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Oakton sophomore Janet Hu won two individual events in record-breaking fashion to lead the Cougars to their first Virginia AAA girls’ swimming and diving championship on Saturday at George Mason University’s McKay Natatorium.

The Cougars finished with 183 points, pulling away from Osbourn Park and West Potomac, which finished with 166 and 162 points, respectively.

Cox of Virginia Beach won the boys’ title, ending a decade of dominance by Northern Region schools. The Falcons won two of three relays in record time to finish with 246 points. Oakton was second with 168 and Jefferson was third with 146.

“We didn’t have a great prelims [on Friday night],” Oakton Coach Parker Ramsdell said. “Cox was just too strong for our boys this year, they have a phenomenal team. But our girls knew what they had to do tonight. We came out and just started picking up points.”

Hu, an All-Met last year as a freshman, provided many of those points. Her long, powerful stroke and near perfect underwater kicks made her untouchable in every race she competed in. In both of her individual events, she eclipsed both the state meet and the pool records.

In the 100 butterfly, Hu won with a time of 53.20 seconds, shattering the state record of 54.78 that was set in 2008. She swam a 53.45 in the 100 backstroke, beating the state record by more than a second.

Hu saved the best for last, anchoring the Cougars’ 400 freestyle relay. Just as she did two weeks ago at the Northern Region championships, she delivered a blistering split to lead Oakton to victory in come-from-behind fashion.

OAKTON, VA - FEBRUARY 4: Oakton's Janet Hu (top) leads Langley's Abi Speers in the girls 100-yard freestyle. Hu would set a record with a time of 49.52 in the race. (Photo by Preston Keres/For The Washington Post)

The other big finishers in the girls’ meet was the Battlefield relay of Nina Tremols, Natalie Martin, Holly Criscuolo, and Sofia Revilak, who broke the state record in the girls’ 200 medley relay with a time of 1:45.57. Freshman Revilak split a 23.08 to seal the win for the Bobcats. She won the girls’ 100 freestyle in a time of 51.44.

West Potomac’s girls’ 200 freestyle relay narrowly missed the state record, finishing in a time of 1:36.58. Junior Hellen Moffitt anchored in a time of 23.50, along with Reanna Dona, Sara Bertram, and Maxine Clifford.

Seniors dominated on the boys’ side. Marshall All-Met Cyrus Hashemigot things going early, using his long, loping stroke to break the state record in the 200 freestyle by .05 with a time of 1:39.83. Later he won the 100 freestyle in 45.39, again setting a new state mark.

OAKTON, VA - FEBRUARY 4: Marshall's Cyrus Hashemi swims to a victory in the boys 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:40.09. (Photo by Preston Keres/For The Washington Post)

Earlier on Saturday, Robinson senior Cory Bowersox broke his own state record in diving, racking up 551 points to beat Washington-Lee senior Carl Buergler, last year’s state champion by over 50 points.

Jefferson senior Stephen Seliskar broke one of the meet’s oldest and fastest records in the boys’ 100 backstroke with a time of 50.08. Austrian Olympian Markus Rogan set the previous record of 50.20 in 2000 while swimming for Mount Vernon.

Stephen’s younger brother, freshman Andrew Seliskar, made a statement of his own, breaking the state record in the 200 individual medley by nearly two seconds, going 1:49.83. Junior Brandon Fiala (Westfield) also went under the previous record, finishing second in 1:51.57. Andrew Seliskar was also the winner in the boys’ 100 butterfly in a time of 49.64.

Cox sophomore Austin Temple broke the state record in the boys’ 100 breaststroke (57.04), beating out Woodson’s Bo Ilgenfritz (57.37) and Westfield’s Fiala (57.42).

In one of the most exciting races of the night, Chantilly High School prevented Cox from sweeping the boys’ relays by winning the 400 freestyle relay in a time of 3:09.72 to Cox’s 3:09.97. Cox had the lead going into the final exchange, but Chris Grimmett-Norris gutted out a tough 100 yards to out-touch Cox’ Nate Dacruz. Grimmett-Norris split 45.57, garnering cheers from the Northern Region teams. He was joined by Evan Baker, Will Schulte, and Brian Rothschild in the win.

Other winners were Audrey Kula (Osbourn Park) in the girls’ 200 freestyle (1:52.31), closely contested by Stone Bridge’s Andi Mack (1:52.45), Abi Speers (Langley) in the girls’ 50 freestyle (23.62), Katherine Van Winkle (Marshall) in girls’ diving (418.90 points), and Jenna Van Camp (Herndon) in the girls’ 100 breaststroke (1:02.95), as well as Amanda Carner (Menchville High), who was a double winner in the girls’ 200 individual medley (2:02.01) and 500 freestyle (4:54.93). Wesley Francis, Cox’s anchor of the winning 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays, won the boys’ 50 freestyle in 21.11. Christian Vivadelli (Maggie Walker) won the boys’ 500 freestyle in 4:32.68, ahead of Osbourn’s Henry Campbell and Greg Stoffa.

Results from the 2012 Va. AAA State Swimming and Diving Championship

All swimming prelims will be held on Friday, beginning at 4 p.m. Finals will be on Saturday, again starting at 4 p.m. Diving will take place on Saturday morning. Boys at 9 a.m.; girls at noon. Price of admission is $10.00 per person/per session.

Complete psych sheet

Additional information from VHSL on the 2012 State Championship Meet

Every race should be a thrilling showdown, with many local names showing up Saturday night at finals. Here are five storylines to watch at this year’s state meet:

1. For the first time in a decade, a team from outside of the Northern Region could be crowned state champions.

Northern Region teams have not lost the girls’ state swimming meet since 1998, and the boys’ have shown themselves to be the girls’ equals, winning 10 straight boys’ titles. That probably will not change this year on the girls’ side. Expect Oakton to be out ahead, followed by West Potomac, and Langley.

But the boys’ meet could be a different story. Cox High School (Virginia Beach) brings one of their strongest state teams ever, led by seniors Wesley Francis and Ben Hansen, along with sophomores Nate Dacruz and Austin Temple. They have hope for numerous top five finishes and wins in at least two relays that could propel them past the strong Northern Region squads.

The Falcons will  have to go through a deep Oakton team, eager to reclaim another state title, Woodson‘s powerhouse dive squad, and a brothers Seliskar-led Thomas Jefferson, with their eye on multiple individual and relay state titles.

2. Whoever said swimming is not a team sport was never on a meet clinching relay team.

The state championship this year may very well be decided in the relays. Not only are relays worth double the points, but they also provide a momentum boost for the individual swimmers on and off the relay. The big dropoff between first-place points (40) and second (34) is going to be significant for Cox, who needs that six-point advantage if it hopes to upset Oakton.

Cox is the top seed in the 200-yard freestyle and 200 medley relays. The Falcons are quickly followed by Jefferson and West Springfield. The combined difference between Jefferson and Cox’s two relays is a mere .06 seconds. If either Jefferson or West Springfield can knock Cox off the top spot, it will be a big boost for Oakton, who will not vie for first in either event.

In the 400 freestyle relay, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to catch the Oakton team of Carter Sharer, Conor Murphy, Brian Phillips, and Philip Hu, seeded way out in front with a 3 minutes 11 seconds, but the race for second will be close, between Cox, Chantilly, Marshall, South County, and Woodson, all who feature a superstar anchor ready to fight for those final points.

Just like the team competition, the girls’ relays should be dominated by Northern Region teams. Oakton, West Potomac, and Langley will contend for the top points in each, but do not rule out Battlefield‘s girls’ 200 medley relay, fresh off winning the Northwest title in the event.

