Sequoia Farms Scores Victory at End of Regular Season

Submitted by Gary Chapman

As it was for most local community swim teams, with the dual meet season ending, this weekend brought both joy and sadness. On the positive side for the Sequoia Farms team, Saturday brought victory over long-time rival Chantilly National. It was a very close meet throughout the individual events with Chantilly leading most of the way. But there must have been something in the air, or in the depth of the young Sequoia Stingrays team, that allowed Sequoia to surge ahead in the relay events and capture a slim victory over the Bluefins. 

As with all Chantilly National meetings it was an enjoyable contest, where friends, neighbors and many schoolmates had the pleasure of getting together on a warm summer morning.

Saturday also marked the somewhat unhappy occasion of having to say goodbye to Sequoia Farms swimmer, Jenn Steinhilber. As Head Coach, Mark Loper said during the team’s official farewell to Jenn, “she has had a long and storied career with the Stingrays, beginning at age five and continuing to this day.” To those who have known Jennifer for all these years, she has been much more than just an acquaintance or teammate. She has been a constant source of good advice, friendship and optimism, to her peers and to adults, alike. Sequoia Farms is certainly a better place for having had Jenn with us.

As for the results of the meet, many of Jennifer's younger counterparts didn't have a bad day either. Here are the Sequoia girls first place finishers: Lucy Blazquez, Lauren Chin, Lillianne Fish (double winner), Kate Croxton (triple winner), Jessie Heise, Caroline Santilli, Ella Santilli. 

For the boys, Sequoia Farms individual first place finishes came from: Matthew Bentley, Brian Chapman (double winner), Avery Harris, Ryan Morris, Nicholas Saied and Russ Steinhilber.

In the relay events Sequoia Farms was the winner in:

Girls 8 - Under, Medley Relay: Nadia Boggs, Ella Santilli, Lillianne Fish, Avery Gegg.

Boys 9-10, Medley Relay: Andrew Watson, James Williams, Diego Cromwell,  Connor Croxton.

Girls 9-10, Medley Relay: Kristen Blee, Julia Barrett, Sydney Fish, Lucy Blazquez.

Boys 11-12, Medley Relay: Travis Blee, Samuel Williams, Avery Harris,  Daniel Morris.

Girls 11-12, Medley Relay: Sydney Loper, Caroline Santilli, Kate Croxton, Molly Hammer.

Boys 13-14, Medley Relay: Ryan Morris, Russ Steinhilber, Matthew Bentley, Nicholas Saied.

Girls 15-18, Medley Relay: Jessie Heise, Lauren Chin, Jennifer Steinhilber, Nicole Williams.