Swim & Dive: Cougars Make History With Latest Sweep

The Cougars continued their history-making season with a sweep of the Northern Region Swim and Dive Championships on Saturday, giving the school its first simultaneous region win for the boys and girls programs.

The victory is the first region title for the girls program, while the boys have held the title three times in the past four years. Oakton High is the first school to hold the title for both its programs since Thomas Jefferson High School did it 10 years ago.

And those aren't the only records Oakton swimmers broke in Saturday's meet. Sophomore Janet Hu broke two region records she set two days before at the preliminary meet: 100-yard freestyle and backstroke. She broke her 100-yard backstroke record by 1.67 seconds.

The girls team earned first with 245 points. The second-place team, West Potomac, scored 190. The boys surpassed second-place Woodson (250 points) with a score of 281.5.

said his team has exceeded his expectations throughout the season, and their performance in the Northern Region Championship was no different.

"When we saw the meet sheet, we predicted the girls would win by 13 points," Ramsdell said of the team that instead won by 55. "What the [kids did in preliminaries] to get back to finals or move up from the B heat to the A heat, was just incredible work."

With six relay teams and 11 different swimmers in 13 individual events heading to the state championship, Ramsdell is confident his teams will perform well.

"We do have a lot of swimmers moving on, and the Northern Region is an unbelievable area for swimming, so to win here says a lot about these kids and how hard they've worked," Ramsdell said. "But we know in Richmond and Virginia Beach there are some incredible teams, so we'll definitely have our work cut out for us in two weeks."

No Oakton divers from the girls team qualified for the Northern Region competition.

The top six finishers of each race move on to the Virginia High School League AAA Championship meet unless a swimmer who placed lower meets the required qualifying time to advance.

Team Rankings

Girls

1. Oakton, 245
2. West Potomac, 190
3. Langley, 181
4. James Madison, 162
5. Lake Braddock, 155.5

Boys

1. Oakton, 281.5
2. Woodson, 250
3. James Madison, 217
4. Thomas Jefferson, 200
5. West Springfield, 176.5

Here are the top six finishers of each race:

200-yard Medley Relay Boys Girls Team Time Team Time 1. Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Seliskar, Reese Frerichs, Andrew Seliskar, Miles Oakley) 1:35.10 1. West Potomac (Reanna Dona, Maxine Clifford, Sara Bertram, Hellen Moffitt) *1:46.19 2. West Springfield (Sean Mayer, William Bryan, Colin Stephenson, Jacob Anderson) 1:35.81 2. Woodson (Morgan Bui, Rachel Rogers, Leah Rogers, Rachel Ward) 1:46.75 3. James Madison (Grayson Smith, Howe Wang, Evan Owens, Alex Ripley) 1:36.84 3. Oakton (Janet Hu, Melissa Shebat, Gillian Crews, Ashley Doran) 1:47.15 4. Oakton (Conor Murphy, Ryan Santoro, Carter Sharer, Denny Nguyen) 1:36.88 4. Chantilly (Logan Coulson-Moore, Emma Richer, Lauren Hensley, Sydney Pereira) 1:50.31 5. South County (Evin Rude, Sean O'Reilly, Michael Herrmann, Alex Martin) 1:37.89 5. Lake Braddock (Stephanie Chewning, Sophie Chase, Jordan Parry, Taylor Parry) 1:50.53 6. Chantilly (Chris Grimmett-Norris, David Stewart, Blair Mason, Brian Rothschild) 1:38.22 6. West Springfield (Emily D'Amato, Hannah Hagy, Lauren Yi, Robyn Dryer) 1:50.64

*Denotes a new Northern Region record

Boys: Westfield (Matthew Glowacki, Brandon Fiala, Richard Xue and Danial Okhovvat Gilani) and Woodson (Alex Saffran, Bo Ilgenfritz, Eric Chestnut and Sonny Nguyen) relay teams met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: The Fairfax (Christie DeFlumeri, Matty Ferguson, Natalie Dillinger and Marla Surette) relay team met the qualifying time for states.

200-yard Freestyle Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Cyrus Hashemi, Marshall 1:40.09 1. Stephanie Romano, Yorktown 1:53.70 2. Chris Grimmett-Norris, Chantilly 1:40.85 2. Cassidy Humphrey, Madison 1:53.73 3. Ryan Natal, Langley 1:41.60 3. Allie Zeidan, Langley 1:54.07 4. Evin Rude, South County 1:43.67 4. Logan Coulson-Moore, Chantilly 1:54.62 5. Christian Rowcliffe, Stuart 1:44.73 5. Andi Mack, Stone Bridge 1:55.96 6. Collin Chartier, Woodson 1:44.89 6. Stephanie Hallock, Oakton 1:57.31

Anthony Barbee (South Lakes) met the qualifying time for states.