Natalie Martin brings Battlefield into the lead on the breaststroke leg of the 200 medley relay. Martin and teammates Nina Tremols, Holly Criscuolo and Sofia Revilak won the relay in 1:48.67, an All American consideration time. (Photo by Marianne Thiede)

Battlefield has not had the opportunity to race anyone as fast as the teams from West Potomac, Woodson, and Oakton yet this season. Battlefield seniors Natalie Martin and Holly Criscuolo will pair up with Nina Tremols and Sofia Revilak to take on the Northern Region’s best. But it is hard to imagine anyone catching the speedy team of Reanna Dona, Maxine Clifford, Sara Bertram, and Hellen Moffitt from West Potomac, who set the Northern Region record two weeks back, and who will be vying for the state record this Saturday.

3.Records will tumble. The question is, how many?

The Virginia AAA state championship meet has been held in a short course meters pool the last two years, meaning no one has had an opportunity to break a traditional state yards records in quite some time. Besides the girls’ 200 medley relay record, there are a number of individual records that could go down this year.

Cyrus Hashemi (Marshall) in the boys’ 200 and 100 freestyle. Hashemi is just .21 behind the record of 1:39.88 in the 200 freestyle, and .25 off the 100 freestyle record of 45.56. Check out this video of Hashemi talking about his swimming success and his decision to swim for UNC-Wilmington next year:

Andrew Seliskar (Jefferson) in the boys’ 200 individual medley. A. Seliskar could shatter the record by more than 1.5 seconds. The record of 1:51.72,, held by David Kiss – currently at George Mason University, – is one of the fastest records in the state. It was previously held by Austrian Olympic silver medalist Markus Rogan (Mount Vernon High School) and was untouched for nine years. Northern Region runner-up Brandon Fiala will most likely go under the record as well, behind A. Seliskar.

Stephen Seliskar (Jefferson) in the boys’ 100 backstroke. Andrew’s older brother Stephen (senior) will have a shot at breaking Rogan’s remaining state record in the 100 backstroke (50.20). He went a 49.97 in prelims at the Northern Region championship meet two weeks ago, and is certainly hoping to be able to match that mark this weekend.

Bo Ilgenfritz (Woodson) in the boys’ 100 breaststroke. While no one is going to challenge Chuck Katis’s (Harvard) Northern Region record of 55.61 anytime soon, the state record is comparatively languid at 57.15, and within reach of the Woodson senior (57.20).

Abi Speers (Langley) in the girls’ 50 freestyle. Speers seems to get a little bit faster off the blocks each week. Her seed time (23.32) is already under Olympic hopeful Amanda Kendall‘s 2009 record of 23.40, but the Langley junior will push herself to see how much further she can lower that mark, especially with the impressive group of underclassmen in the lanes surrounding her.

Janet Hu (Oakton) in the girls’ 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Hu is on an impressive run, setting regional records in the 100 freestyle (49.52) and 100 backstroke (53.76), while leading Oakton’s girls to team titles at districts and regionals.

Oakton's Janet Hu jumps out of the starting block on her way to a record-setting victory in the girls 100-yard backstroke with a time of 53.76 in the Virginia Northern Region swim meet. (Photo by Preston Keres/For The Washington Post)

This week, she has her sights on two of the fastest girls’ state records – the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. She is seeded .34 off the 100 butterfly record held by Suzanne Schwee (University of Alabama) with a time of 55.12, and is well under U-Va. swimmer Meredith Cavalier’s record in the 100 backstroke of 54.85. She could round off her night by  breaking the girls’ 400 freestyle relay record of 3:30.60, held by an Ashley Danner (GMU) anchored Lake Braddock team. Oakton is currently seeded 3:30.96.

4. Speed suits will make a difference this weekend.

How many finalists will be sporting the newest look by the sports premier technical outfitters? After the 2010 ban on technical suits, FINA approved tags were spotted on suits everywhere at the Washington Metro and Northern Region championship meets, and TYR, Arena, Nike, and Speedo championship level suits will most certainly be in abundance at Saturday night’s finals.

How many swimmers were able to get their hands on the newest Fastskin3 by Speedo for this weekend’s meet, which claims a 5.2% reduction in full body drag; 5.7% when paired with the goggle and cap system? At $395 for the male jammer and $595 for the female kneeskin, the suits ought to swim for you, but a 5.7% difference could be enough to propel a lower seeded swimmer to a championship title. These suits are approved by the NFHS, USA Swimming, and FINA, but that does not mean we are not headed toward possibly another suit controversy like in 2000 and 2008.

5. Five Olympic Trials qualifiers will compete this weekend, all on the girls’ side.

A number of local swimmers will be competing for a coveted spot on the US Olympic Team in June at the U.S. Olympic Trials, in Omaha.

Jenna Van Camp (Herndon High School), Ali Stephens-Pickeral (George Washington High School), and Kayla Brumbaum (Riverbend High School) are all Trials qualifiers in the 100 breaststroke, and will meet this weekend in that event on Saturday. Van Camp is the top seed with a blistering 1:02.49. Stephens-Pickeral is right behind in 1:03:44, followed by Brumbaum in 1:04.38.

In the 100 backstroke, Hellen Moffitt and Janet Hu will square off. Moffitt achieved her first Trials cut last summer in the 100 backstroke. Hu has not reached her cut in backstroke, but currently has cuts in three other events. Hu could add more in March at one of the long course championship club meets.

Moffitt and Hu will meet again in the 400 freestyle relay. At the Northern Region meet, Hu was too much for Moffitt in both events. She shattered the region record in the backstroke event just a few events before she delivered one of the most sensational swims of the night, as the anchor of the 400 freestyle relay. She overcame a sizable deficit to win the event for Oakton, splitting 48.5 in the final leg.

Complete psych sheet

Additional information from VHSL on the 2012 State Championship Meet

The Cavalier boys’ team (7-0) could not be slowed down again this year, winning the district championship for the third straight year. They were chased by West Springfield all night, but the experienced group of senior boys for Woodson would not be denied in a 525 to 476 win. Lake Braddock finished third in both meets.

Woodson got off to a blazing start with a win in diving from Ben Schiesl. Woodson divers would take first, third, fourth, and seventh on Friday morning, its second highest scoring event behind boys’ 100 breaststroke.

Bo Ilgenfritz stood out for the Cavaliers, winning both the 200 IM (1:59.43) and 100 breaststroke (58.74). Ilgenfritz broke the district record in the 100 breaststroke, set in 2003 by Andy Pelenberg (Annandale). He beat senior teammate Nathan Pease, who was over a second ahead of third, with a time of 1:00.01. Cory Hansen and Reid Penzler would complete the sweep for Woodson in 1:01.32 and 1:01.42.

Ilgenfritz fueled the second place 200 medley relay (1:38.58) and the winning 400 freestyle relay (3:18.38). They lost to West Springfield’s 200 medley relay (1:37.15), who broke the Patriot District record set by Woodson in 2010. The team of Sean Mayer, William Bryan, Colin Stephenson, and Jacob Anderson combined for the record.

South County‘s Evin Rude came up big for the Stallions in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. He cruised in the longer event to an easy win in 4:42.96, ahead of Woodson’s Colin Chartier (5:04.76). The 200 freestyle was a much closer race with West Springfield’s Mayer. But Rude was too much for Mayer in the end, winning 1:44.17 to 1:45.42.

Rude’s teammate Michael Herrmann was also a double winner, earning individual titles in the 100 butterfly (51.72) and 100 backstroke (51.96). He got an impressive win in the butterfly early in the meet over Stephenson (52.80), Jesse Kane (53.41), Cole McGarry (53.75), and Eric Chestnut (53.87), all with strong swims.

Herrmann was even better in the backstroke, crushing the field with a 51.96. Mayer was second for the second time that night in 54.55. He was followed by Woodson’s Alex Saffran (55.72) and James Chung (55.99).

Despite Ilgenfritz being their lone winner, Woodson’s boys kept getting on the wall in the top five all night.

The girls’ meet was won in similar fashion, capitalizing on the depth that has propelled them all season.

