Press Releases

Potomac Raiders Swim Club Results

(2005-2006 swim year)

BCSC Unity Meet (July 29-30, 2006)

Fourteen Raiders traveled to UMBC to compete at the BCSC Unity Meet on July 29-30. The Raiders boys dominated the senior division, winning both relay events and every individual event in which they competed! Mike Biffel was the top individual point scorer including three firsts, and Josh Huger was a close second even though he swam only six events. Josh won four events, including the 50 butterfly where he lowered Bobby Rose’s 15-18 and OPEN team records by .26 second. The quartet of Josh Huger, Jake Quartuccio, Mike Biffel, and Andy Snider established the Raiders team record in the 200-meter free relay with a time of 1:52.84. Likewise, the 200-meter medley relay (Mike Biffel, Nathan Stephens, Josh Huger, Andy Snider) established a Raiders team record, swimming a first place time of 2:04.75.

The senior girls also swam well, led by Jackie Hynson with wins in the 50 and 100 butterfly and top six finishes in her other five events. She broke the team records from 2002 in the 200 IM, shaving .24 second from Aly Clarke’s best time. Sarah Grigg posted all personal best times, including her first AA time. Also, her time in the 50 back established the Raider team record for 15-18 Girls.

Brett Farrell swam five personal best times, all of them team records for 9-10 boys. He eclipsed Daniel Grigg’s record in the 50 free, lowered his own records in the 50 back and 50 breast, and established team records in the 100 back and 50 butterfly. Meanwhile, Daniel Grigg established the record in the 100 breast for 9-10 boys. Also deserving mention are Elyse Quartuccio (all personal best times in her first meet after aging up to 11-12), Elena Swick (first BB time in 13-14 age group), and Tyler Grigg (shaving 26 seconds from his previous best time in the 200 free).

Kourtney Miller, Leann Miller, and Andy Snider all had impressive debuts with the Raiders. In his first-ever long course meet, Andy swam four B times. Kourtney swam personal best times in all six of her events, and sister Leann earned four ribbons. Top eight finishes and new B or better times follow:

Mike Biffel (16): Firsts in 200 free (2:08.96, AA), 100 back (1:08.19, AA), and 200 IM (2:26.64, AA); thirds in 50 free (27.60, AA), 100 free (1:00.71, AA) and 100 breast (1:23.03, BB); fourth in 100 fly (1:08.54, A)

Brett Farrell (10): New B times in 50 free (42.69), 50 back (53.64), 100 back (1:55.71), 50 breast (55.88), and 50 fly (47.92)

Sarah Grigg (16): Fourth in 100 fly (1:14.55, A); fifth in 50 back (37.13); eighth in 100 back (1:18.62, BB); new AA time in 50 free (30.86); new A times in 100 free (1:07.13) and 200 IM (2:43.28)

Tyler Grigg (13): New B times in 50 free (34.40), 100 free (1:14.69), 200 free (2:39.06), and 200 IM (3:01.63)

Josh Huger (17): Firsts in 50 free (26.43, AA), 100 free (58.80, AA), 50 fly (28.02), and 100 fly (1:04.84, A); Thirds in 200 free (2:12.91, AA) and 100 back (1:11.72, BB)

Jackie Hynson (16): Firsts in 50 fly (31.21) and 100 fly (1:07.78, AAA); third in 100 breast (1:27.56, A); fourths in 200 free (2:19.68, AA) and 200 IM (2:38.68, AA); fifth in 100 free (1:05.81, AA); sixth in 50 free (29.67, AA)

Kourtney Miller (9): Sixth in 50 back (48.03, BB); seventh in 50 breast (56.95, B); new BB time in 100 back (1:46.26); new B times in 50 free (41.68), 100 free (1:35.76), and 50 fly (52.26)

Leann Miller (12): Fifth in 200 free (2:52.10, BB); seventh in 100 back (1:28.84, BB); eighths in 100 free (1:17.81, BB) and 50 back (42.20, BB); new BB times in 50 free (34.08), 50 fly (39.52), and 200 IM (3:08.73); new B time in 50 breast (48.46)

Jake Quartuccio (16): Fourths in 100 free (1:02.14, A) and 200 free (2:14.80, A); Fifth in 100 fly (1:10.49, BB)

Andy Snider (15): New B times in 50 free (32.11), 100 free (1:10.42), 200 free (2:34.29), and 200 IM (3:02.37)

Nathan Stephens (17): First in 100 breast (1:11.88, AAA); second in 50 fly (30.24); fourth in 50 free (27.75, A)

Elena Swick (13): New BB time in 100 free (1:16.82); new B time in 200 free (2:47.65)

Mid-Atlantic Senior Championships (July 12-15, 2006)

Eight Raiders qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Senior Championships held on July 12-15 at Bucknell University’s 50-meter pool in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Conducted in a prelims/finals format, the meet featured 17 Olympic Trial, 118 national, and 250+ sectional qualifying times. Qualifying for Finals was no easy feat, but four Raiders managed to do it. Mike Biffel (200 back), Jackie Hynson (100 fly), Kathleen Lyon (100 fly), and Nathan Stephens (100 and 200 breast) all took advantage of the opportunity by improving upon their times swum earlier in the day during preliminaries.

