Few teams have enjoyed the type of success that Yorktown girls swimming and diving has in the National District over the district's nearly two decade history. This year was no different, as the Patriot ladies (7-0) won their 19th consecutive National District championship by nearly 300 points, over second-place Washington-Lee.
Yorktown poses with district championship plaque (photo by Wayne Stocks)
Yorktown's dominance was complete, returning every single girl swimmer from Friday night's prelims to the ‘A' final, and winning all three relays.
In a much closer decision, Washington-Lee's boys' team was able to beat Yorktown to repeat as district champions, winning 404 to 399. Falls Church girls' and boys' finished third. Complete results here.
As Yorktown's girls asserted themselves on the district, no individual swimmer was more impressive than Falls Church's Laura Schwartz, who continued to show why she's one of the best all-around swimmers in the Northern Region.
The Falls Church junior cruised in the 100 butterfly, winning in 57.60 over a trio of Yorktown girls, who placed second through fourth. The 100 breaststroke would be more of the same for Schwartz, who was untouchable, winning easily with a time of 1:07.24.
Stephanie Romano impressed all night with two individual wins in the 200 and 500 free. (photo by Wayne Stocks)
Senior Stephanie Romano and junior Abigail Young were the big point scorers for the Yorktown ladies. Romano cruised in the 200 freestyle (1:58.77) and 500 freestyle (5:15.58), winning both by wide margins.
Young had a slightly tougher race in the 200 IM. Laura Schwartz's sister, freshman Julia Schwartz, gave chase in the first 100 yards, but could not hang with the Yorktown swimmer in the breaststroke, who won 2:15.10 to 2:17.71. Young would beat J. Schwartz convincingly in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:00.13 to 1:03.71.
While Yorktown's stars shined brightly, it was the overwhelming consistency of the Patriot girls that was so impressive, particularly their fantastic class of freshmen girls.
Lauren Allard won the 100 freestyle (56.45) and placed third in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.16).
Kirby Nassetta placed second in the 200 freestyle (2:02.79) and 100 butterfly (59.71).
Sydney Stocks took third in the 50 freestyle in 25.81, behind the events winner, junior teammate Ellie Belilos (25.37). Falls Church's Haley McLean was second (25.80).
Amanda Didawick was third in the 100 butterfly behind Nassetta. Sophomore Grace Greenwood was second behind Romano in the 500 freestsyle (5:32.10).
Izzy Pasternak was third in the 100 backstroke in 1:04.10, just beating Didawick (1:04.70).
On Thursday night, Hayfield's Anise Muir won the girls' diving event with a score of 323.10. But was followed by Yorktown's Mason Nassetta (312.35) and Elena Bavolack (311.25).
That sort of depth is what will make Yorktown so competitive next week against the likes of Langley, Woodson, and Oakton at the AAA Northern Region championship meet at Oakmarr RECenter.
For the boys, Washington-Lee began their championship run with a win from Carl Buergler. He was in a class of his own, posting a score of 514.25, beating Yorktown's Hunter Simmons (357.55) and Falls Church's Tyler Smith (309.95).
It was a total team effort for the Generals, who won despite not winning a single event all night. What they lacked in star power, they made up in depth. The Generals took second in all three boys' relays and returned at least three swimmers for Saturday night's final in all but one event.
They also got some help from Stuart and Hayfield's superstars, who kept Yorktown from taking top points in several events.
Stuart's Christian Rowcliffe won both the 50 freestyle (22.57) and 100 freestyle (48.40). Ben Lambert (Hayfield) took second in 22.87. He would later win the 100 butterfly (53.36). Yorktown's Max Fish would place second in butterfly with a 54.11.
Stuart senior Eli Bass won a close race in the 200 IM (2:02.22) against Yorktown's Will Tarkenton (2:02.79) and Hayfield's Joel DeSatnick (2:02.84).
After falling behind Bass and Tarkenton, DeSatnick roared back in the breaststroke to take the lead. It was not enough though, as Bass surged in the freestyle to snatch the win from the Hayfield freshman.
DeSatnick would get his chance to shine, however, as he won the 100 breaststroke in 1:00.95 over Fish (1:01.50).
Bass would get a second win in the 500 freestyle where he swam to an easy win in a time of 4:54.68. Washington-Lee's Michael Emanuel gave chase in the first 200, but faded to second (5:09.83), as Bass sailed into the finish, 15 seconds ahead.
It was a dogfight in the boys' 100 backstroke between Tarkenton, Jay Delancey (W-L), and James Sturges (Falls Church). The Yorktown senior, Tarkenton, got the better of the two sophomores, winning in 56.17. Delancey was second in 56.74; Sturges third in 57.24.
The AAA Northern Region championship meet gets started on Tuesday, Jan. 31, with boys' diving. Girls' diving will follow the next night, Feb. 1. Swimming relims this year will be split up, with the boys on Thursday and the girls on Friday. Finals will take place Saturday night with two heats in each event.
Read more about the 2012 High School Championship meet season here.