Contributed by Amy Williams
The Lake Monticello Swim Team (LMST) was set to host the City of Charlottesville Swordfish, for the final meet of the regular summer swim season, on Wednesday, July 17, but a slow moving thunderstorm would send families home before the meet even began. On Thursday, July 18th, the teams reconvened at the Lake Monticello pool. This time, the meet was pushed back to a 7 p.m. start due to pool availability. In an effort to maximize the number of events that could be fit in before a firm 10pm end time, the teams scrambled to combine heats, reorganize events, and eliminate the swimming of the individual freestyle events.
LMST 8 and under swimmers proved that all the changes could not stop them, as they dominated most of their events. The boys 100m freestyle relay team of Michael Koerper, Gabriel Hernandez, Kaleo Heath, and Brayden Arencibia took first (1:44.75), while the girls team of Valentina Matic, Henley Harrington, Gabriella Barresi, and Ava Powell were a close second in their event (1:39.85). The LMST boys would take the win in each individual event of the night. Michael led the 25m backstroke (25.19), while Brayden won both the 25m breaststroke (25.40) and 25m butterfly (25.25). Ava Powell led the girls in both the 25m breaststroke (29.76) and 25m butterfly (25.06), while Gabriella Barresi took second in the 25m backstroke (27.59). Six year old Annalina Barresi led her 25m backstroke in 32.58.
Valentina Matic (8), is recognized as this week’s girl swimmer of the week for her eagerness to improve at both practice and meets, and for the great example she sets for her teammates.
The 9 and under LMST boys secured wins in all of their events, beginning with the 200m freestyle relay win, by the team of: Perry Provencher, Bear Geyer, Brandon Kalinosky, and Norbu Barnett (3:07.72). Norbu would lead all of his individual events, including: the 100m Individual Medley (IM) in 1:26.09, the 50m breaststroke (47.72), and the 50m butterfly (38.38). Perry won the 50m backstroke (49.66).
Brick Sumner and Annelise Campbell led the 11-12 year olds to wins in their breaststroke events, with Brick finishing in 49.68 and Annelise in 47.50.
Madison Clark had another winning night in the 13-14 year old category, by securing first for both of her individual events, including the 100m IM (1:26.41) and 50m butterfly (36.89). Also leading amongst 13-14 year olds were Matthew Blevins, with a win for his 100m IM (1:25.53) and Kaidenn Myer, who took first in the 50m backstroke (38.56). Matthew and Kaiden joined Zachary Allen and Brick Sumner to lead the 200m freestyle relay (2:18.38).
At this final meet of the season, senior swimmer, Jaxon Brooks, was recognized for his 13 seasons with the LMST swim team and his exemplary efforts as a student and swimmer at Fork Union Military Academy, where he graduated in the top 5, with honors, and was captain of the swim team. Jaxon will be headed to Randolph Macon University in the fall, where he will study civil engineering and compete in men’s varsity swimming. Jaxon placed first in his 100m IM (1:10.56) and 50m backstroke (31.56), and came in a close second (31.52), to teammate Andrew Mikesh (31.15), in the 50m butterfly. He was also part of the 15-18 year old, winning 200m freestyle relay team along with Andrew, Nicholas Hockman, and Aaron Fairbanks (1:54.53).
Coming in third in this relay was the team of Harrison Williams, James Johnson, Sean Brown, and Bennett Allen, who at age 10, showed great bravery in “swimming up” with the older boys. Bennett is recognized as the boy swimmer of the week, for his dedication. It is not unusual for him to attend both morning and evening practice sessions, in a day, as he focuses on improving his strokes, turns, and starts.
Other wins for 15-18 year old swimmers went to James Johnson in the 50m breaststroke (37.72) and Sophie Pace, who led her 100m IM (1:23.28), 50m breaststroke (43.58), and 50m butterfly (35.72). Sophie finishes the season having won every single one of her individual events for the season, and amongst the top 40, league-wide in every event.
Despite their best efforts against the Charlottesville Swordfish, LMST lost 417 to 381.