The breakout swimmer of the meet for the Raiders was Mike Biffel. He knocked a total of nearly 38 seconds from his previous best times in his events, jumping from BB to AA times in all three. His time in the 200 back eclipsed by 3.8 seconds the team record for 15-18 and OPEN Boys held previously by Bobby Rose. He also barely missed making finals in the 100 back, finishing as first alternate.

Jake Quartuccio and Nathan Stephens also swam personal best times in all of their events. Nathan lowered his own records in the 50 breast (split time of 32.70), 100 breast, and 200 breast for 15-18 Boys and OPEN Boys. His time of 1:10.64 in the 100 breast is also a qualifying time for Summer Sectionals. Jackie Hynson was the only other Raider to swim a Summer Sectionals cut; she qualified in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:07.22.

Kathleen Lyon also had an outstanding meet, swimming personal best times in all eight of her events! She lowered her own team records in the 15-18 and OPEN 400 free and 400 IM and 15-18 100 free. She also eclipsed the records held previously by Aly Clarke in the 200 fly (by 1.9 seconds) and 1500 free (by 10.8 seconds). Both Kathleen and Jackie swam the 100 free faster than Beth Dobson’s OPEN record of 1:03.79; Kathleen holds the new record with a 1:03.50. Jackie Hynson shaved time from her own records for 15-18 and OPEN Girls in the 200 free. The last of the twenty-one team records set at this meet happened during the last event of the last day when the quartet of Mike Biffel, Nathan Stephens, Josh Huger, and Jake Quartuccio established the record in the OPEN 400 meter medley relay. Top individual performances follow:

Curt Albert (14): New A time in 200 back (2:36.95)

Mike Biffel (16): New AA times in 200 free (2:09.56), 100 back (1:07.04), and 200 back (2:21.64)

Josh Huger (17): New AA time in 50 free (26.38); new A time in 200 free (2:11.63)

Jackie Hynson (16): Sectional cut in 100 fly (1:07.22, AAA); new AAA time in 100 free (1:03.71); new AA times in 200 free (2:19.03) and 400 free (4:55.36)

Kathleen Lyon (15): New AAA times in 100 free (1:03.50) and 100 fly (1:07.46); new AA times in 50 free (30.33), 200 free (2:19.62), 400 free (4:46.83), 1500 free (18:49.57), 200 fly (2:32.49), and 400 IM (5:35.42)

Jake Quartuccio (16): New AA times in 50 free (28.07); 100 free (1:01.37) and 400 free (4:40.37); new A times in 200 free (2:13.63), 100 back (1:10.94), and 200 IM (2:32.49)

Nathan Stephens (17): Sectional cut and new AAA time in 100 breast (1:10.64); new AA time in 200 breast (2:39.01); new A times in 50 free (28.08) and 100 free (1:01.41)

Will Webber (17): New AA times in 50 free (26.64) and 100 free (57.86)

Swim Like a FISH (June 17-18, 2006)

Eleven Raiders attended the Swim Like a FISH long course meet on June 17-18 at George Mason University’s 50-meter pool. Swimmers competed in one of three time divisions based on seed times. Nathan Stephens was the top finisher for the Raiders, capturing a second place in the A Division and lowering his own Raiders team record in the 100 breaststroke for 15-18 Boys and OPEN Boys.

Fourteen-year-old Curt Albert crushed his previous best time in the 100 fly, easily winning the C Division and establishing the Raiders team record in the 13-14 Boys 50 fly with his split time of 34.09. He swam personal best times in all six of his events, and Charlotte Taft swam eight! Jackie Hynson also won an event in the C Division, knocking over fourteen seconds from her previous best time in the 100 breast. Also noteworthy were the five personal best times each posted by Elena Swick and Katie Taylor in their six events.

Top eight finishes in each of the three time divisions follow:

A Division:

Josh Huger (17): Seventh in 100 fly (1:03.78, AA)

Jackie Hynson (15): Sixth in 100 fly (1:10.14, AA)

Kathleen Lyon (15): Third in 100 fly (1:09.12, AAA); Fifth in 200 fly (2:35.22, AA); Eighth in 400 IM (5:38.27, AA)

Nathan Stephens (16): Second in 100 breast (1:12.09, AA)

BB/B Division:

Curt Albert (14): Third in 200 IM (2:43.21, BB)

Josh Huger (17): Fifth in 100 breast (1:27.92, B)

Nathan Stephens (16): Third in 200 IM (2:39.15, BB)

Charlotte Taft (15): Fifths in 100 back (1:24.00, BB), 200 back (2:55.94, BB), 100 breast (1:34.76, BB), and 200 breast (3:19.82, BB); Seventh in 200 IM (2:56.51, BB)

C Division:

Curt Albert (14): First in 100 fly (1:12.05, BB)

Tyler Grigg (13): Sixth in 400 free (5:50.63, B); Seventh in 200 IM (3:04.56, B)

Jackie Hynson (15): First in 100 breast (1:28.19, BB)

Elena Swick (13): Second in 50 free (36.43, B); Sixth in 100 fly (1:29.14, B); Eighths in 100 free (1:19.91, B) and 100 back (1:33.73)

Katie Taylor (14): Fifth in 200 fly (3:22.86)

Just Swim Again LC Derby (April 29-30, 2006)

Twenty-eight Raiders traveled to George Mason University to compete in the first meet of the 2006 Long Course Season. FISH hosted the Just Swim Again LC Derby on April 29 – 30 at GMU’s 50-meter pool. In the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, swimmers competed under horse names in one of three time divisions based on seed times.

