In years past it was the high school athletes that stood by the pool as the younger swimmers finalized the outcome at the University of Virginia Aquatic Center. This year the script was flipped as the elder athletes took to the pool on the second day at first-year venue Fork Union Military Academy’s Estes Center. That shift played a major role.
Of course there’s another factor that played into the drama at the 2012 Jefferson Swim League Championship — swimming continues to grow, as evidenced with large teams from the Crozet and the Fluvanna Aquatic Swim Team. But Fairview has owned the JSL title for 21 years, and while it came into the final day trailing, it’s elite high school swimmers followed through on what they always do, winning one event after another to secure the group’s 22nd straight title, this time by a margin of 73.5 points over Crozet with FAST just 94.5 points behind the runner up in third.
“I don’t think it was just about today and only today because we knew that every single time improvement was going to a place improvement for the younger swimmers,” said Fairview coach J.J. Bean. “We knew we had a strong team for today’s session but also knew that we had to do well (in the younger groups) so we spent a lot of extra time trying to get them stronger. Every session of kids had a job to do here. It’s hard for older kids to drop a lot of time, they’re year-round swimmers. But younger kids can drop like crazy. We had a job to do though and knew we couldn’t make any mistakes.”
As such for those outside of Fairview, the team’s deficit coming into the last day in the pool this summer provided an element of drama.
“It’s the nature of the sport that everyone was saying ‘Wow, Fairview is down by 140 points,’” Bean said. “The truth is, we were happy to be down by that much. It could have been worse.”
So Bean was elated by the work of the work of his youthful swimmers. But as humble as Bean was about the comeback, a staple for him in victory, while the younger swimmers kept the meet from getting out of hand, it was still the oldest and highest level swimmers that capped the victory.
“We went into the afternoon session in a bit better position than we thought we’d be, but had to fight to close the deal and do what we do with the big kids,” Bean said. “Being number one means everyone is out to beat you and those kids have had a lot of pressure on them because every meet has been close all season long. I think they knew today was going to be the shining moment for them.”
Headed to Virginia Tech, in her last year with the team, Holly Harper participated in four events and finished first in each one including the 100 meter free style, 50 backstroke, 50 free style and the 200 free relay. The Albemarle graduate has been in the JSL since she was six years of age and was just a bit bittersweet about her last day swimming with her teammates and for Bean.
“I was really nervous for the 50 free because that’s an event where it’s anyone’s game,” Harper said. “Coach came to (the older swimmers) and said it was all on us to carry the team. So I was determined to do what I could, show everybody that I’m still on top. In my backstroke my suit ripped but I was still able to win that and laugh at myself. The 100 free was my last event on my own here so I wanted to go out as fast as I could. The relay, it was the last for me with my teammates so I went all out.”
Her fellow Fairview teammate and former Albemarle teammate Matt Lockman, a rising junior for the Patriots, did the same by sweeping his field with his 100 free providing a pivotal moment in the day.
“Coach told us that we weren’t supposed to take the lead until Matt’s 100 free, so that really motivated us afterwards,” Harper said.
Lockman won the 100 free, He also won the 50 fly and the participated in the top 200 medley relay along with Ryan Mitchell, Keenan Sochor and Robert Robison. Mitchell had a strong day as well as he won the 100 IM in addition to the role he played on the free relay team.
“I take this meet pretty seriously because Fairview has been on such a long winning streak that it’s a lot of pressure,” Lockman said. “My nerves were through the roof. That’s good to some respect because it gets me pumped up so I just went for it… but it is a team event in the end and even though (the 15-18’s) caught us up, the little kids, they did a great job holding their own in their events.”
On the girls 200 free relay with Harper as the anchor was her younger sister, Hannah Harper and Jeanette Yan and Corie Morton. The boys in the same race also finished out front thanks to Sochor, Reece Echelberger, Robison and Collin Hensien. Hannah Harper also won the girls 50 fly.
