Swimmers prepare for districts

The WMHS swim team has finally gotten what it's wished for 10 years, says head swim coach Martha Taylor.
"We finally have a team that has some size and depth to it," Taylor explains. "For years, we have competed with teams that were twice our size. We did not have enough swimmers to fill the blocks like other teams. This year due to a strong freshman class and some brave new faces on the scene we are becoming a more competitive team."
The team has won three meets so far and is preparing for districts this weekend at Fork Union Military Academy.
Earlier in the season, the boys team beat Fluvanna, and the girls beat Goochland. The girls also beat Sherando.
Taylor says she is proud of her swimmers.
She explains: "I have some new swimmers to the sport and they are giving it their all. Their enthusiasm keeps the more experienced swimmers motivated and they have renewed my energy with their team spirit."
Dylan O'Connell is one of the best team supporters, says Taylor.
"You can hear him across the pool when other teammates are swimming," Taylor says.
Taylor also praises John Allen's determination, and she says Jake Harned, Hunter Wallace, and Regina Beaston have all made big strides in developing their knowledge of the strokes and adapting well to the sport of swimming.
The more experienced swimmers continued to be the backbone of the team.
"Lauren Alley, Shayna Coachran, Aly Ladd, Anna Garcia, and Allie Trevillian are some of the summer swimmers that hold spots on our team," says Taylor. " Most of the swimmers have their favorite events and we try to let them swim what they like to do the best…Sophomore Katie Bridges will happily swim wherever we put her as well as Senior Joshua Bridges and Bryant Hill.
Following are results from the meet at Spotswood, held last month.
Boys 200 Medley Relay Senior, A Relay: Brian Snow, Paddy Holloway, Kevin Field and Joshua Bridges placed second with a time of 2:10.60. Boys 200 Medley Relay Senior, B Relay: Hunter Wallace, John Allen, Ben Hobeck and Dylan O'Connell placed sixth with a time of 2:51.60. Girls 200 Medley Relay Senior, A Relay:Alex Cave, Katherine Taylor, Virginia Landes and Lauren Alley placed third with a time of 2:33.85. Girls 200 Medley Relay Senior, B Relay: Anna Garcia, Allie Trevillian, Amelia Willenborg and Regina Beaston placed sixth with a time of 3:06.89.
Boys 200 Free Senior: Paddy Holloway, first place, 2:26.91; Bryant Hill, sixth place, 2:54.22. Girls 200 Free Senior, Aly Ladd, fourth place 3:01.85; Katie Bridges, sixth place, 3:15.88. Boys 200 IM Senior : Brian Snow, second place, 2:38.44; Davis Hovey, fourth place , 3:11.94. Girls 200 IM Senior: Katherine Taylor, second place, 3:14.62. Boys 50 Free Senior: Joshua Bridges, third place, 30.56; Dylan O'Connell, sixth place, 34.54. Girls 50 Free Senior: Bri Allen, fourth place, 33.97; Lauren Alley, fifth place, 36.31.
Girls 1 Meter 6 dives Senior: Heather Stephenson, first place, 164.80; Sarah Nave, second place, 144.55.
Boys 100 Fly Senior: Brian Snow, fourth place, 1:16.20; Ben Hobeck, fifth place, 2:01.87.Girls 100 Fly Senior: Virginia Landes, first place, 1:36.97. Boys
Boys 100 Free senior: Kevin Field, second place, 1:02.25; Jake Harned, sixth place, 1:37.03. Girls 100 Free Senior: Alex Cave, first place, 1:06.12; Lauren Alley, fourth place, 1:22.88.
Boys 400 Free Senior. Davis Hovey, fifth place 6:34.25. Girls 400 Free Senior: Sydne Call, fifth place, 7:00.23; Amelia Willenborg, sixth place, 7:22.15. Boys 200 Free Relay Senior, A relay: Bryant Hill, Davis Hovey, Ben Hobeck and Joshua Bridges placed fifth with a time of 2:16.75. B Relay: Hunter Wallace, Dylan O'Connell, Jake harned and John Allen placed sixth with a time of 2:49.15. Girls 200 Free Relay Senior, A Relay: Lauren Alley, Shaina Cochran, Bri Allen and Heather Stephenson placed fourth at 2:30.10. B Relay: Anna Garcia, Regina Beaston,, Sarah Nave and Sydne Call placed sixth with a time of 3:01.78. Boys 100 Back Senior: Kevin Field placed second with a time of 1:15.53; Bryant Hill placed sixth with a time of 1:27.19. Girls 100 Back Senior: Alex Cave; Katie Bridges, 1:34.85. Boys 100 Breast Senior: Paddy Holloway, second place, 1:22.53; Joshua Bridges, sixth place, 1:44.31. Girls 100 Breast Senior: Katherine Taylor, second place, 1:36.73; Virginia Landes, fourth place 1:40.12. Boys 400 Free Relay Senior: Kevin Field, Paddy Holloway, Bryant Hill, Brian Snow placed second with time of 4:40.09. B Relay: Davis Hovey, Hunter Wallace, Jake Harned and John Allen placed sixth with a time of 6:49.75. Girls 400 Free Relay Senior A Relay: Heather Stephenson, Aly Ladd, Virginia Landes and Alex Cave placed first with time of 5:10.14. B Relay: Allie Trevillian, Sydne Call, Amelia Willenborg and Shaina Cochran placed sixth with a time of 6:03.43.