Haras (a.k.a. sixteen-year-old Sarah Grigg) had a dynamite debut with the Raiders. She dominated the 15-18 Girls C Division, capturing four firsts and one second. She also won the 50 free in the BB/B Division with one of the four A times she swam at the meet. Those are her first-ever A times. Six Raiders broke team records in their long course debuts. Bad to the Bones (a.k.a. Nathan Stephens) broke the 15-18 and OPEN records in the 50 breast, 100 breast, and 200 breast, eclipsing the marks set by Alex Federle back in 2002. My Buddy Boy (a.k.a. Brett Farrell) established the 9-10 Boys record in the 50 breast, and broke Grant Pate’s records in the 50 back and 100 free. Something Fun (a.k.a. Daniel Grigg) established the record for 9-10 Boys 50 free, and Kashmir (a.k.a. Matt Koontz) established the record for 11-12 Boys 100 breast. Ever So Clear (a.k.a. Elyse Quartuccio) swam her first-ever BB time and smashed the 9-10 Girls 50 breast record by over ten seconds. Last, More Power (a.k.a. Josiah Sizemore) established the record for 13-14 Boys in the 50 back. Also swimming in their first long course meet for the Raiders were Matt Cooke, Savannah Cover, Carly Farrell, Emily Fleming, Jeremy Fleming, Tyler Grigg, Jess Mundi, Maria Palmer, Ryan Palmer, Charlotte Taft, Jen Van Deven, Will Webber, Anna Wells, and Catherine Wilson.

Veteran Raiders also performed well. Porker (a.k.a. Kathleen Lyon) dominated the BB/B division, winning three events. She also easily won the 200 butterfly in the C Division, dropping twenty-three seconds from her previous best time, and posting a time that would have placed third in the A Division. Porker also broke five team records for 15-18 Girls. She eclipsed Aly Clarke’s record in the 400 free by over five seconds, Heather Hamor’s 200 breast by eleven seconds, Aly’s 400 IM by .23 seconds, Jessica Wright’s 100 breast by .03 seconds, and Aly Clarke’s record in the 100 free by a scant hundredth of a second! Her times in the 400 free, 100 breast, 200 breast, and 400 IM were also records in the OPEN category. Also swimming personal best times in all of their events were Audrey Donahue, Jake Quartuccio, Elena Swick, and Katie Taylor.

Top eight finishes and new BB or better times in each of the three time divisions follow:

A Division:

Josh Huger (16): Sixth in 100 fly (1:06.40, A)

Jackie Hynson (15): Third in 200 back (2:36.99, AA); AA in 100 free (1:06.21); A in 400 free (4:59.90)

Nathan Stephens (16): Third in 50 breast (32.95); Seventh in 100 breast (1:14.00, AA); AA in 200 breast (2:43.38); A in 50 free (28.32)

Will Webber (17): AA in 50 free (59.21); A in 100 breast (1:15.44); BB in 200 IM (2:34.82)

Anna Wells (13): Seventh in 50 free (30.86, AA)

BB/B Division:

Jeremy Fleming (15): Seventh in 50 free (31.46, BB); Eighth in 100 free (2:25.78, BB)

Sarah Grigg (16): First in 50 free (31.50, A); Third in 100 free (1:08.76, A); Sixth in 200 free (2:31.12, BB)

Josh Huger (16): Fifth in 400 IM (5:46.26, BB)

Kathleen Lyon (15): Firsts in 100 fly (1:10.34, AA), 400 free (4:55.27, AA), and 400 IM (5:35.72, AA); Thirds in 100 breast (1:26.43, A) and 200 breast (3:04.42, A); AA in 100 free (1:04.74) and 200 free (2:20.81)

Jake Quartuccio (16): Second in 100 back (1:13.06, BB); A in 50 free (28.49), 200 free (2:14.89), and 400 IM (5:28.84)

Nathan Stephens (16): Second in 200 IM (2:37.76, BB); BB in 100 free (1:07.05) and 200 free (2:27.36)

Charlotte Taft (15): Sixth in 200 back (3:00.75, BB); Seventh in 400 free (5:34.83, BB); Eighths in 100 back (1:24.89, B) and 200 IM (3:01.04, BB); BB in 50 free (33.99), 100 free (1:13.19), and 200 free (2:36.79)

Katie Taylor (14): Seventh in 400 free (5:45.43, B); BB in 50 free (35.28)

Anna Wells (13): Third in 200 free (2:30.19, A); Fourth in 100 fly (1:21.53, BB)

C Division:

Matt Cooke (12): Fifth in 50 back (43.24)

Audrey Donahue (11): First in 50 fly (40.26, B); Third in 50 back (42.82, B); Fifths in 50 free (35.17, BB) and 100 fly (1:33.12, B); Sixth in 200 free (2:59.07, B); Sevenths in 100 free (1:21.31, B) and 100 back (1:31.80, BB); Eighth in 200 IM (3:19.77, B)