Woodson finished first in the girls’ 200 freestyle relay (1:40.98), second in the 200 medley relay (1:50.10), and third in 400 freestyle relay (3:42.22). Freshmen Lead Rogers and Rachel Ward were crucial ingredients in those relays, as was junior Morgan Bui and senior Rachel Rogers.

Leah Rogers was the only individual winner for the Cavalier ladies. She gutted out a tough win in the 100 butterfly (58.39), just ahead of Sara Bertram (58.69), Lauren Yi (58.95), and Jordan Parry (58.96).

Brooke Malone was one of only two double winners on the girls’ side of the meet. The South County sophomore earned an impressive win in a hotly contested girls’ 200 individual medley with a winning time of 2:11.33. She beat out West Potomac‘s Bertram (2:11.58), L. Rogers (2:12.14), and TC Williams Abigail Cox (2:12.43).

Malone also won the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.51, beating Sophie Chase (Lake Braddock) and Rachel Rogers (Woodson), who finished in 1:07.68 and 1:08.40.

The other big winner on the girls side was Reanna Dona, senior at West Potomac, who finished her Patriot District career as the winner in the 50 freestyle (24.43) and 100 backstroke (57.95), the latter a new district record.

In the girls’ 200 freestyle, Robyn Dryer beat out West Potomac’s Hellen Moffitt and Lake Braddock’s Alyssa McGarry. Dryer finished in 1:55.63, pulling away from Moffitt (1:56.44) and A. McGarry (1:56.91) for the win.

Dryer and Moffitt would meet again in the 100 freestyle. This time Moffitt came out on top, winning in 53.89. She combined with teammate Maxine Clifford (54.01) to go 1-2 in the event. Robyn fell to third with a time of 54.08. TC Williams’ Gloriya Mavrova finished fourth in 54.62. Ward was fifth in 55.06.

Dona, Clifford, Bertram, and Moffitt got together to break the 200 medley relay record in a new time of 1:47.02, shattering the previous record of 1:50.50, set in 2008 by Lake Braddock. The same relay team would later win the 400 freestyle relay in 3:37.51.

In one of the few non-contests of the night, A. McGarry swam to a commanding lead in the 500 freestyle, winning by 11 seconds, with a time of 5:16.76, over Colleen Cox (TC Williams), who finished second in 5:27.96.

It will be a different game for the Cavaliers next week when they meet the winners from the Concorde, Liberty, and National Districts.

Defending girls’ regional and state champs Langley got an impressive win Saturday night, making a case for why they are still the team to beat, as did perennial challengers Yorktown and Oakton.

The boys’ regional meet will be a horse race between Woodson, Madison, and Oakton, who will stack up their super stars side by side next weekend at Oakmarr RECenter.

The AAA Northern Region championship meet gets started on Tuesday, Jan. 31, with girls’ diving. Boys’ diving will follow the next night, Feb. 1. Swimming relims this year will be split up, with the girls on Thursday and the boys on Friday. Finals will take place Saturday night with two heats in each event.

 Read more about the 2012 High School Championship meet season here.

The Cavalier boys’ team should have no problem repeating as Patriot District champions this weekend, Jan. 26-28, at Lee District RECenter, on their way to showdown with powerhouses Cox, Oakton, and Osbourn Park at the Va. AAA state championship meet, Feb. 17-18, at George Mason University, in Fairfax.

(photo by Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)

Woodson’s girl’s team will have a slightly tougher time winning this year’s Patriot District crown, with a strong West Springfield squad looking for payback after the Cavaliers ended their perfect season early this month. Also in the mix will be a hungry Lake Braddock and the reigning girls’ district champion, South County Stallions.

“No one saw South County’s girls coming out and swimming as well as they did last year” said Lake Braddock coach Scott Darwin. “It is going to be one of the most competitive women’s meets I can ever remember. Woodson, West Springfield, West Potomac, South County, and Lake Braddock all have at least one swimmer seeded first, and no school has more than two number-one seeds.”

Woodson, West Potomac, and West Springfield each have a relay seeded first, but every relay is up for grabs, and will be largely determined by where teams decide to stack their stars.

The Cavaliers will be sure to start the championship meet off on the right foot, with help from senior diver Samantha Eldridge, who is slotted number one going into Thursday’s dive events.

Once Friday night’s swimming prelims begin, the Patriot District talent will be on full display. Every team has swimmers who can step up and score big points in every race. Where those other swimmers place on Saturday night will play a major role in the outcome between Woodson and West Springfield.

If Woodson wants to hold off the Spartan ladies, they’ll need big races from freshman Leah Rogers and her sister, senior Rachel Rogers. Both will swim the 200 IM for the Cavaliers. Leah is seeded fourth with a time of 2:13.55, behind South County’s Brooke Malone (2:12.27), TC Williams’ Abigail Cox (2:13.04),and West Potomac’s Sara Bertram (2:13.07). Rachel is seeded sixth (2:16.78), behind MacKenzie Walsh (2:16.31) from South County.

L. Rogers over swim will come in the 100 butterfly (58.70) where she is slated first. Her sister Rachel is the third-seed in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.09), behind state qualifiers Malone (1:07.46) and Lake Braddock’s Sophie Chase (1:07.72).

Rachel Ward, the other half of Woodson’s sensational freshman duo, is seeded fifth in the 100 freestyle (56.31) and sixth in the 50 freestyle (25.74). But she’ll have a tough time moving up against the Patriot District’s best sprinters.

Freshman Robyn Dryer (West Springfield) has dominated all season, and leads the district in the 100 freestyle (53.95) and 200 freestyle (1:57.95). Along with Ward, she’ll face West Potomac’s Hellen Moffitt in the 100 freestyle. Moffitt has the top-end speed to beat Dryer in the 100 freestyle, where she is currently seeded eighth (57.49).

In the 200 freestyle, expect Moffitt to be a lot quicker than her 1:57.95 seed time. The Wolverine’s junior is an Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100 backstroke. Alyssa McGarry (Lake Braddock) is also a threat, despite her 2:01.62. McGarry is the breakaway favorite 500 freestyle (5:15.65) as well, seeded nearly 20 seconds ahead of West Springfield’s Mady Sieracki (5:34.90) and Kimberly Kellogg (3:38.90).

Moffitt’s All-Met teammate Reanna Dona leads the way in the 100 backstroke with a 1:00.83. She’s quickly followed by junior Morgan Bui (1:00.93) from Woodson.

“West Springfield has more depth at the top than we do,” said Woodson coach Brian Dufour. “Our team has to swim well on Friday night and get to those ‘A’ finals. The meet will close.”

The meet may not be so close on the boys’ side, where Woodson is expected to run away with the meet. West Springfield is solidly in second place, with the battle for third taking place between South County, Annandale, and Lake Braddock.

“It will be interesting to see how the district turns out this year with the competitiveness from first through fifth. it will be the first time in two years the meet will be a two day meet. It has been shortened for weather the last two years,” added Lake Braddock coach Scott Darwin.

Woodson is stacked in diving, holding the top two spots in the district, as well as the fourth and sixth seeds. Ben Schiesl and Eric Pavord lead the way, aided by Matt Hubbard and Declan Casey. Hubbard is the lone sophomore in this dominant group of freshmen boys.

On the swimming side, Woodson showcases its experience with a premier group of seniors, led by Bo Ilgenfritz, Nathan Pease, Alex Saffran, Colin Chartier, Eric Chestnut, and Dean Furst. They’ve led Woodson to a first seed in the 400 freestyle relay, and second seeds in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay, each behind West Springfield’s boys. They hope to lead the Cavaliers to their third consecutive boys’ Patriot District Championship, with sites on regional and states titles as well.

Individually, they will get plenty of competition from the rest of the district.

