The Cedar Run District match-up between Battlefield and Patriot High Schools was as good as advertised. Both teams were revved up and ready to race against friends, family, and club swimming teammates in a swiftly paced meet trying to beat the impending snow.
The Bobcat girls' team (5-0) flexed their muscles against the young Patriot girls (4-1), winning 180-106, while the Battlefield boys (4-1) came up short, despite winning the majority of the night's events, losing a close one to the Pioneers (5-0), 146-140.
(Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
“[Patriot's] depth was just too much,” said Battlefield coach Jay Thorpe, whose seniors were very impressive all night on both sides.
“We were able to pull in the second, third, and fourth place points we needed,” said Patriot coach Lisa Bussian. Her young group fought all night for each point in every race, indicating that this team is going places in the future. “These kids are still developing. They're not physically in the same place as [Battlefield's] boys, but they will be in a couple years.”
As expected, the boys' meet was back and forth all night, right from the opening 200 medley relay.
Ford Whitticar and CJ Higdon battle in the boys' 200 freestyle (Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
After losing an early lead in the boys' 200 medley relay, Ford Whitticar roared back in the race's final leg to capture first for the Bobcats.
Whitticar earned his third state cut, on his way to setting a new Battlefield record, in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.33 seconds. He had already qualified in the 50 and 200 freestyle events earlier in the season.
Fellow senior Jacob Croasdell was able to pull away in the 500 freestyle (4:53.32) and 100 backstroke (55.58) to take much needed first-place points for the Bobcats.
Patriot freshman Andrew Proper was the Pioneers' big winner on the night, earning the win in the 200 IM in 2:04.77 and 100 breaststroke in 1:04.74, a new team record.
The Patriot boys' set records in nearly every event. Gavin Graham in the 50 free (23.14), Thomas Scott in the 100 butterfly (54.82) and 100 backstroke (56.76), and CJ Higdon in the 500 free (4:59.56) took advantage of the fast competition to earn a spot on the new school's first record board.
The girls' meet could not have started off better for the Bobcats.
Trying to capitalize on every race, coach Thorpe split up his state qualifying relay team of Nina Tremols, Natalie Martin, Holly Criscuolo, and Sophia Revilak. The gamble paid off, as the Bobcats placed first and second. They would go on to win 11 of the 12 events.
Martin, who came up big in the medley relay, was untouchable in the 200 individual medley (2:09.48) and 100 breaststroke (1:07.59). She had previously achieved her state cuts in both events, but was able to re-break her own record in the 200 IM.
Natalie Martin flys ahead in the 200 IM. (Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
The Battlefield senior was one of the casualties of the cuts to the swimming and diving programs at the University of Maryland, where she had committed to swim for the 2012-2013 season before finding out, like several other area seniors, that she would not be receiving her letter of intent. She is now weighing her options and looking at staying in Virginia to continue her swimming career.
Her teammate Criscuolo will be heading to University of Houston next year to swim. She was a double winner in the 200 freestyle (2:01.80) and 100 butterfly (59.55).
With just over a month left in their high school careers, the two seniors still have goals left to accomplish.
“We want to win states in the [400 freestyle] relay,” they said in tandem.
With junior Tremols, who won the 100 backstroke (1:04.78), and standout freshman Revilak, they just might have a chance.
Revilak dazzles in the 50 freestyle (24.88), leaving the field gasping in her wake, before blowing past everyone in 100 freestyle in a time of 53.65. Both swims were under state qualifying time and new team records.
Patriot's lone girl winner was sophomore Sydney Thorpe, coach Thorpe's daughter, who won easily in the 500 freestyle (5:32.53).
The night ended in the same way it began, with a pair of Battlefield relay wins. Croasdell and Whitticar hooked up with Bill Pogue and Bob Chapman for the win on the boys side in 3:22.84, over Marcus Quint, Jeffrey Pfannenstein, Scott, and Proper for Patriot (3:28.89).
Criscuolo, Tremols, Revilak, and Martin made it look easy, winning in 3:45.69 over the Patriot team of Thorpe, Haley Soller, Jordan Yaeger, and Samantha Baird (4:06.69). Battlefield set a new team record.
With a loss apiece, both teams were all smiles leaving Freedom Aquatic Center, enjoying the company of friends and teammates, as they headed to IHOP for a post-meet meal. Together.
Click here for complete meet results.