200-yard Individual Medley Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Andrew Seliskar, Thomas Jefferson *1:50.14 1. Laura Schwartz, Falls Church 2:03.93 2. Brandon Fiala, Westfield 1:51.52 2. Rachel Canty, Robinson 2:06.08 3. Richard Xue, Westfield 1:55.43 3. Catherine Munch, Robinson 2:08.39 4. Brian Rothschild, Chantilly 1:56.52 4. MacKenzie Walsh, South County 2:08.78 5. Howe Wang, Madison 1:57.56 5. Emily Sennett, South Lakes 2:10.17 6. Andrew Nyce, Marshall 1:57.83 6. Abigail Cox, T.C. Williams
2:10.27

*Denotes a new Northern Region record

Boys: Denny Nguyen (Oakton) and Logan Hirka (Marshall) met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: Sara Bertram (West Potomac) and Sierra Scoggin (South Lakes) met the qualifying time for states.

50-yard Freestyle Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Evan Owens, Madison 21.70 1. Abi Speers, Langley *23.32 2. Jacob Anderson, West Springfield 21.77 2. Carli Molano, Westfield 23.80 3. Matthew Garstka, West Springfield 21.83 3. Laura Branton, Oakton 24.11 3. Carter Sharer, Oakton 21.83 4. Reanna Dona, West Potomac 24.26 5. Christian Rowcliffe, Stuart 21.90 5. Matty Ferguson, Fairfax 24.32 6. Jesse Kane, Woodson 22.27 6. Maxine Clifford, West Potomac 24.35

*Denotes a new Northern Region record

Boys: Alex Ripley (Madison) met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: Sasha Avilov (South Lakes) met the qualifying time for states.

100-yard Butterfly Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Andrew Seliskar, Thomas Jefferson 49.71 1. Laura Branton, Oakton 56.49 2. Ryan Natal, Langley 50.47 2. Leah Rogers, Woodson 57.20 3. Colin Stephenson, West Springfield 51.44 3. Sara Bertram, West Potomac 57.50 4. Philip Hu, Oakton 51.47 4. Emily Sennett, South Lakes 58.08 5. Carter Sharer, Oakton 51.82 5. Lauren Yi, West Springfield 58.10 6. Sean Mayer, West Springfield 51.84 6. Gillian Crews, Oakton 58.16

Boys: Michael Herrmann (South County) and Ben Southern (McLean) met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: Jordan Parry (Lake Braddock), Cassidy Humphrey (Madison) and Natalie Dillinger (Fairfax) met the qualifying time for states.

100-yard Freestyle Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Cyrus Hashemi, Marshall 45.85 1. Janet Hu, Oakton *49.52 2. Stephen Seliskar, Thomas Jefferson 46.43 2. Abi Speers, Langley 51.55 3. Matt Jones, Robinson 47.42 3. Hellen Moffitt, West Potomac 52.08 4. Brian Rothschild, Chantilly 47.96 4. Carli Molano, Westfield 52.44 5. Anthony Barbee, South Lakes 48.14 5. Laura Kellan, Madison 53.14 6. Conor Murphy, Oakton 48.32 6. Andi Mack, Stone Bridge 53.15

*Denotes a new Northern Region record

Boys: Grayson Smith (Madison) and Matthew Garstka (West Springfield) met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: MacKenzie Walsh (South County) and Allie Zeidan (Langley) met the qualifying time for states.

500-yard Freestyle Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Chris Grimmett-Norris, Chantilly 4:35.63 1. Laura Schwartz, Falls Church 4:57.80 2. Ben Southern, McLean 4:35.88 2. Stephanie Romano, Yorktown 5:02. 47 3. Evin Rude, South County 4:38.33 3. Alyssa McGarry, Lake Braddock 5:03.23 4. Conor Cudahy, Herndon 4:40.10 4. Laura Kellan, Madison 5:09.00 5. Brian Phillips, Oakton 4:42.73 5. Kathleen Dodson, Robinson 5:11.58 6. Howe Wang, Madison 4:47.00 6. Amy Owens, Langley 5:12.31

Boys: Will Schulte (Chantilly) met the qualifying time for states.

200-yard Freestyle Relay Boys Girls Team Time Team Time 1. Thomas Jefferson (Andrew Seliskar, Miles Oakley, Nathan Hughes, Stephen Seliskar) 1:26.28 1. Oakton (Laura Branton, Ashley Doran, Stephanie Hallock, Gillian Crews) 1:38.24 2. West Springfield (Jacob Anderson, Sean Mayer, Colin Stephenson, Matthew Garstka) 1:26.91 2. Langley (Allie Zeidan, Sierra Jeter, Anne Gent, Abi Speers) 1:38.78 3. Woodson (Jesse Kane, Reid Penzler, Dean Furst, Sonny Nguyen) 1:27.47 3. Chantilly (Logan Coulson-Moore, emma Richer, Lauren Hensley, Sydney Pereira) 1:39.42 4. Madison (Evan Owens, Andrew Russiello, Peter Kinton, Alex Ripley) 1:27.95 4. Lake Braddock (Karina Kolb, Jordan Parry, Alex Hunter, Alyssa McGarry 1:39.44 5. Oakton (Ryan Santoro, Gregory Derosa, Denny Nguyen, Philip Hu) 1:29.45 5. Westfield (Sierra Higinbotham, Serena Emanuel, Erin Schulte, Carli Molano) 1:39.58 6. Annandale (Adam Wattenbarger, Daniel Jessen, William Labarca, Matt Del Signore) 1:29.75 6. Madison (Laura Kellan, Ellie Westfall, Sidney Owens, Cassidy Humphrey) 1:41.15