Ilgenfritz is the top seed in two events. In the 100 breaststroke, his only challenge comes from teammate Pease, seeded 59.46 and 1:01.29, respectively. He’ll have a much tighter race in the 200 IM where he is seed with a 2:02.31, just in front of Lake Braddock freshman Cole McGarry (2:03.96) and Woodson teammate Saffran (2:04.12).

McGarry will be chasing the Cavaliers all night. He is seeded third with a 54.06, behind junior star Jesse Kane in the 100 butterfly, seeded second with a 53.95, and senior Michael Herrmann (South County), seeded first with a 52.14. Chestnut follows in fourth (54.13), Colin Stephenson (54.26) and Jake Dickens (54.74) in fifth and sixth for the Spartans, with Michael Valceanu (West Potomac) seeded seventh, but certainly not out of the race, with a 55.31.

Herrmann’s South County teammate Evin Rude leads the way in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:46.89. He is followed by West Springfield’s Sean Mayer in 1:48.98 and Chartier in 1:50.74, in what should be a fast ‘A’ final. Rude is also the heavy favorite in the 500 freestyle, where he is the top seed by nearly 20 seconds, with a 4:50.87. Chartier is in second with a 5:10.58.

West Springfield shows off the depth of its sprinters in the 50 freestyle, seeded one, two. Jacob Anderson leads the way with a 21.77, followed by Matthew Garstka and Woodson’s Kane tied for the second with a 22.66.

Garstka will battle Woodson sophomore James Chung in the 100 freestyle. Garstka earned the top seed with a 49.40, followed by Chung with a 50.27, Garstka’s teammates Anderson (50.47) and Michael Speer (50.94), South County’s Alex Martin (51.00), and Woodson’s Furst (51.12) in a race that can be won or lost by a bad start or turn.

Herrmann, Mayer, and Saffran are spaced out in the 100 backstroke. Herrmann leads the way with a 52.88; Mayer in second with a 54.08; Saffran in third with a 56.33. While Herrmann might be too fast to catch, Mayer and Saffran should not overlook Annandale’s Daniel Jessen, just off the back with a 57.87. Saffran’s teammate Chung rounds out the top five with a 58.38.

The talented group of boys Woodson and West Springfield bring to the meet will make it exceedingly difficult for South County, Annandale, and Lake Braddock to get their boys into final heats, making it even more crucial for their super stars to step up and score big points to balance their ‘B’ finalists.

If South County can steal a relay from either Woodson or West Springfield, they could seal a third place finish ahead of Annandale and Lake Braddock. Expect a close results regardless of the order.

For the complete Patriot District Championship psych sheet click here.

Read more about the 2012 High School Championship meet season here.

Featured Meet of the Week: South County versus Lake Braddock in a Patriot District showdown

Led by senior Michael Herrmann, South County’s boys swim and dive team beat Lake Braddock on Friday night, 161-154, for the first time since the school opened in 2005. South County’s girls didn’t fare as well against the Bruins, falling 143-172.

Herrmann was untouchable on Friday night, placing first in each of the four events in which he competed. He won the 50 freestyle in 22.53 seconds, the 100 butterfly in 52.14, provided the key leg in the 200 medley and anchored the 400 freestyle relay to seal the win for the Stallions.

Lake Braddock graduated six state qualifiers from their boys team last year, but with freshmen such as Cole McGarry, who won the 200 individual medley (2:05.18) and finished second to Herrmann in the 100 butterfly (54.06), the Bruins’ future looks bright.

On the girls side, Lake Braddock’s team received an influx of freshmen talent this year, including sprinter Karina Kolb.

Kolb out-touched the competition in both the 50 freestyle (25.62) and 100 freestyle (55.62), the latter by .01 seconds.

Senior Alyssa McGarry was also a double winner for the Bruins. She cruised to wins in the 200 freestyle (2:01.88) and 500 freestyle (5:24.40).

They were aided by a first-through-third sweep by divers Lizzie White, Stephanie Chewning, and Rebecca Shelton.

The Bruin girls won all three relays by clear margins, making it difficult for South County to mount any sort of comeback.

The lone double winner for South County’s girls was Brooke Malone, who won the 200 individual medley (2:16.18) and 100 breaststroke (1:07.46) by just .39 seconds combined.

For full results, click here.

Bruins boys win big; Lake Braddock girls use full team effort to beat West Potomac ladies

On Saturday, Lake Braddock’s boys rebounded from Friday’s loss to beat West Potomac 209.5 to 105.5 and the Lake Braddock girls pulled out a close victory over a strong West Potomac team, 162-150.

The divers came through again, this time taking all four of the top positions. The swim team added second and third-place finishes in three events, as well as a key first-second finish by Sophie Chase and Jordan Parry in the 100 breaststroke.

West Potomac standouts Reanna Dona (senior) and Hellen Moffitt (junior) posted first-place finishes in four individual events and two relays for the Wolverines. Dona won the 100 fresstyle in 54.49 and the 100 backstroke in 1:04.02. Moffitt matched her success, winning the 200 freestyle in 1:58.16 and the 100 butterfly in 59.02.

For full results, click here.

Gaithersburg beats Springbrook

The Gaithersburg girls scored their first win of the season over the Springbrook girls, 112-56. The Trojan boys fell 98-68.

December 17 - Gaithersburg's Tyler Pham swimming backstroke against Springbrook. (photo provided by Gaithersburg High School)

The Trojan girls’ team was propelled by sweeps in the 50 freestyle by Victoria Zemil, Melanie Lyons, and Melissa Brown, and in the 100 freestyle by Ellen Anderson, Victoria Zemil, and Kiara Chavez.

All-Met Anderson posted winning times in the 100 freestyle (54.59) and 100 backstroke (1:00.37).

On the boys side, Springbrook star James Hisnanick won the 200 freestyle (1:51.07) and 500 freestyle (4:59.79) by wide margins.

In the loss, Gaithersburg swimmer Tyler Pham took first-place in 200 individual medley (2:02.99) and 100 backstroke 57.09.

Click here for full results.

Yorktown has a winning weekend; beats Stuart on Friday and Hayfield on Saturday

In back-to-back meets, Yorktown’s girls and boys teams emerged victorious. On Friday night, the boys won 98-88 over Stuart, while the girls dominated 143-43 over the lady Raiders.

Both teams continued their success the following night against Hayfield, winning 198-114 (boys) and 245-68 (girls), to advance to 4-0 on the season.

Will Tarkenton was a double winner against Stuart, with victories in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.

The girls team didn’t lose a single event against the Raiders, showing their depth with eight different first-place finishers in nine individual events.

Double winner Kirby Nassetta showed her versatility Friday, finishing first in the 100 butterfly and in diving.

Yorktown's 200 medley relay takes first place against Stuart; the Patriots won every relay on Friday night. (photo provided by Wayne Stocks)

On Saturday night, the boys’ team posted wins in 9 out of 12 events in the meet against Hayfield. Double winners were Max Fish (200 IM, 100 Breast) and Will Tarkenton (500 Free, 100 Back).

The girls secured their win against Hayfield with first place finishes in every event. Double winners were Stephanie Romano (200 IM, 500 Free) and Abby Young (50 Free, 100 Back).

The Patriot girls team won every relay over the weekend, as they continue to dominate the National District this season.

Woodson’s boys and girls improve to 4-0 with wins over Lee and Annandale

On Friday night, Woodson beat Lee 246-60 (boys) and 244-70 (girls).

Woodson’s divers swept the events first through fourth. Declan Casey won for the boys, while Mackenzie Wessling won on the girls side.

The meet was largely a race between Woodson swimmers, as the Caviliers rolled over the Lancers.

Bo Ilgenfritz broke a team record in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 59.46, also achieving his state cut time in the event.

Also in the 100 breaststroke, Nathan Pease reached his state qualifying time in 1:01.29.

Both 200 medley relay teams were under state qualifying time (1:40.58 & 1:40.65), but only one is allowed to represent Woodson at the championship meet in February.

Five other swimmers reached regional qualifying cuts in individual events.