Brett Farrell (10): Fourth in 100 free (1:33.95, B); Eighth in 50 back (55.67, B)

Emily Fleming (13): Second in 50 free (35.15, BB); Fourth in 100 back (1:28.95, B); Fifth in 200 free (2:51.98, B)

Jeremy Fleming (15): Fourth in 100 back (1:20.90, B)

Sarah Grigg (16): Firsts in 200 back (2:46.54, A), 100 breast (1:32.79, BB), 100 fly (1:18.19, BB), and 200 IM (2:47.72, A); Second in 100 back (1:19.75, BB)

Tyler Grigg (13): Sixth in 200 back (3:16.27)

Kathleen Lyon (15): First in 200 fly (2:35.40, AA)

Jess Mundi (16): Third in 50 free (38.07); Fourth in 100 fly (1:36.78); Fifth in 200 free (3:04.19); Sixth in 100 free (1:24.30)

Ryan Palmer (14): Second in 50 free (31.68, BB); Third in 200 free (2:42.69, B)

Elyse Quartuccio (10): Fifth in 50 breast (56.92, B); Sixth in 50 back (49.37, BB)

Elena Swick (13): Fourth in 50 free (37.27, B); Seventh in 200 free (2:52.39, B)

Katie Taylor (14): Third in 200 free (2:47.74, B); Fourth in 100 breast (1:43.60, B); Sixth in 100 free (1:17.56, B); Seventh in 100 back (1:31.20, B)

Jen Van Deven (15): Third in 100 free (1:20.79, B); Fourth in 100 breast (1:38.92, B); Sixth in 200 IM (3:28.32)

Junior All-Stars Championship (March 10 – 12, 2006)

Swimmers with at least B times but less than All-Stars cuts were invited to compete at the Junior All-Stars Meet hosted by CBAC on March 10-12 at St Mary’s College. The quartet of Jake Quartuccio, Charlotte Taft, Katie Taylor, and Anna Wells combined for twenty-eight personal best times! Anna Wells won the 50 free, swam her first-ever AA times in the 50 and 100 free, and dropped nearly thirty seconds from her previous best time in the 500 free. Meanwhile, Jake Quartuccio had top-six finishes in all eight of his events and swam his first-ever AA times in the 50, 200, and 500 freestyles. Charlotte Taft also had her first-ever AA time in the 50 free, and she dropped a total of 43.65 seconds from her seven events. Last but not least, Katie Taylor swam her first-ever BB times in five events: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, and 200 IM.

Other noteworthy performances were Blair Johnson swimming personal best times in all five events, and Lydia Michela swimming personal best times in all four events. Top eight finishes and new BB or better times follow:

Amanda Caballero (10): Seventh in 50 back (40.23, BB); eighths in 100 breast (1:42.07, BB) and 100 IM (1:30.11, BB)

Natalie Clagett (13): BB in 50 free (29.16) and 200 free (2:25.00)

Blake Clift (9): Fourth in 50 fly (42.55, B); sixth in 50 free (34.83, BB)

Audrey Donahue (11): BB in 100 back (1:21.21)

Erica Hamor (17): Eighth in 200 IM (2:28.08, BB); BB in 100 fly (1:08.90)

Blair Johnson (14): BB in 50 free (30.47) and 100 breast (1:22.34)

Lydia Michela (18): BB in 100 free (1:04.90) and 500 free (6:14.93)

Jake Quartuccio (16): Second in 500 free (5:08.24, AA); fourth in 200 fly (2:14.11, A); fifths in 200 free (1:54.98, AA), 100 breast (1:10.85, BB), 100 fly (1:01.03, BB), and 200 IM (2:12.01, A); sixths in 50 free (24.28, AA) and 100 free (53.22, A)

Aaryn Schied (17): BB in 100 free (1:02.03) and 500 free (6:06.85)

Charlotte Taft (15): Fourth in 50 free (26.89, AA); fifth in 100 back (1:09.92, BB); seventh in 200 back (2:29.90, BB); A in 100 free (59.91); BB in 200 free (2:11.66), 500 free (5:54.46), and 200 IM (2:32.11)

Katie Taylor (14): BB in 50 free (30.17), 100 free (1:06.05), 200 free (2:23.83), 500 free (6:15.38), and 200 IM (2:42.24)

Ashley Warren (12): Fifth in 50 fly (33.11, BB); sixth in 100 fly (1:15.59, BB); A in 50 free (29.26); BB in 100 free (1:05.76), 50 back (35.63), and 200 IM (2:48.49)

Anna Wells (13): First in 50 free (26.66, AA); third in 100 free (58.40, AA); eighth in 100 fly (1:10.10, BB); A in 200 free (2:10.30) and 500 free (5:49.43); BB in 200 IM (2:34.16)

Maryland LSC All-Stars Championship Meet (March 2-4, 2006)

The Maryland LSC Championship Meet was held on March 2-6 at St Mary’s College. In a meet that featured 25 teams and over 500 elite swimmers, the small contingent of ten Raiders finished a very respectable fourteenth in the team competition. All ten Raiders scored points for the team, and they finished higher than several much larger teams.

