Virginia Run Riptide Swimmers Host Olympian Kate Ziegler

Hosting their first Division 6 NVSL “A” meet of the season, the Virginia Run Riptide posted multiple personal best times last weekend, but fell to the Ravensworth Farm Ravens by a score of 229-191.

Four swimmers won freestyle firsts: Caitlin Kelliher 8 and under girls, Didi Pace 13-14 girls, Nick McGrath 13-14 boys, and Chloe Hicks 15 and over girls. 

Second place points were earned by Katie Conway 9-10 girls, Sarah Boyle 1-12 girls, Skyla Davidson 13-14 girls, Joey Castro 15 and up boys and Sierra Higginbotham 15 and up girls. 

Backstroke was dominated by five first place performances by Caitlin Kelliher 8 and under girls, Anthony Arcomona 11-12 boys, Geoffrey Eisenhart 13-14 boys, Matt Glowacki 15 and up boys and Sierra Higinbotham 15 and up girls. Andrew Boyle boys 9-10 boys, Chloe Hicks 13-14 girls, Nick McGrath 13-14 boys, and Maggie Blondin placed second in their races.

The meet got very close after breaststroke wins by Jack Liskey 9-10 boys, Olivia Masterson 11-12 girls, Leo Wang 13-14 boys, Skyla Davidson 13-14 girls and Mia Newkirk 15 and up girls and seven strong second place showings by Sam Metcalf 8 and under boys, Isabelle Cogan 8 and under girls, Alana Turflinger 9-10 girls, Joel Cheifetz 11-12 boys, Sammi Castro 11-12 girls, Geoffrey Eisenhart 13-14 boys and Patrick Kearney 15 and up boys.

Winners in the butterfly included Jack Liskey 9-10 boys, Anthony Arcomona 11-12 boys, Sarah Boyle 11-12 girls, Matt Glowacki 15 and up boys and Mia Newkirk 15 and up girls, while Katie Conway 9- 10 girls and Didi Pace 13-14 girls captured second place.

The disappointment of the loss on Saturday was a distant memory by Sunday morning as more than 40 of the Riptide team enjoyed a morning training session with US Olympian and 1500 meter freestyle world record holder, Kate Ziegler, a native of Fairfax County and NVSL alumni. All of the young swimmers were able to try on Ziegler's gold medal and hear her personal story of hard work, dedication, and success. Ziegler then lead a master class of drills, swimming with her enthusiastic students, offering personalized suggestions to improve strokes and firing up another generation of Olympic hopefuls.

A busy week follows for the Riptide as they host a Monday evening meet with Greenbriar, an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, a Family Spirit Night Pot Lock on Friday and an “A” meet on Saturday morning against Forest Hollow.