For second place Crozet, the girls won the 15-18 200 medley relay thanks to Anna Corley, Emma McKinley, Lexi Campbell and Elsa Strickland. Cronk also headed to Virginia Tech, won the 100 IM. Crozet tied Fairview for the regular season title, an accomplishment in its self besides taking a substantial run at the JSL’s top dog come championship time.
“We improved a lot as a team as the season went on,” said coach Greg Ramaly. “We had a terrific showing from the 8-under and 10-unders. I think we have an excellent foundation moving forward to next year and continuing after that. So it was a very successful season, vying for the regular season championship and finishing second here. We’re already excited about next and getting better and stronger.”
Other winners in the 15-18 age group included ACAC’s Seana Acker who won the 50 breast. In the same event for the boys, Covenant’s Eli Holstege placed first. Green Hills’ Brian Snow won the 50 meter back.
13-14 year olds
On the boys side, Fluvanna Aquatics’ Nick Switzer grabbed the high point nod with victories in the 100 IM, the 50 backstroke and the 50 breast. His FAST age group had a big session with a win in the 200-medley relay and his teammate David Dixon’s win in the 50 fly.
Greene Hills’ Chas Sigloh dominated the free style segment with wins in the 50 freestyle and 100 free. Fairview took the 200-freestyle relay.
On the girls side, Fairview’s Emma Lockman and Forest Lakes’ Maggie Woods had big meets. Lockman took the 100-IM and 50-back while Woods won the 50-free and 50-fly. Fores Lakes also won the 200-free and 200-medley relays.
ACAC’s Madison Haise won the 100-free and Boar’s Head’s Colleen Higgins took the 50-breast.
11-12 year olds
In the boys 11-12 year old grouping, the City Swordfish swept the high point winners with Bracken Eddy taking the boys title and Ashley Huang grabbing the girls title.
Eddy won the 100-IM and 50-freestyle but he had to fend off Boar’s Head’s Harry Saunders who won the 50-back and 100-free for the title.
FAST’s Morgan Milburn won the boys 50-fly and Forest Lakes’ Austin Katstra took the 50-breast. Fairview won the 200-free relay while Crozet’s squad won the 200-medley relay.
On the girls side, Huang was dominant, rolling to wins in the 100-IM, 50-fly and 50-back. Crozet’s Elizabeth House also had a big meet with wins in the 50 and 100-free. Fluvanna’s Gabby Tosi won the 50-breast. Fairview won the 200-free relay while Forest Lakes won the 200-medley battle.
9-10 year olds
On the strength of brothers Oliver and Henry Van Wincoop, Fairview made its mark in the 9-10 age group. Both brothers won two events with Oliver Van Wincoop taking the 50-free and 50-back while Henry grabbed titles in the 50-breast and 100-free. Fairview’s Lucas Smith also struck with a win in the 50-fly. The Fairview 200-medley team picked up a victory too while Forest Lakes won the 200-free.
ACAC’s Zachary Ashby won the 100-IM to round out the boys side.
On the girls side, Fluvanna Aquatics found its stride with an explosive effort. winning everything but the 100-free as Forest Lakes’ Lauren McDonald got the win there.
Fluvanna’s Alexa Owen won the 100-IM, 50-free and 50-fly to take the high point award and the Fluvanna 200-medley and 200-free relay each won. FAST’s Abby Harlow won the 50-breast and teammate Emma DiFazio took the 50-back to round out the age group.
8 and under
Crozet dominated the boys 8 and under portion, winning all but one event in the class with Farmington’s John Buetow’s victory in the 25-fly preventing a sweep.
Crozet’s Tom House and Matthew Heilman split the high point award, with Heilman winning the 25-breast and 50-free while House took the 25-free and 25-back. Crozet also won the 100-medley relay and 100-free relay.
ACAC’s Athena Vanyo set the pace on the girls side with wins in the 25-free, 25-breast and 50-free while teammate CeCe Cannell won the 25-back. Fluvanna Aquatics’ Zoe Dixon took the 25-fly and Fluvanna and ACAC split the relay with ACAC taking the 100-free and FAST taking the 100-medley.
