Contributed by Amy Williams
The Lake Monticello Sharks fell to the Farmington Country Club Frogs, 480.5 to 521.5, in the meet it hosted, Wednesday, July 16. This was the final regular meet of the 2025 swim season, which will wrap-up at the Jefferson Swim League (JSL) Championship Meet, July 25-26, at the Brooks Family YMCA in Charlottesville.
The Sharks ended the season with many significant time improvements made by its swimmers. Aubrie Baugher and AJ Waksmunksi, of the six and under group, each improved their 25 meter (m) freestyles and 25m backstrokes, with Aubrie dropping 18.57 in freestyle and 34.2 in backstroke, while AJ dropped 14.9 and 13.15 respectively. Teammate Caroline Schoen improved her 25m freestyle by an impressive 22.94 seconds.
Amongst the eight and under swimmers, Sophia Herner (-10.96) and Allen Johnston (-10.27) improved on their 25m freestyle times, while Coen Payne (-15.06), Thomas Grout (-16.86), and Kade Messersmith-Bunting (-21.25) dropped time in their 25m backstrokes.
Barresi siblings, Miles and Vienna, showed improvement with Miles dropping 11.13 from his 50m breast, while Vienna beat her individual medley (IM) time by 13.27 seconds.
These finishes prove that wins do not always come from first place finishes, but rather, from self-improvement.
Other wins for the evening came from Kingston Arencibia, who ended his season strong, with first place finishes in both the six and under, 25m freestyle (24.57) and 25m backstroke (28.40). These times leave Kingston as fifth in the JSL, amongst swimmers six and under, for freestyle and second for backstroke. Fellow six and under swimmer, Arrow Harrington, finished first in the 25m freestyle (29.21) and 25m backstroke (31.21), placing her amongst the top ten, six and under swimmers in the JSL.
Amongst the eight and under swimmers, Michael Koerper took first in the 25m freestyle (18.50), making him fourth in the league, while Henley Belew led the 25m breaststroke (29.23) and 25m butterfly (26.01), both of which were top 20 finishes for the JSL.
Norbu Barnett continued his winning streak with first place finishes in the 9-10, 50m breaststroke (45.88), 50m butterfly (36.96), and 200m IM (1:23.58). These finishes have Norbu at the top of the league in both butterfly and IM, and second in breaststroke. For the 9-10 girls, Stella Strickland ended her season with more first place finishes, including the 50m freestyle (42.00) and 50m breaststroke (54.50), both in the top 40 finishes for the league.
Matthew Blevins captured wins for the 13-14 year olds with his 50m butterfly (37.08) and 50m freestyle (31.15). These finishes leave Matthew solidly within the top 35 of the JSL.
Senior swimmer, Marley Rochester, finished her last ever regular season meet with a win in her 50m butterfly (38.25).
The Sharks proved they are ready for the championship meet, where they will face off against 15 other teams from throughout the region.