McKenzie Olup, swimming in just her third USA swim meet, swam personal best times in her four events, all of them eclipsing the team records she set just two weeks ago. Her best swim was the 50 breast; she finished second with a time of 36.32, missing a AAAA time by a mere .03 second! This swim qualified her for the Maryland LSC All-Star Age Group Zone Team. Joining her on this team are Jackie Hynson (200 back) and Will Webber (100 & 200 breast). The trio will receive jackets for this honor.

Will Webber swam his first-ever Sectional qualifying times in the 100 and 200 breast, breaking six team records in doing so. He knocked a half second from Ethan Ratliff’s records in the Boys 15-18 and Boys OPEN 100 breast and nearly two seconds from Alex Federle’s records in the 200 breast. Those records had stood since the All-Stars meet in 2002. Will’s split in the 100 breast (28.16) also shaved nearly a second from Bobby Rose’s records in the 50 breast. Also qualifying for Sectionals for the first time were Josh Huger (100 fly) and Nathan Stephens (100 breast).

In relays, the quartet of Matt Faulds, Will Webber, Josh Huger, and Billy Rose placed fourth in both the 400 Medley Relay (3:41.23) and 400 Free Relay (3:20.20) with Sectional-qualifying times. The Medley Relay was a Raider team record, and the boys also qualified the 200 Free Relay for Sectionals with excellent individual swims in the 50 free. The Girls 400 Free Relay (Jackie Hynson, Anna Wells, Kathleen Lyon, Erica Hamor) finished eighth with a Raider team record time of 3:50.93.

Kathleen Lyon continued to rewrite the Raiders record book with AAA swims in all eight of her events. She lowered her own standards in the 13-14 Girls 200 Free, 500 Free, 1000 Free, 1650 Free, and 400 IM, and OPEN Girls 500 Free, 1000 Free, and 1650 Free. Her time in the 400 IM shattered Aly Clarke’s OPEN record by over eight seconds. Jackie Hynson broke the last four of the 25 team records set at this meet, lowering her own records in the 15-18 Girls and OPEN Girls 200 Free and 200 Back. Those who placed at finals in individual events and new personal best times follow:

Matt Faulds (18): Tenth in 100 back (56.11, AA); Sixteenth in 200 back (2:03.57, AA); AA in 100 fly (56.13)

Josh Huger (16): Eighth in 100 fly (54.09, AAA, Sectionals); Eleventh in 50 free (22.71, AAA); Fourteenth in 100 free (50.45, AAA)

Jackie Hynson (15): Eighth in 200 back (2:12.07, AAA); Thirteenths in 50 free (25.97, AA) and 100 fly (1:00.19, AAA); Fourteenth in 100 free (55.39, AAA); Sixteenth in 200 free (1:59.00, AAA)

Kathleen Lyon (14): Fourth in 1650 free (18.18.76, AAA); Fifth in 100 fly (1:00.24, AAA); Sixth in 200 fly (2:14.44, AAA); Tenths in 500 free (5:17.72, AAA) and 1000 free (10:57.60); Twelfth in 200 free (1:59.75, AAA); Thirteenth in 400 IM (4:45.07, AAA)

McKenzie Olup (10): Second in 50 breast (36.32, AAA); Fifth in 100 breast (1:20.99, AAA); AA in 100 IM (1:19.29); A in 50 free (31.11)

Billy Rose (17): Sixth in 50 free (22.35, AAA, Sectionals); Seventh in 100 free (48.43, AAA, Sectionals); Tenth in 200 fly (2:03.36, AA); Eleventh in 200 free (1:46.63, AAA); Twelfth in 100 fly (54.59, AA)

Nathan Stephens (16): Ninth in 100 breast (1:01.80, AAA, Sectionals)

Will Webber (17): Sevenths in 100 breast (1:00.82, AAA, Sectionals) and 200 breast (2:13.99, AAA, Sectionals); Twelfth in 50 free (22.72, AAA); Thirteenth in 100 free (50.00, AA)

GBSA Last Chance Qualifier Meet (February 17-19, 2006)

In this last opportunity to achieve qualifying times for next month’s Maryland LSC All-Stars Championship Swim Meet, ten-year-old McKenzie Olup led the eighteen Raiders swimmers with a stellar performance. She had five top-eight finishes, including three firsts, qualified four events for All-Stars, swam personal best times in all seven events, and broke six team records!! She captured firsts in both 50 and 100 breast, eclipsing Kathleen Lyon’s records from 2002 by 7.5 and 10.8 seconds, respectively. McKenzie’s time of 38.62 in the 50 breast is her first-ever AA time. She also shaved 1.6, 0.7, 7.8, and 5.1 seconds from Audrey Donahue’s team records from last season in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, and 100 IM, respectively. Also qualifying for All-Stars were senior boys Matt Faulds (100 free and 200 back) and Will Webber (100 free and 200 breast); both Matt and Will also won an event and posted top-eight finishes in all of their events.