Saturday was much the same for Woodson, as the boys and girls teams locked up their fourth wins of the season against Annandale, 205-110 (girls) and 219-96 (boys).

Woodson’s boys took first place in all but one event, including Colin Chartier (200 freestyle), Nathan Pease (200 individual medley), Bo Ilgenfritz (50 freestyle), Eric Chesnut (100 butterfly), James Chung (100 freestyle), Will Palfey (500 freestyle), and Ryan Alexander (100 backstroke).

The girls took six of eight individual swimming events. Hannah Basl won the 200 individual medley, Molly Rowland won the 50 freestyle, and Leah Rogers won the 100 freestyle.

The boys 400 freestyle relay team of Jesse Kane, Alex Saffran, James Chung, and Bo Ilgenfriz reached their state cut time in 3:18.16.

91 personal best times were achieved over the two days of competition.

Oakton Dominates in the pool against Herndon; remains undefeated after win over Centreville

Oakton went head to head with Herndon High School on Friday night at Oak Marr Recreation Center. Both Oakton’s boys and girls won for the third week in a row. The score for the boys was 194.5-120.5, and the score for girls was 213-99.

Janet Hu finished first place in both of her individual events, the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Dylan Staniszewski placed first in the 200 freestyle and second in 100 freestyle.

Carter Sharer placed first in both 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Conor Murphy placed first in 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Philip Hu also placed first in two events, the 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Denny Nguyen was first in 200 individual medley and second in 100 freestyle.

“Oakton really did a nice job across the board,” said Parker Ramsdell, Oakton’s head swim coach.

Oakton’s faced Centreville, Saturday night, at Oak Marr Recreation Center and the boys and girls both won again, staying undefeated this season. The boys won 239-76, and the girls won 226-86.

Oakton boys placed first in every event, including sweeps in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle, and 100 breaststroke. The girls swept the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and 100 backstroke.

Philip Hu placed first in both of his individual events — 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Carter Sharer took first in 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. Denny Nguyen finished first in 500 freestyle and in 100 backstroke.

Janet Hu took first in 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle. Laura Branton finished first in 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle.

“Everyone stepped up and performed well tonight,” said a proud and excited Nicole Abdullah, one of Oakton’s swim captains.

Oakton will return to the pool at 6:00 pm Friday, January 6, against Chantilly High School at Oak Marr.

Battlefield hands Broad Run boy’s their first dual meet loss in five years

Defending district champion Battlefield High School defeated the Broad Run boys and girls swim teams in a Cedar Run district meet Saturday.

The Battlefield boys won 155-130 and the girls won 182-104, in fast meet where most of the event winners posted AAA northwestern regional or state qualifying times.

Although each boys team won four individual events and Broad Run won two of the three relays, Battlefield’s deep roster provided the Bobcats with the margin of victory.

Broad Run’s Jacob Leidy lead the Spartans with two wins and two regional qualifying times, in the 100 fly (54.46) and 100 back (55.34).

Alan Horback won the 50 free in 23.12, also a regional qualifying time. Justin Allen turned in a personal best 2:12.45 to win the 200 I.M. Leidy and Horback teamed with Jack Morrisroe and Max Bailey for a dramatic win in the 200 medley relay, where Horback out-touched Battlefield’s Bob Chapman to take first by five hundredths of a second, 1:44.05 to 1:44.10.

Anna Sarman’s win in the 500 free (5:57.59) prevented a sweep of the individual events by the Battlefield girls.

Broad Run’s next meet is January 7 against Patriot High School.

Other results:

Gonzaga dominated Potomac 153-27 [full results]; Stone Ridge crusies over Potomac 118-61 [full results].

Tuscarora beat Woodgrove 176-109 (girls); 168-104 (boys) [full results].

St. Alban’s beat Heights 119-47 [full results].

Highlights and summaries from this week’s high school wrap up were submitted by coaches and parents from the various teams. If you would like your team to be included in each week’s feature, please send your summaries, highlights and scores to flahertyb@washpost.com or upload directly to your team’s page.

Find all high school top times from the 2011-2012 season here. Full scores and results from the 2011-2012 season here.

Churchill girls and boys win against Walter Johnson

At the Gaithersburg Aquatic Center on Saturday, the Churchill girls (1-0) were up by a mere three points over Walter Johnson going into the final free relay. Churchill was able to take first and third to seal the win 90-81.

The opening medley relay set the tone for the victorious Bulldogs. Although the Wildcats won the relay (1:57.74), the Bulldogs placed second, third and fourth.

Walter Johnson showed off some star power, winning nine of 12 events, but couldn’t handle Churchill’s depth.

The Wildcat’s Haley Nugent (15) won the 200 free (2:03.26) and 100 breaststroke (1:11.45). Cara Machlin (17) was also a double winner, placing first in the 100 butterfly (1:03.29) and 100 backstroke (1:05.26). Sammy Holden (15) finished first in the 200 IM in 2:20.79 and Annie Kastler (17) won diving for Walter Johnson.

Churchill’s Michelle Illig (17) finished in 25.10 to win the 50 freestyle. She also won the 100 freestyle in 55.35. The Bulldogs’ final first place was in the 500 freestyle, where Taylor Fisher (17) won in 5:42.61.

The Churchill boys (1-0) beat the Wildcats 103 to 68.

Sprinter Colin Asbury (18) demonstrated that he can swim any distance by winning the 200 freestyle (1:52.58).  The Bulldogs went on to win the next four events. Todd Erickson (17) won the 200 IM (2:10.27), Odin Soevik (17) won the 50 freestyle (22.85), Tim Faerber (17) placed first in diving (221.950), and Eric Eig (17) won the 100 butterfly (55.24). Erickson also won the 100 backstroke (56.64). Mark Richardson (15) won the 100 breaststroke (1:06.14).

Walter Johnson’s Brian Daza (17) won the 100 freestyle in 50.80. In the 500 freestyle, Michael Kirchner (16) placed first in 5:06.85.

Damascus beats Gaithersburg 111-58 (boys), 110-61 (girls)

Gaithersburg started off the meet well, winning both the boys’ and girls’ medley relays, but Damascus had too much depth for the Trojans, taking the majority of the first-place points.

“Going into the meet today, I knew it was going to be tough,” Gaithersburg Coach Shannon King said. “Damascus moved down from Division 2 this year, so they will be our toughest meet by far. I thought the kids really swam well today, against a very good team.”

Gaithersburg’s winners were Ellen Anderson (senior) in both the 200 (1:55.49) and 500 freestyle (5:01.81) and Nicole Polen (sophomore) in the 200 IM (2:25.70) and 100 butterfly (1:02.97).

Matthew Valencia battled to the finish in the 500 free, losing by .26 seconds, to Damascus’s Kunal Chawla (17).

Damascus was able to win a number of events, including Garrett Merlino (16) in the 200 freestyle, David Dorsey (16) in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, Carlos Espinoza (16) in the 50 and 100 freestyle, Joseph Tabor (16) in the 100 butterfly, and Shaun Yaniga in the 100 backstroke.

Damascus won both diving events, Samantha Dembo (14) for the girls and Hunter Botsford (14) for the boys.

Full results click here.

Lake Braddock continues to roll with wins over Lee

Lake Braddock’s girls’ team beat Lee 225.5-81.5 on Friday night. The boys’ side was even more lopsided as the Bruins won 235-73 over the Lancers.

Lake Braddock lost only one event all night, winning all 12 boys events and 11 of the 12 girls events.

Double-event winners for the boys included Jackson Hannam in the 50 and 100 freestyle, Andrew Laffosse in the 200 and 500 freestyle, and Blake Murphy in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke. Taylor Parry was the lone double winner for the girls, winning the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.

The Bruins will face South County on Friday (6 p.m.) at Lee District and West Potomac on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) at South Run. Also in back to back meets this weekend, Lee will meet Woodson on Friday (8:30 p.m.) and West Springfield on Saturday (6 p.m.), at Lee District Rec.

