Virginia Run Riptide Team Opens Season on High Note

Submitted by Kristen and Bruce Eisenhart

Records fell and swimmers excelled as the Virginia Run Riptide opened their 2013 NVSL season. While the Mantua Marlins had the home pool advantage and bested the Tide 223 to 197 last Saturday, the Superhero theme for the day was amply represented by numerous super performances. The 13-14 girls medley relay of Chloe Hicks, Skyla Davidson, Didi Pace, and Alexa McAnally set a new team record of 1:01.44, and individual records were set by Chloe Hicks in the 13-14 Free and Skyla Davidson in the 13- 14 Breast.

Six swimmers took two firsts in their two individual events: Anthony Arcomona 11-12 Boys Back and Fly, Geoffrey Eisenhart 13-14 Boys Free and Back, Leo Wang 13-14 Boys Breast and Fly, Chloe Hicks 13-14 Girls Free and Back, Sierra Higinbotham 15-18 Girls Free and Back, and Mia Newkirk 15-18 Girls Breast and Fly. Single firsts were achieved by Sam Metcalf Boys 8& Under Breast, Caitlin Kelliher Girls 8&Under Back, Chelsea Nguyen Girls 9-10 Free, Sarah Boyle Girls 11-12 Free, and Skyla Davidson 13-14 Girls Breast.

Strong double second place finishes were achieved by Emmy Liskey 8 & Under Breast and Fly, Andrew Boyle 9-10 Back and Fly, and Nick McGrath 13-14 Free and Back. Second place points were also earned by 8&Unders: Charles Beamon and Caitlin Kelliher in Free; 9-10’s Jason Cheifetz in Free, Alana Turflinger in Back, Jack Liskey in Breast, Maddie Whitton in Fly; 11-12’s Joel Cheifetz in Breast, Olivia Masterson in Breast, and Sarah Boyle in Fly; 13-14’s Alexa McAnally in Back, Aaron Vu in Breast, Luke Emanuel in Fly and Didi Pace in Fly; and 15-18’s Erica Turflinger in Free and Joey Castro in Back.

The Riptide Board chaired by Dana Mathews has assembled an outstanding team of coaches for the 2013 season. Head Coach Scott Darwin is beginning his second season with the Riptide. As the Swim & Dive Coach during the school year at Lake Braddock, he brings an ideal balance of enthusiasm, leadership, and experience. Sierra Higinbotham, Marissa McGill, and Amanda Phung, all Riptide swimming alumni, support the team as assistant head coaches. The coaching staff is rounded out by Brian Deely, Serena Emanuel, and Matthew Glowacki, with junior coaches Nicholas Benedetto, Joey Casto, John Pace, and Jessica Sheftel.

With more than 235 swimmers the Virginia Run Riptide Team looks forward to a busy summer season of social activities and exciting competitions.