Final score
Girls:  St. Catherine's  110      MLWGS   85
Boys:  St. Christopher's 112    MLWGS  71
 
The Boys meet includes 13 points for St. Chris in Diving, that we did not compete in. Caitlin High won the Girls meet, but St. Catherine's still outscored us in Girls Diving 9-6.
So overall, a good showing. We were missing some depth and I feel that was the difference. Field trips, dance, year around swim meets and illness all came back to haunt us. Speaking to their coach she mentioned she had about as strong a team as she could field, less one or two swimmers. We were short 4/5 year around swimmers along with some more bodies for the girls team, which surely would have helped and may have reversed the final outcome.
 
That being said, we can't worry about what woulda, coulda, shoulda. As I mentioned before these last two meets enabled us to get our feet wet and allowed me to see a lot of people swim well.
 
I want to especially point out the seniors this week. Lindsey Strachan actually beat some high school swimmers this week in the 200 free (2:03.63) and 100 back (1:02.84). Both those times would be good enough to qualify for the State meet, if Lindsey can duplicate that effort at Regions. Scott Terry went 58.02 in the 100 Butterfly and then 5:14.81 in the 500. Scott wasn't the only swimmer to swim the 100 fly and 500 free. Gina Lenzi swam these two events in 1:02.86 and 5:45.57. Afterwards, Gina fell asleep and had to have cold water thrown on her to wake her up for the 4 x 100 free relay, which the school record holding team of Strachan, Dabney, Milliron and Lenzi won in 3:47.93. The boys 4 x100 relay probably was in the most exciting race of the night. Our team of Alex Hanson, Scott Terry, Geoff Ramsdell and Horia Todor went 3:30.00 and were just touched out by St. Chris. But back to the seniors. Lauren Milliron placed second in the 200 IM (2:24.89) and third in the 100 free (57.80). Justin Longest went 2:41.34 in the 200 IM and 1:13.08 in the 100 back. Justin was also part of 2nd place 200 free relay splitting 25.92. Horia Todor swam in our 200 medley relay going 28.92 in the 50 back, our 200 free relay going 24.52, swimming the 100 back in 1:00.60 for 1st place and then as mentioned above being part of our 4 x 100 free relay. Horia split 52.75 as our first swimmer in that event.
 
Congratulations to everyone for some very fine swimming. Others that performed well. Johnnie Hermes, Paige Endsley, Alex Hanson, Geoff Ramsdell. And then Ben Houghton. Ben swam the 500 free last week. He told me afterwards that he had enough of that. He swam the 50 free (25.77) and the 100 free (57.19) this week. Good swims, Ben.
 
Finally, Carrie Boyle. Carrie is a bit shy and demonstrates what she wants to compete in, rather than telling me. So when she was in the 100 back and came off on her stomach out of a turn, I got the message that she wants to swim the 200 IM. Carrie, just let me know when. I will make sure there is a lane for you.
 
Now, with two meets under our belts we get a little break and start our Region schedule in January. First up, Atlee. From the availability forms I received from everyone, we should be at our strongest against them. Ms. Hawkins, helpful parents and I are investigating alternatives for practice over the next couple of weeks, in case the VCU pool does not come back fast. I will update everyone as I know something.
 
Good meet.
-Coach.