Richard Montgomery wins against Quince Orchard

Girls won 121-59.

Boys won 105-66.

Standout performers of the night include Ben Hsieh (17) who took first in the 100 butterfly (56.56) for RMHS and Michael Palmiere (16) who won the 100 backstroke (59.61) for Quince Orchard.

Full results [click here]

W.T. Woodson wins again

The score belies how close this meet really was, many points being won or lost by less than half a second. In the end, the Cavalier boys beat West Potomac 208-107, while the girls’ team won 183.5-131.5. Senior captain Samantha Eldridge (Woodson) logged her regional qualifying scores in diving.

Yorktown wins meets with Mount Vernon; opens season 2-0

The Patriot boys won their meet with a score of 129–56 with nine first place wins in the 12 events.  First place finishes in individual events came from Griffin Romanek (200 IM), Chris Clements (50 free), Hunter Simmons (diving), David Emson (100 fly), Jason Henley (100 back) and Jack Storrs (100 breast).

The girls won their meet with a score of 120–65, also with nine first place finishes in the 12 events.  Double winners were Grace Greenwood (200 free, 500 free) and Izzy Pasternak (50 free, 100 back). Other individual event winners were Elena Bavolac (diving) and Ellie Belilos (100 fly).

Yorktown swept all six relay events.

The Patriots return to the pool next weekend with two dual meets, facing Stuart on Friday at the Yorktown pool and heading to Fairfax on Saturday for a meet with Hayfield. Both meets begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Majors will face Edison on Friday at GW Rec and head to Wakefield on Saturday. Both meets begin at 6:30 p.m.

Colonels girls beat Springbrook, while the Blue Devils boys got the better of Magruder

Magruder’s girls team won 133-30 over Springbrook, but the Springbrook boys won a close one, 89.5-81.5.

Full results here.

Blair falls to Wooton

Wooton’s girls team won 109-62. Boys beat the Blazer boys 94-75.

Full results here.

Briar Woods girls and boys teams beat Fauquier

Briar Woods girls team won 211-75 over Fauquier. The boys won 177-97.

Briar Woods only lost one event in the wins.

Full results here.

Other results:

Rockville times from 12/10 meet against Kennedy [click here]

Loudoun County times from 12/09 [click here]

Briar Woods times from 12/10 meet against Woodgrove [click here]

Falls Church boys win over Edison 212-99; Girls 198-84

Many teams in Virginia will double up their meets next weekend, swimming both Friday and Saturday night. High school swimming will finish the 2011 part of the season next week, but keep checking RFTW for news and updates from the swimming world.

Highlights and summaries from this week’s high school wrap up were submitted by coaches and parents from the various teams. If you would like your team to be included in each week’s feature, please send your summaries, highlights and scores to flahertyb@washpost.com or upload directly to your team’s page.

Former All-Met and Olympian Kate Ziegler is seeded first in several events at this weekend's PVS Senior Short Course Championships. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

As was chronicled earlier with the women qualifiers with local ties, here are the men that have qualified for the NCAA championships.

There are five locals who will compete, and the highest seed goes to 2008 All-Met Swimmer of the Year Eric Friedland, who is seeded third in the 200 breaststroke.

Matt McLean, Virginia – 500 freestyle (12th, 4:17.21), 200 freestyle (12th, 1:34.76), 1650 freestyle (10th, 14:56.91)

Michael Flach, South Carolina – 500 freestyle (21st, 4:19.37), 200 freestyle (36th, 1:36.62), 200 butterfly (32nd, 1:47.11)

Stephen Sakaris, Ohio State – 500 freestyle (46th, 2:24.27), 200 freestyle (32nd, 1:36.42)

Adam Meyer, Navy – 200 IM (30th, 1:45.82), 200 breaststroke (32nd, 1:57.49), 200 butterfly (18th, 1:44.36)

Eric Friedland, Texas – 200 IM (37th, 1:46.72), 100 breaststroke (16th, 53.44), 200 breaststroke (3rd, 1:54.32)

In addition to the local swimmers, the local universities are also sending several athletes to compete:

Virginia Tech (1), Virginia (7) and Navy (1).

Expect several local divers to qualify as well following the completions of zones, which started Thursday and run through the end of the week.

SENIOR CHAMPS

The PVS Senior short course championships will be held this weekend at George Mason University and several locals will be taking part, including Olympian Kate Ziegler.

Ziegler is seeded first in the 1650 freestyle (16:19.12), 200 freestyle (1:46.94), 500 freestyle (4:41.52), 100 freestyle (51.72) and 1000 freestyle (9:34.12). Ziegler is also seeded third in the 200 butterfly (56.63) and 5th in the 50 freestyle (24.31).

There should be some interesting match-ups between some of the area’s top young swimmers and Ziegler in some races, including the 200 fly in which she is seeded 1.61 seconds behind former All-Met Gabrielle Mizerak and .13 seconds behind West Potomac freshman Hellen Moffitt.

In the 50 freestyle, 14-year-old Janet Hu is seeded first, while West Potomac sophomore Reanna Dona is third, ahead of Ziegler. Former Heritage standout Valerie McMullan and 15-year-old Kendall Hough also are seeded above Ziegler in that event.

Holy Cross’s Katie Rogers sits just .16 behind Ziegler in the 100 freestyle.

Other former local swimmers returning with top seeds include Zach Hayden (Stonewall Jackson), Mizerak, Kaitlin Mills (Good Counsel) and Doug Mackenzie (Gonzaga).

See the full psych sheet here.

JUNIOR CHAMPS

While many of those younger swimmers are seeded at the top of events at Senior Champs this weekend, there is no guarantee they will participate at Senior Champs this weekend.

Instead, many swimmers will rest in preparation for the week ahead at the National Club Swimming Association Junior Nationals in Orlando.

The psych sheet has not yet been posted, but check reachforthewall.com for updates from the meet next week.

The snowstorms that paralyzed the metro region over the past week might have made a lasting impact on swimmers who could not practice with pools closed. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

As the metro area recovers from a week of snowstorms that crippled the region, winter sport athletes that have been unable to practice or play are now regrouping for a hectic championship season.

Perhaps more than any other individual athlete, however, swimmers that have been snowed into their homes and out of the pool could feel a negative impact from the snow.

Facing the challenge of preparing for championship meets following a week-long hiatus from a normal practice schedule, area coaches have concerns about the effect it may have on the swimmers readiness for the crucial meets that remain this season.

Time out of the pool has a direct impact on several areas of a swimmer’s preparation, several coaches said. Physiologically, the fast- and slow-twitch muscles that have been trained a certain way for months during a season are now in need of the repetition in some form – even if it’s decreased yardage during a taper.

“The taper period is critical in any swimmer’s season, scientifically it’s about super compensation which basically the body super compensates for the work that the athlete has done through the past 24 to 26 weeks of the season,” Georgetown swim coach Steven Cartwright said. “And the decrease in yardage for a certain period of time in preparation for a championship meet is crucial to allow that super compensation to take place. Being in the water every day, 10 to 14 days out of your championship meet is critical.

“One of the most important aspects that a swimmer can’t lose in leading up to their championship meet is their feel for the water and anybody that has swum and been out of the water just from a Saturday morning practice to a Monday afternoon practice, just that day and a half out of the water a swimmer knows that type of feel. So not being in the water before a championship meet, especially during a taper phase, that could prove to be detrimental.”

In addition to the physiological impact on missing practices, there could be a negative psychological impact to “feeling good” in the water after a taper workout, Cartwright said. Swimmers use tapers to get in the right mindset for a meet, and also to fine tune important aspects of their race for championship season.

Being out of the water could affect that preparation by throwing off the physical rhythm, which creates a chain reaction.