Those swimmers who do not have All-Stars cuts but do have at least B times are qualified for next month’s Junior All-Stars swim meet. Swimmers who swam new Junior All-Stars qualifying times at this meet are Dusty Altimus (100 free, 100 breast, 200 IM), Natalie Clagett (50 free, 100 free, 200 breast), Audrey Donahue (100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 50 fly, 100 IM), Matt Faulds (200 free, 500 free, 100 breast, 200 breast), Erica Hamor (50 free), Gus Paras (50 free), Jake Quartuccio (500 free, 100 back, 100 fly), Nathan Stephens (100 free, 200 free), Charlotte Taft (200 free, 100 back, 200 back), Katie Taylor (100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 200 back, 200 fly, 200 IM), Will Webber (200 free, 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM), and Anna Wells (50 free, 200 free). Top eight finishes and those with new BB or better times follow:

Dusty Altimus (16): Third in 100 breast (1:08.90, A); BB in 200 IM (2:25.01)

Natalie Clagett (13): BB in 50 free (29.30) and 100 free (1:05.15)

Matt Faulds (18): First in 200 back (2:04.63, A); Seconds in 200 free (1:55.43, A) and 500 free (5:20.11, BB); Fourths in 100 free (52.26, A) and 200 breast (2:47.09, B); Fifth in 100 breast (1:13.74, B); Seventh in 200 IM (2:14.02, BB)

Erica Hamor (17): Third in 50 free (26.79, AA)

McKenzie Olup (10): Firsts in 50 free (31.66, A), 50 breast (38.62, AA), and 100 breast (1:29.33, A); Second in 100 IM (1:21.75, A); Sixth in 200 free (2:41.91, BB); BB in 100 free (1:15.51) and 50 fly (39.30)

Jake Quartuccio (15): Third in 500 free (5:22.71, A); Fourth in 400 IM (4:54.97, BB); Sixth in 50 free (24.98, A); Eighth in 100 back (1:05.88, BB); BB in 100 fly (1:02.72)

Nathan Stephens (16): Third in 200 breast (2:29.03, A); Seventh in 50 free (25.00, A); BB in 100 free (55.60) and 200 free (2:08.29)

Charlotte Taft (15): BB in 200 free (2:17.27), 100 back (1:12.86), and 200 back (2:36.93)

Katie Taylor (14): Seventh in 200 fly (2:51.41, B)

Will Webber (17): First in 200 breast (2:22.08, A); Second in 100 free (51.76, AA); Third in 100 fly (58.59, A); Fourth in 200 IM (2:11.62, A); Fifths in 200 free (1:56.59, A) and 200 fly (2:24.05, B)

Anna Wells (13): A in 50 free (27.73) and 200 free (2:12.76)

Rays B/C Swim Meet (February 4-5, 2006)

Twenty-one Raiders attended the meet held at the Regency Sports Complex in Fredericksburg. Eleven-year-old Ashley Warren led the Raiders with two firsts, two seconds, and two new BB times. Andrew Berry, Wesley Berry, and Blake Clift also won events. Andrew’s first place in the 25 back was also a team record, breaking the record set for 8&Under Boys by Jacob Coghan back in 2001. Andrew also broke Jacob’s record from 2002 in the 25 breast. Katie Taylor had an impressive meet, posting five top-eight finishes and four new B times in her six events, including a drop of over 12 seconds in the 200 freestyle.

In his first time swimming the 100 butterfly, Wesley Berry broke the Raiders team record for 9-10 Boys with a time of 1:44.90. Ten-year-old Brett Farrell had a terrific debut with the Raiders, posting a B time and seventh place finish in 50 butterfly. Also making their debut with the Raiders were Kristen Hornbaker, Taylor Provencher, and Josiah Sizemore. Last but not least, congratulations to the following swimmers who swam personal best times in all of their events: Amanda Ackerman, Ashley Ackerman, Andrew Berry, Stephanie DeLeon, Kelly Hoover, Ariane Mercado, Jose Mercado, Katie Taylor, and Ashley Warren. Top eight finishes and new B or better times follow:

Amanda Ackerman (12): B in 100 breast (1:34.36)

Ashley Ackerman (8): Fifth in 50 fly (1:01.13); Eighth in 25 fly (23.73)

Andrew Berry (8): First in 25 back (20.91), Fifth in 25 breast (28.15); Seventh in 50 free (39.76)

Wesley Berry (10): First in 100 IM (1:31.76, B); Second in 100 fly (1:44.90, B)

Blake Clift (9): First in 50 free (34.75, BB); Second in 200 IM (3:30.85); Fifth in 100 fly (1:48.71, B); Seventh in 100 IM (1:36.01, B)

Matthew Cooke (12): Sixth in 50 back (37.75, B)

Brett Farrell (10): Seventh in 50 fly (46.58, B)

Cole Gallamore (10): B in 50 back (45.00)

Kelly Hoover (12): B in 100 free (1:11.97)

Ariane Mercado (9): B in 100 IM (1:42.71)

Jose Mercado (12): Fourth in 200 IM (2:56.97, B); Sixth in 50 free (32.56, B)

Elena Swick (13): Fifth in 400 IM (6:23.42); Seventh in 200 free (2:39.48); Eighth in 100 fly (1:23.23); B in 50 free (33.04)

Katie Taylor (14): Third in 50 free (31.43, B); Fourths in 100 fly (1:17.59, B) and 200 fly (2:56.93); Fifth in 200 free (2:31.83, B); Seventh in 100 back (1:17.72, B)

Ashley Warren (11): Firsts in 50 breast (40.02, BB) and 200 fly (3:03.40, B); Seconds in 50 back (36.08, BB) and 200 breast (3:14.05, B); B in 500 free (6:57.45)

CBAC Winter Wake-Up Meet (January 27-29, 2006)

All Raiders were invited to compete in the meet hosted by CBAC at St. Mary’s College Natatorium. Age groups for this meet were 9&Under, 10-11, 12-13, and 14&Over.

