual meets are just a time trial for the District meets, Regionals and State meets, the outcomes of a dual meet in no way can really predict the outcome of the District, regional or State meet, Many times the best dual meet team may win the district but the scoring of 16 places at the district, region and state is totally different and you have to qualify by time
Thanks for that brilliant insight, Dave.