“As your body rests there are neurological changes your body is going to go through which may affect your stroke count which is going to affect your turns, etc., etc.,” Cartwright said. “The biggest thing that happens during a taper period is your body adjusts.”

Said Walter Johnson Coach Jamie Grimes: “Just one practice off [is tough], you lose your feel for the water in about three or four days. Most kids when they get back in water need time to remember swimming and muscle memory.”

Swimmers understand the impact the extended break could have, and many made efforts to find their way into a pool.

Fairfax County RECenters were open only for limited hours on just a couple of days over the past week, and it often was up to the individual swimmers to find a way to the pool through the unplowed streets — and then to get in a workout without the direction of a coach to give them sets.

West Potomac freshman Hellen Moffitt went one week between practices with her club team.

“We don’t have a four-wheel drive so it’s been kind of hard getting places,” Moffitt said. “I’ve basically stayed inside except when I’m swimming.”

Moffitt was able to get to a nearby pool with her father a few times as she attempted to lessen the impact of her time out of the water. But even with just a few days away from practice and with a workout that didn’t quite measure up to a normal team practice, the time out of the pool took its toll.

“Yeah I could feel it,” Moffitt said on Wednesday. “It took a while for my muscles to get used to it and it kind of hurt a little bit. I think I’m better now. ….. I’m just hoping and waiting [for club practice].”

All-Met Oakton senior Bradley Phillips, who won two Virginia AAA Concorde District events with automatic All-American times and will swim at U-Va. next year, said he has trekked through the snow to the end of the street where he parked his car in order to get to practice, which was held at a private facility.

All-Met Seton senior Jameson Hill, who earlier this month at National Catholics turned in three automatic All-American times and snapped two meet records – including the 500 freestyle mark set in 1977 by Olympian Bobby Hackett – said he has shoveled out the driveway so that he can hop into the Hummer he and his coach and guardian, Rick Benner, use to drive the five minutes to practice.

Hill has only missed one day in the pool during the snowstorm, even getting in an afternoon practice during Wednesday’s blizzard. Like Bradley, Hill uses a privately-operated pool.

“It definitely is important to stay on your routine and all that stuff,” said Hill, who will swim for Georgia. “But also for swimmers, just that conditioning requirement to compete at a high level, if you miss a couple days it takes a couple more days to get back to where you were, so you lost twice as much as you thought you lost.”

Coaches who were forced to cancel practice due to closed facilities could do little to help the situation. Some sent out e-mail reminders about dry land workouts – stretch cords, abs, core exercises, jump rope – that can help conditioning, but with most pools closed, the coaches and swimmers were at the mercy of the snowstorm.

“That ability to [taper] and being able to set your pace and get things done you need to do is critical, you just can’t stop it all,” Cartwright said. “So being out of the water during this time it’s something, it’s a coach’s nightmare.”

Oakton All-Met junior Kaitlin Pawlowicz turned in two automatic All-American times and won two events on Thursday night. (Photo by Joel Richardson for the Washington Post)

NORTHERN REGION GIRLS FULL RESULTS

One of the few championship events able to get in before the snow was the girls’ Northern Region swim championships.

Thursday night’s preliminaries were held as timed finals and likely will be the final results for the meet, though there is an outside chance a finals will be held next week. The boys’ finals will be held at Washington-Lee pool Oak Marr RECenter at 5:30 p.m. next Friday, Feb. 12.

Northern Region boys’ diving was held last night, and the girls’ diving will be held next Friday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Audrey Moore RECenter in Annandale.

Robinson‘s relay of Christine Canty, Rachel Canty, Becca Bott and Hannah Walden opened the night with a time of 1:49.21 in the 200 medley to win an incredibly close event in which the top four teams finished with All-American consideration times. The Rams were followed by McLean (1:49.84), West Springfield (1:50.52) and W.T. Woodson (1:50.82)

Langley‘s Jayme Katis won the 200 yard freestyle in a time of 1:53.56, nearly two seconds ahead of her nearest competitor — Chantilly sophomore Brenna Ferris (1:55.53). Oakton freshman Dylan Staniszewski (1:56.89) finished third.

Oakton All-Met junior Kaitlin Pawlowicz won the 200 individual medley with an automatic All-American time of 2:01.41. The time just missed the region record of 2:01.06 set by 2007-08 All-Met Swimmer of the Year Ashley Danner. Falls Church freshman Laura Schwartz took second in the event in an automatic All-American 2:05.21, while Robinson sophomore Rachel Canty was third (2:08.67).

Pawlowicz doubled up when she won the 100 butterfly in an automatic All-American time of 55.34 – again just missing the region record of 55.01 set by Michelle Griglione set in 1986. Yorktown‘s Kaitlin Wolla finished second in 56.88, followed by Langley junior Megan Howard (57.72) and West Potomac freshman Hellen Moffitt (57.89).

In the 50 freestyle, West Potomac went one-two, with sophomore Reanna Doña finishing at the top in 24.49 and Moffitt coming in at 24.54. Howard finished third in 24.63.

In the 100 freestyle, McLean junior Eva Green took the top spot in an All-American consideration 51.74, ahead of Walden (53.01) and Katis (53.14).

Greene doubled up her winnings in the 100 backstroke, finishing first in an automatic All-American time of 56.63, narrowly missing her own record of 56.21 set last year. Doña finished second in 58.71 and Lake Braddock senior Christina McGarry took third in 1:00.35.

Schwartz, the Jaguars freshman, took the 500 yard freestyle win in an All-American consideration time of 5:00.86, beating out Robinson’s Bott (5:09.12) and Chantilly’s Ferris (5:09.27)

West Springfield senior SinHye Won won the 100 breaststroke in an automatic All-American time of 1:03.92, ahead of Canty (1:05.12) and Herndon sophomore Jenna VanCamp (1:06.88).

Langley’s relay of Meghan Overend, Howard, Katis and freshman Abi Speers took the 200 freestyle relay win in an All-American consideration 1:38.87, followed by Yorktown (1:39.65) and Oakton (1:40.31). The Saxons (Allie Zeidan, Speers, Overend, Katis) also won the 400 freestyle relay in an All-American consideration time of 3:36.76, followed by McLean, South County and Oakton.

Oakton's K.J. Park turned in two district records as the Cougars snapped Robinson' 12-year win streak. (Photos Provided By Taylor Soldner, Oakton Media Group)

Snow on Saturday forced teams to prepare for district championships earlier than anticipated, as three of the four districts in the Northern Region held timed finals and relays on Friday night around the area.

Madison’s boys’ and girls’ teams took home titles in the Liberty District, W.T. Woodson’s boys’ and girls’ earned championships in the Patriot and the Oakton’s boys and Robinson’s girls won titles in the Concorde.

The National District finals will be held tonight at Washington-Lee Pool.

It was a weekend dominated by youth, as several younger swimmers turned in breakout performances in the meets. A freshman boy and sophomore girl won a title and two sophomore girls won two events in the Concorde, a freshman girl and sophomore boy took a title and a sophomore girl won two in the Patriot and three freshmen girls, a sophomore boy and sophomore girl won in the Liberty.

CONCORDE DISTRICT: FULL RESULTS (.doc)

The Oakton boys’ win ended one of Robinson’s dominant streaks, as the Rams had taken home 12 straight district titles before the Cougars halted things this weekend. Oakton finished with 492 points to Robinson‘s 404, with Herndon taking third at 334.

Leading Oakton were seniors Bradley Phillips and K.J. Park, both of whom won two individual events – and set district records along the way.

Phillips won the 200 freestyle in a automatic All-American record time of 1:41.73, nearly four seconds faster than second-place Charlie Keith (Westfield; 1:45.48), and also won the 500 freestyle with an automatic All-American time of 4:32.14 – more than 10 seconds ahead of Westfield’s Kurtis Ratcliff (4:43.01).

