In a clash between two of the region's top-tier teams, Woodson and West Springfield both entered the district meet with 5-0 records. Woodson left 6-0, and with a clear path to the Patriot District championship, where the have a shot at another undefeated season and district title.
The Cavaliers took both sides of the meet, winning a close one on the boys' side, 161-154, and a decisive 183.5-131.5 on the girls'.
(photo by Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
Woodson’s depth proved to be too much to overcome for the Spartans, who, nonetheless, displayed quite a bit of star-power in the loss.
The boys’ meet went back and forth before Woodson was able to break away with a one, two victory in the 100 breaststroke, won by Nathan Pease.
The difference in the meet was Woodson's divers. Ben Schiesel, Eric Pavard, and Matt Hubbard were able to get the first through third sweep to give the swimmers a much-needed cushion.
The Spartan boys went down fighting, with a win in the 200 freestyle relay, along with big swims out of Matt Garstka, Jake Anderson, and Colin Stephenson, each with individual wins.
In the final event of the night, Woodson’s 400 freestyle relay team built a lead for their anchor, James Chung. But Jake Dickens delivered in the final leg for West Springfield.
Dickens stayed under just long enough off the final turn to pull even with Chung, before taking the race in the final yards in one of the most exciting races of the night.
In the girls' meet, Woodson was able to take an early lead against a talented Spartan ladies team.
(photo by Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
Freshmen girls Leah Rogers and Rachel Ward were double winners for Woodson. Rogers took the 200 IM and 100 butterfly, while Ward held off West Springfield’s best in the 200 and 500 freestyle events.
Robin Dryer was sensational for the Spartans, winning the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, before delivering the key leg as the anchor of the 400 freestyle relay.
Rogers crushed the Spartans lead-off leg, to build a huge lead for Woodson. But West Springfield’s ladies would not give up, inching up with each lap before pulling even going into the final exchange. Dryer showed a burst of speed to pull away from Woodson’s anchor, and never relinquished the lead.
West Springfield's relay won in state qualifying time.
Jessica Goering diving for West Springfield (Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)