The meet was held at the FUMA pool for the first time this year, because its usual venue, the UVa. Aquatic Center, was undergoing repairs. Meet organizers and participants were effusive about the way the FUMA community handled arrangements for this huge event. Hopefully, the event will not be a one time only occurrence in Fluvanna.
Coach DiFazio’s FAST team swam to a fourth place finish, with a total of 1708.75 points. FAST was extremely strong in the girl’s races in the lower age groups and in the boys’ middle age groups.
In the 9-10 girls’, Alexa Owen led the way for FAST. She took first place in the 100-meter individual medley, the 50-meter free style and the 50-meter butterfly. In addition, Owen teamed with Emma DiFazio, Abby Harlow and Bailey Dixon to win the 200-meter medley relay. Owen gained 16 points for her team for each of her wins, and the relay victory brought the FAST team 26 points.
In the 9-10 girls’ events, FAST also received first place performances from Emma DiFazio in the 50-meter backstroke and Abby Harlow in the 50-meter breaststroke. Bailey Dixon, Emma DiFazio, Abigail Brown and Brin Kuzemka recorded another first in the 200-meter freestyle relay. Kuzemka was almost as versatile for FAST as Alexa Owen. Kuzemka was second in the 50-meter backstroke and third in the 50-meter freestyle, in addition to her relay team contribution.
In the youngest scored age group, the 8 and under swimmers, FAST was also strong on the girl’s side. Zoe Dixon led the way in this age group. She took first in the 25-meter butterfly, second in the 50-meter freestyle and was a member of the first place 100 meter medley relay team. Joining Dixon on this team were Allyson Lounsbury, Ellie Mills and Alexa John Hudock. Hudock also garnered 15 points for FAST with a second place finish in the 25-meter butterfly.
On the boy’s side of the meet, FAST was strongest in the 13-14 age group. Nick Switzer led the way for the FAST team with first place swims in the 100-meter individual medley (IM), the 50-meter backstroke and the 50-meter breaststroke. Switzer was also a member of the 200-meter medley relay team that swam to an impressive win with a margin of almost six seconds. Other members of that relay team were Benjamin Paschina, David Dixon and Austin Billingsley. Dixon and Paschina were also outstanding individually, as Dixon won the 50-meter butterfly and Pashina took third in the IM.
Another top performer for FAST was Gabby Tosi, who took first in the 50-meter breaststroke in the 11-12 age group. Tosi was also a member of the second place 200-meter IM relay team. Her teammates were Ana Kuzemka, Kristin Cabrera and Hannah Brown. Another second place finish for the FAST team was recorded by Michael DiFazio in the 11-12 age group, in the 50-meter backstroke.
FAST ended its season with a 3-2 record in dual meets. It competes in the top tier of Jefferson Swim League team competition. The future looks good for the FAST team, as most of its top performers still have years of swimming left before they are off to college.