Park, meanwhile, enjoyed what Oakton Coach Hunter Owen called “really a standout meet.” Taking titles in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley, Park set district records in both and had an automatic All-American time in the breast (56.62). He won the 200 IM in 1:54.10, just .08 off the automatic All-American time..

Other winners on the boys’ side were: the Oakton 200 medley relay of Phillip Hu, Park, Zach Smith and Steven Robbins (automatic All-American 1:36.60), Robinson’s Ricky Munch (50 free, 21.39), Westfield’s Ratliff (100 fly, 52.13), Robinson’s Matt Osiecki (100 free, 48.59), Robinson’s 200 freestyle relay of Cameron Boster, Osiecki, Johann Shim and Munch (1:28.04), Hu (100 back, 52.25), Oakton’s 400 freestyle relay of Hu, Park, Megaw and Phillips (district record 3:11.37).

On the girls’ side, the Rams’ girls captured a fourth straight title behind a deep roster that scored points through every event, though they had just one individual title. Robinson finished with 515 points, outdistancing Oakton’s 443 and Westfield’s 316.

Robinson won relay titles to start and end the meet. The 200-medley relay of Christine Canty, Rachel Canty, Becca Bott and Hannah Walden opened the meet with by winning in 1:50.69, and the group of Kathleen Dodson, Bott, Tori Baker and Walden won the 400 free relay in 3:39.62.

Double winners on the night were Oakton junior Kaitlin Pawlowicz (200 IM, 2:07.33 and 100 fly, 57.28), Chantilly sophomore Brenna Ferris (200 free, 1:56.32 and 500 free, 5:15.64) and Westfield sophomore Carli Molano (50 free, 24.54 and 100 free, 53.93).

Other winners included Oakton’s 200 free relay of Leanne Hyer, Quinn Wilkinson, Erin Reynolds and Pawlowicz (1:41.14), Robinson senior Christine Canty (100 back, 1:00.72) and Herndon sophomore Jenna VanCamp (100 breast, 1:07.07) – narrowly out-touching Robinson sophomore Rachel Canty’s 1:07.17.

LIBERTY DISTRICT: TEAM RESULTS (pdf); INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (pdf)

Madison took home titles in both boys’ and girls’ in a tightly-contested meet that lived up to the expectations.

The Warhawks’ girls finished with 435.5 points, edging Langley (404.5) and McLean (323), while Madison’s boys took home a title by finishing atop a close race with 404.5 points – ahead of Fairfax (393), Langley (334) and Jefferson (332.5).

Madison was led by senior Adam Pennington, who won the 200-yard freestyle with a district record 1:43.21 in the meet’s first individual event, out-touching Jefferson’s Stephen Seliskar (1:43.39) and Langley’s Ryan Natal (1:43.71) in a race in which first and third was separated by half a second. Pennington also won the 500 free with an All-American consideration time of 4:38.08.

The top performer in the meet might have been Langley’s Chuck Katis, who turned in an automatic All-America time of 1:53.88 to win the title in the 200 IM by almost five seconds. Katis also took home the title in the 100 breast with an automatic all-American time of 57.46, breaking teammate Stephen Richards’ district record in the process.

Fairfax senior Joey Kelly won the 50 freestyle (21.52) and Natal won the 100 butterfly in 51.93 – out-touching Seliskar’s 52.08, South Lakes senior Brad Dillon’s 52.53 and Fairfax junior Austin Patteson’s 52.87.

Langley senior Richards won the 100 free title (47.69), while the Jefferson 200 free relay of Alex Dona, Sam Speers, Seliskar and Matt Callahan won with an All-American consideration time of 1:27.96.

McLean junior Charlie Putnam won the 100 back (AAC – 51.97) and Langley’s 400 free relay of Natal, David Case, Katis and Richards won in an All-American consideration 3:12.46 – .10 short of the district record of 3:12.36 set by Madison last year. Langley’s 200 medley relay of Richards, Katis, Alex Brumas and Chris Pivik also won a title with an automatic All-American time of 1:36.82, breaking Jefferson’s district record of 1:37.96 set in 2007.

McLean junior Eva Greene won a title in the 200 free (1:54.44) and 100 backstroke (AAC – 57.84), while freshman teammate Annie Springsteen took the crown in the 200 IM in 2:15.03 – just hundredths of a second ahead of Jefferson’s Katie Bennet (2:15.13) and South Lakes sophomore Emily Sennett (2:15.26).

Langley freshman Abi Speers won the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.47, and Sennett won the 100 fly in 59.67. Langley junior Jayme Katis outdistanced Speers for the title in the 100 free with a time of 53.95, while Madison junior Bev Dobrenz gave the Warhawks their only individual title with a win in the 500 freestyle (5:21.26). Fairfax freshman Matty Ferguson won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.35.

McLean’s 400 free relay of Margaret Harlow, Springsteen, Greene and Katie Yensen set a district record with a time of 3:39.69. Other relay winners were McLean’s 200 medley relay of Greene, Springsteen, Harlow and Yensen (1:51.31) and Langley’s 200 free relay of Katis, Torrie Zarella, Megan Howard and Speers (1:41.27).

PATRIOT DISTRICT: TEAM RESULTS (.rtf); INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (.rtf)

In what was the closest win of the weekend, the W.T. Woodson girls’ used a big win in the 400 freestyle relay at the end of the night to edge out a win over West Springfield, finishing with 416 points to the Spartans 394 and Lake Braddock‘s 383.

Junior Jill King split a 53 as the anchor in the 400 free relay along with Rachel Rogers, Maggie Rodgers and Caitlin Rider to give the Cavaliers the win in 3:42.33, ahead of West Potomac‘s 3:45.28. King also took the 50 freestyle title with a time of 25.31.

West Springfield opened the night with its relay of Susan Ward, Lauren Yi, Hannah Hagy and SinHye Won winning the 200 medley in an All-American consideration time of 1:50.81, .31 short of the district record 1:50.50 set by Lake Braddock in 2008.

Won won both the 200 IM (2:11.50) and 100 breaststroke titles, turning in an automatic All-American time of 1:04.35 in the breast.

South County senior Courtney Walsh took the 200 freestyle crown in 1:59.34 just ahead of teammate Alison Smith’s 1:59.68, and West Potomac freshman Hellen Moffitt won the 100 butterfly in 58.38, just shy of the district record of 58.01 set by Katie McAdoo in 2000.

Moffitt’s teammate, sophomore Reanna Dona, won the 100 freestyle title in 53.02 and also took the crown in the 100 backstroke, setting a new district record in 58.65 – beating Moffitt’s 59.37.

West Springfield junior Kathryn Sieracki won the 500 free in 5:17.59, and the Spartans’ 200 free relay of Ward, Hagy, Won and Jessica Zeppieri set a district record with a time of 1:41.14, besting the 1:41.89 mark set by West Springfield in 2003.

On the boys’ side, Woodson’s 200 medley relay of Diet Dallmeier, Michael Chesnut, Braden Baffer and Kevin Vest opened the night by setting a district record with a time of 1:38.19, knocking off the mark of 1:39.33 set by Lee in 2007.

Chesnut won the title in the 200 freestyle (1:45.63), while Vest took the 50 free title in an All-American consideration time of 21.40. Vest doubled up his individual titles by also winning the 100 freestyle in 48.09 and Chesnut made it two with a win in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:01.12.

West Springfield senior Sean Nickley won the 200 IM in 2:01.62, South County sophomore Michael Herrmann took the title in the 100 fly in 52.41, West Potomac junior Mark Mattis won the 500 free in 4:57.67 and Annandale junior Kyle Tyrrell took the 100 back title in 52.71.

Woodson’s 200 free relay of Bo Ilgenfritz, Connor Wander, Dean Furst and Braden Baffer took the title in 1:30.93 and their 400 free relay of Vest, Baffer, Dallmeier and Chesnut finished the relay sweep with a time of 3:15.47