Boys: Stuart, Lake Braddock, Robinson and Westfield relay teams also met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: Woodson, Thomas Jefferson, South Lakes, Yorktown, Centreville, McLean, South County, Falls Church, Fairfax and West Springfield relay teams also met the qualifying time for states.

100-yard Backstroke Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Stephen Seliskar, Thomas Jefferson 50.05 1. Janet Hu, Oakton *53.76 2. Philip Hu, Oakton 50.78 2. Hellen Moffitt, West Potomac 55.96 3. Michael Herrmann, South County 51.16 3. Reanna Dona, West Potomac 57.21 4. John Kim, Fairfax 52.87 4. Logan Coulson-Moore, Chantilly 58.11 5. Grayson Smith, Madison 52.95 5. Morgan Bui, Woodson 58.32 6. Sean Mayer, West Springfield 53.33 6. Robyn Dryer, West Springfield 58.85

*Denotes a new Northern Region record

Boys: Matt Jones (Robinson) and Luke Thorsell (Thomas Jefferson) also met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: Katie Bennett (Thomas Jefferson), Maxine Clifford (West Potomac), Sierra Higinbotham (Westfield), Natalie Obando (South Lakes), Sierra Scoggin (South Lakes), Nowell Boardman (McLean, Abigail Young (Yorktown), Reagan Warrington (Westfield)

100-yard Backstroke Boys Girls Name Time Name Time 1. Bo Ilgenfritz, Woodson 57.20 1. Jenna Van Camp, Herndon 1:02.49 2. Brandon Fiala, Westfield 57.54 2. Rachel Canty, Robinson 1:04.98 3. Joel DeSatnick, Hayfield 58.60 3. Sophie Chase, Lake Braddock 1:05.24 4. Evan Owens, Madison 58.85 4. Matty Ferguson, Fairfax 1:05.48 5. Nathan Pease, Woodson 59.17 5. Brooke Malone, South County 1:05.61 6. Reid Penzler, Woodson 59.69 6. Catherine Munch, Robinson 1:05.82

Boys: Max Fish (Yorktown), Johann Shim (Robinson), Jackson Hannam (Lake Braddock), Ryan Santoro (Oakton), Cory Hansen (Woodson) also met the qualifying time for states

Girls: MJ Ulrich (McLean), Christin Swanepoel (West Springfield), Gretchen Roesel (Langley), Rachel Rogers (Woodson), Emma Richer (Chantilly), Sarah Liu (Thomas Jefferson), Logan Ross (Centreville), Melissa Shebat (Oakton), Sami Fletcher (Madison)

400-yard Freestyle Relay Boys Girls Team Time Team Time 1. Oakton (Carter Sharer, Conor Murphy, Brian Phillips, Philip Hu) 3:11.00 1. Oakton (Laura Branton, Stephanie Hallock, Kendall Lawhorn, Janet Hu) 3:30.96 2. Chantilly (Brian Rothschild, Will Schulte, Evan Baker, Chris Grimmett-Norris) 3:13.44 2. West Potomac (Sara Bertram, Reanna Dona, Maxine Clifford, Hellen Moffitt) 3:32.21 3. South County (Alex Martin, Shane Hulse, Evin Rude, Michael Herrmann) 3:13.81 3. Langley (Katie Storch, Amy Owens, Allie Zeidan, Abi Speers) 3:36.65 4. Woodson (Bo Ilgenfritz, Collin Chartier, James Chung, Jesse Kane) 3:13.86 4. Madison (Laura Kellan, Sidney Owens, Sami Fletcher, Laura Sullivan) 3:38.30 5. Madison (Jackson Simon, Peter Kinton, Grayson Smith, Howe Wang) 3:16.13 5. Westfield (Erin Schulte, Serena Emanuel, Sierra Higinbotham, Carli Molano) 3:39.92 6. Stuart (Eli Bass, Marco Perdomo, Eric Mioduski, Christian Rowcliffe) 3:18.72 6. Robinson (Catherine Munch, Kathleen Dodson, Rachel Canty, Mackenzie Schuler) 3:40.16

Boys: Thomas Jefferson, Langley, Robinson and West Springfield also met the qualifying time for states.

Girls: South Lakes, Yorktown, South County, Lake Braddock, Falls Church, West Springfield and McLean also met the qualifying time for states.