Led by junior Emily Ryczek who earned victories in the 50 free (25.13) and the 100 backstroke (1:05.01), the Sherwood girls rolled to a 116-53 win over Quince Orchard. (Photo by Preston Keres/The Washington Post)
With defending Montgomery County individual champion Eric Conrad out of the lineup, Sherwood’s boys had their hands full with an up-and-coming Quince Orchard team. The meet came down to the final two events where the Warriors won the 400-yard freestyle relay to edge the Cougars 89-82.
“The first few weekends of the high school swim season are always a challenge coming up with lineups when you’re missing swimmers,” second-year Sherwood Coach Brendan Lees said. “You work with what you have and then let your swimmers do the talking in the pool as always.”
Senior Mike Anderson –- who swept the 200 and 500 free at the 2008 Montgomery County championships –- won the 200 free (1:56.07), finished second in the 100 (49.57) and swam the first leg of the Warriors’ first-place 400 freestyle relay team (3:35.73). Devin Gallagher and Matthew and Michael Flamand completed the 400 freestyle relay team. Michael Flamand finished first, ahead of his brother in the 500 free (5:04.90) and was second in the 200.
On the girls’ side, the Warriors rolled to a 116-53 win behind junior Emily Ryczek who swept her events, earning victories in the 50 free (25.13) and the 100 backstroke (1:05.01) while closing out the 200 medley relay (1:56.07). Katie Relihan was also a triple-winner for Sherwood, taking first in the 200 (2:01.08) and 500 free (5:43.55) and anchoring the 400 free relay team as the Warriors matched their dual meet win total from a year ago in their first meet of the season.
Richard Montgomery’s Rocket
Walter Johnson swept past Division I newcomer Richard Montgomery over the weekend, but not before the Rockets’ new import made a resounding first impression on those in attendance. Junior Clemens Kaiser, a 16-year old exchange student from Germany, put on a show, breaking two team records in his first meet.
Kaiser cruised to an 11-second victory in his first event, the 200 individual medley (1:57.44) and then narrowly edged Walter Johnson senior Greg Karel in the 100 freestyle (49.00). Karel won the 50 free (22.50) and was the anchor of the first place 400 free relay team that included Barry Mangold, Chris Root and Kevin Spak. Walter Johnson won the meet despite the absence of senior Andrew Tollefson and junior Elizabeth Pepper – both competed at short-course nationals – and several other team members who were competing at the county jazz band festival.
“He’s only been here a short time and he’s already made an incredible impact on our team,” Richard Montgomery Coach Aryn Wheeler said. “When he swims, it gets the team fired up. And he told me he’s planning on breaking quite a few more school records while his here this year, so I’m looking forward to seeing that happen.”
Next on the schedule for Walter Johnson is Bethesda-Chevy Chase, while the Rockets get another tough test in Whitman, whose girls knocked off defending Metros champions Churchill on Saturday…
Severna Park senior Emily Lloyd was one of the top area swimmers competing at short-course nationals and did not disappoint. The University of Virginia recruit posted a time of 22.81 in the women’s 50 free to finish second, just behind Lindsey McKnight of Coral Springs, Fla. (22.74). Both times broke the previous record for the meet.
Lloyd and twin sister Sarah have been the cornerstones of the Severna Park program since the team was founded their freshman year. Once again this season, they lead the Falcons as they challenge for a third Maryland 3A/4A title in their four years at the school.
Tags: AAA Northern Region, Concorde District, Oakton High School, Quince Orchard, Sherwood, Virginia High School Swimming
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