Shorthanded RC Swimmers Fall

Parry McCluer High School senior Olive King won both of her races in her final home swim meet, while the shorthanded Rockbridge County High School boys and girls swimming teams lost to Valley District rival Spotswood on Friday night at the Rockbridge Aquatics Center in Lexington.

King, PM’s lone swimmer, won the 100-yard freestyle in 56.3 seconds, and claimed the 100-yard backstroke in 1:04.43, setting personal records (PRs) in both races.

The RC boys and girls were both missing several swimmers who were out sick. The Spotswood boys defeated the Wildcats 149.5 to 91.5, and the Spotswood girls defeated RC 129 to 29. King was credited with 14 points for PM.

RC assistant coach Ellie Tomlinson, who was guiding the Wildcats without head coach Erica Bisaillon, who was also out sick, said the swimmers that did compete for the Wildcats “did really well.”

Tomlinson noted that the Wildcats had several PRs, “which was really great, and I’m really proud of them.”

The RC boys won three individual races and one relay.

RC junior Keagan Black won the 100-yard freestyle in 53.77, nearly 11 seconds ahead of the runner-up, Spotswood’s Samuel Mars, who finished in 1:04.34. Black also claimed the 100-yard backstroke in 59.71 seconds. Freshman teammate Ben Gresham won the 50-yard freestyle in a PR time of 26.5 seconds, more than a second ahead of the runnerup, Spotswood’s Caleb Corder (27.59). Gresham also placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:18.17. In the 200-yard freestyle relay. Black and Gresham teamed up with senior Roman Stanley and freshman Ru Bucy to win in 1:46.98.

The RC boys placed second to Spotswood in their other two relays. They swam the 200--yard medley relay in 2:01.17, with team members Black, Gresham, Bucy and freshman Emil Hemran. Hierman and Stanley teamed up with freshman Luke Eichholz and sophomore Dmitriy Billias to finish the 400-yard freestyle relay in 4:49.3.

Bucy placed second in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:48.13 and fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:32.7, while Stanley tied for third place in the 50yard freestyle in 29.38 seconds and placed third in the 100yard breaststroke in 1:20.71. Eichholz placed fifth in both of his individual races, the 50yard freestyle (30.97) and the 500-yard freestyle (8:35.17). Hierman placed third in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:39.71 and fifth in the 500-yard freestyle in 8:35.17, while Billias finished fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:46.52 and sixth in the 100-yard breaststroke inl:36.92.

For the RC girls, senior Rio Bucy, Ru’s older sister, won the 50-yard freestyle in 28.82 seconds, nearly two seconds ahead of the runner-up, Spotswood’s Samantha Haun (30.48). Rio placed second in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:16.06.

RC junior Lexi Walters placed second in the 500-yard freestyle in 7:09.28 and fourth in the 50-yard freestyle in 31.85, while junior teammate Alice Gresham placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:29.23 and third in the 50-yard freestyle in 31.68 seconds.

With just three girls competing, the RC girls did not race in any relays.

The Wildcats will compete in the Valley District meet on Saturday at noon at Godwin Hall at James Madison University in Harrisonburg. In addition to those qualified by time or distance, the top six individuals and the top three relay teams will advance to the Region 3C meet, scheduled for next Tuesday at the Brooks Family YMCA in Charlottesville. At last year’s district meet, the RC boys placed second, while the RC girls finished fifth.

King will prepare for the Region 1C and 2C meet, which will take place next Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. King, who has qualified for this month’s Class 1 and 2 state meet in several events, won two regional titles last year.

Tomlinson said her swimmers are “practicing hard” and hopes several more will qualify for the Class 3 state meet later this month.