Submitted by Amy Williams
The Fluvanna Aquatics Sports Team (FAST) finished out the 2018 regular season of summer swimming with a meet against the Greene Hill Gators (GHG) Wednesday (July 18). It was a close meet, with GHG narrowly topping FAST 488.5-426.5.
Capturing first-place finishes in all of their individual events were James Johnson (100-meter individual medley, 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke), Jackson Kinsella (50-meter freestyle, 50-meter breaststroke, 50-meter backstroke), Abby Caruso (25-meter breaststroke, 25-meter backstroke, 25-meter butterfly) and Emma DiFazio (50-meter freestyle, 50-meter breaststroke, 50-meter backstroke). Additional top finishes went to Tyler Davis (100-meter individual medley), Anthony Caruso (100-meter individual medley, 50-meter butterfly), Noah Klipp (50-meter freestyle, 50-meter breaststroke), Harrison Williams (50-meter breaststroke), Joey Hagan (50-meter breast stroke, 50-meter butterfly), Shelby Crawford (50-meter backstroke), and Aiden Johnson (50-meter backstroke).
Cheering on her teammates, while having a successful night herself, was Olivia Varga, 7. Coach Cosmo DiFazio said that Olivia is “always smiling and fun to coach.” Olivia is in her second year of swimming. She loves the backstroke and is working at dropping time in all of her events. In addition to swimming, Olivia enjoys gymnastics. She loves animals and hopes to work in the medical field one day.
Noting triple individual wins and a relay team first, DiFazio praised Jackson Kinsella, 13, for finishing the regular season strong. Jackson has been swimming year-round for seven years. His favorite stroke is the backstroke and he works toward dropping time in his races by regularly adjusting his time goals. Outside of swimming, Jackson is an avid reader of mysteries. In 2016 he was named the “teen volunteer of the year” for the entire state of Virginia, and in 2017 he was a nominee for “American teen healthcare volunteer of the year.”
DiFazio also made note of Edwin Navarro, 15, who finished third in the 100-meter individual medley, fourth in 50-meter butterfly and seventh in 50-meter freestyle. Edwin is in his fourth summer of swimming with FAST, having joined the team when he first moved to Fluvanna County. He also swims for the Fluvanna high school swim team. His favorite stroke is freestyle and his goal is to continue to improve so that he may one day swim in college. Edwin is an honor student who enjoys spending time with family and friends. DiFazio described him as “very hard working and coachable.”
Gunner Marks, 8, had a successful finish to the regular season with second-place finishes in the 25-meter breaststroke and 25-meter butterfly, and fourth place in the 25-meter freestyle. DiFazio noted Gunner’s success, stating, “He’s one of our most versatile 8 and under swimmers, as he can do all four strokes very well.” Gunner has been swimming with the team for four years and hopes to one day swim in high school. He’s an all-around athlete who also enjoys baseball, basketball, football and soccer.
FAST will finish its summer swimming season at the 2018 Jefferson Swim League Championship swim meet Friday and Saturday (July 27-28).