Jackie Hynson had an outstanding meet, dominating the 14&Over age group with either first or second place finishes in all eight events, including five personal best times. She also broke eight Raider team records, setting the new standards for the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, and 200 IM in both the 15-18 Girls and OPEN Girls age groups. She lowered her own record in the 200 free, and eclipsed records previously held by Laura Halsey, Cassie Ritchey, and Aly Clarke, respectively, in the other events. Kathleen Lyon also had a great meet, qualifying for Sectionals for the first time with a first place finish in the 200 fly. She swam personal bests in her seven events and lowered her own team records for 13-14 Girls in the 200 free, 200 fly, and 200 IM. Jackie and Kathleen, along with Erica Hamor and Stephanie Stahl, swam record-breaking times in the Senior 200 medley relay (first place) and Senior 200 free relay (second place). Stephanie’s lead leg in the medley relay eclipsed Jessica Wright’s team record in the 15-18 50 back.

The last of the fifteen team records was set when Dakota Hinely established the standard for 11-12 Boys in the 200 back. Other noteworthy individual performances were Anna Wells breaking the one minute mark in the 100 free for the first time, Jake Quartuccio posting four new A times, and Nathan Stephens winning the 100 breast. Congratulations to Erica Hamor, Natalie Clagett, Kaitlyn Peltzer, and Charlotte Taft who all swam seven or more personal best times. Ribbons were awarded through tenth place. Recipients and those with new BB or better times follow:

Amanda Caballero (10): BB in 50 back (41.03), 100 back (1:33.83), 50 breast (47.11), and 100 IM (1:29.78)

Natalie Clagett (13): BB in 50 free (29.43)

Matt Dickerson (17): Tenth in 500 free (6:29.76)

Audrey Donahue (11): BB in 50 back (36.66)

Jeremy Fleming (14): Seventh in 200 fly (2:33.47, B); A in 50 free (26.53); BB in 200 IM (2:29.33)

Ben Golding (12): BB in 50 free (30.53)

Erica Hamor (17): Sixth in 400 IM (5:09.23, A); Seventh in 100 breast (1:16.56, BB); Ninth in 50 free (26.85, AA) and 200 free (2:07.85, A); Tenth in 100 free (58.51, A); A in 200 IM (2:25.31); BB in 100 fly (1:09.18)

Dakota Hinely (12): BB in 50 free (29.02) and 200 IM (2:46.11)

Jackie Hynson (15): Firsts in 50 free (25.75, AAA), 100 free (55.26, AAA), 200 free (1:59.92, AAA), 100 back (1:03.01, AA), and 100 fly (1:00.41, AAA); Seconds in 200 back (2:14.69, AA), 200 fly (2:15.95, AA), and 200 IM (2:17.42, AA)

Blair Johnson (14): BB in 50 free (30.84)

Kathleen Lyon (14): First in 200 fly (2:13.23, AAA); Second in 200 free (2:02.04, AAA); Third in 200 IM (2:17.47, AAA); Fourth in 100 free (57.24, AA); Eighth in 200 back (2:27.02, A); AA in 50 free (27.24); BB in 100 back (1:08.91)

Kaitlyn Peltzer (11): BB in 50 free (31.65)

Jake Quartuccio (15): Second in 400 IM (4:43.51, A); Fifth in 200 fly (2:17.90, BB); Sixth in 100 free (53.86, A); Eighth in 50 free (24.67, A); Ninths in 200 free (1:59.60, A) and 200 IM (2:16.60, BB)

Stephanie Stahl (17): A in 50 free (28.00); BB in 100 back (1:09.15), 100 breast (1:18.60), 100 fly (1:09.99), and 200 IM (2:30.60)

Nathan Stephens (16): First in 100 breast (1:05.93, AA); Second in 200 breast (2:28.26, A); Seventh in 50 free (24.39, A); Tenths in 100 free (56.14, BB), 100 fly (1:05.21, BB), and 200 IM (2:20.50, BB)

Charlotte Taft (15): A in 50 free (27.74); BB in 100 free (1:01.26), 200 free (2:21.38), 200 IM (2:35.23), and 400 IM (5:30.93)

Ashley Warren (11): Second in 100 fly (1:17.63, BB); Fifth in 50 fly (34.06, BB); Ninth in 50 free (30.41, BB); BB in 200 IM (2:51.08)

Anna Wells (13): Seventh in 100 free (59.61, A); BB in 200 free (2:14.72), 100 back (1:13.27), and 100 fly (1:10.39)

Winter Splash AA+ (January 21-22, 2006)

Five senior Raiders competed at the meet hosted by Williamsburg Aquatics Club at Fort Eustis. Kathleen Lyon had an outstanding meet, swimming personal best times in all eight of her events. She dominated the 13-14 age group at the meet, winning two events and finishing no lower than fifth. She also broke ten Raider team records, setting the new standards in the 13-14 Girls 200 free, 500 free, 1650 free, 50 breast, 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 fly, and 400 IM! Her times in the 500 free and 1650 free are also records in the OPEN age group. Josh Huger swam a terrific 100 butterfly, missing a Sectional cut by just four hundredths of a second. He also swam five personal best times. Matt Faulds swam four personal best times, and Jackie Hynson swam two. Jackie’s time in the 200 freestyle is a new team record in the 15-18 and OPEN age groups. Top ten finishes and new personal best times follow:

Matt Faulds (18): Tenth in 200 back (2:07.33, A); A in 100 free (52.87) and 200 fly (2:07.80); BB in 200 IM (2:13.81) and 400 IM (4:46.93)

Josh Huger (16): Sixth in 100 fly (54.13, AAA); AA in 200 free (1:54.99); A in 500 free (5:21.12), 200 fly (2:10.02), and 200 IM (2:14.60)

Jackie Hynson (15): Third in 200 fly (2:13.23, AAA); Fourth in 100 fly (1:01.33, AA); Seventh in 200 back (2:17.65, AA); Ninths in 200 free (2:02.52, AA) and 400 IM (4:57.65, AA)

Kathleen Lyon (14): Firsts in 500 free (5:20.52, AAA) and 200 fly (2:14.00, AAA); Seconds in 200 breast (2:39.28, AA) and 400 IM (4:53.85, AA); Third in 100 breast (1:14.10, AA); Fourths in 200 free (2:04.24, AA) and 100 fly (1:03.30, AA); Fifth in 1650 free (18:40.10, AA)

Billy Rose (17): Fourth in 100 free (49.69, AAA); Fifth in 50 free (22.99, AA); Sixth in 200 free (1:50.52, AA)

Cassel’s Christmas Invitational (December 15-18, 2005)

Twenty-three Raiders swam at George Mason University in the annual invitational hosted by the Potomac Marlins. Fifteen-year-old Jake Quartuccio and eleven-year-old Ashley Warren had stellar meets. Jake swam his first-ever A time and posted six personal bests in his seven events across three days of competition. He showed tremendous improvement across all strokes, shaving four, twenty-one, nineteen, thirty-four, and thirteen seconds, respectively, from the 100 free, 500 free, 1000 free, 200 IM, and 400 IM. Ashley swam personal bests in all seven events and swam an A time of 29.39 in the 50 free.

Other swimmers who swam personal best times in all events were Amanda Ackerman, Ashley Ackerman, Wesley Berry, and Kelly Hoover. Raiders with notable time improvements were Wesley Berry (shaved 20 and 43 seconds, respectively, from the 50 back and 100 breast), Megan Cooke (20 seconds from 200 breast), and Katie Taylor (27 and 21 seconds from 200 breast and 200 IM). Josh Huger, Jackie Hynson, and Kathleen Lyon each swam a new AAA time in their respective age groups; it was Kathleen’s first-ever AAA time.

Ten Raider team records were broken. Kathleen Lyon and Jackie Hynson broke five apiece, eclipsing three of Aly Clarke’s OPEN team records. Kathleen lowered her own 13-14 Girls records in the 1000 free, 200 breast, and 200 IM. Her 1000 free and 200 IM times broke Aly’s records in the OPEN category by 4.94 and 0.3 seconds, respectively. Jackie lowered her own records in the Girls 15-18 50 fly and 200 back and Girls OPEN 200 back. She then swam a Sectional qualifying time in the 200 butterfly, besting Aly’s 15-18 and OPEN records by 1.76 seconds. Top sixteen finishes for those who swam at Finals and new B or better times follow:

Amanda Ackerman (12): B in 50 free (34.55)

Wesley Berry (10): BB in 50 free (35.26); B in 50 back (44.15) and 100 breast (1:51.69)

Amanda Caballero (10): BB in 100 IM (1:32.21)

Audrey Donahue (11): B in 100 free (1:13.23)

Matt Faulds (18): BB in 500 free (5:28.00)

Kelly Hoover (12): B in 50 free (32.71)

Josh Huger (16): Third in 50 fly (24.07); Fourteenth in 50 free (22.88, AAA); Fifteenth in 200 fly (2:10.68, A)

Jackie Hynson (15): Fifth in 200 back (2:13.74, AA); Sixth in 200 fly (2:12.83, AAA); Tenth in 50 fly (27.23); AA in 100 free (56.62)

Kathleen Lyon (14): Thirds in 1000 free (11:04.96, AAA) and 200 IM (2:18.82, AA); Fifth in 200 fly (2:21.91, AA); Seventh in 100 free (57.56, AA); Tenth in 200 breast (2:42.65, A); Eleventh in 500 free (5:32.73, AA); BB in 100 back (1:09.49)

Charlotte Taft (15): BB in 50 free (28.22), 100 free (1:02.97), 500 free (6:17.21), and 200 IM (2:38.29)

Jake Quartuccio (15): A in 100 free (54.36); BB in 500 free (5:26.73), 1000 free (11:21.91), 100 breast (1:14.11), 200 IM (2:19.69), and 400 IM (4:57.17)

Billy Rose (17): BB in 200 back (2:13.31)

Aaryn Schied (17): BB in 200 back (2:33.84)

Katie Taylor (13): B in 100 free (1:11.62) and 200 IM (2:53.91)

Ashley Warren (11): A in 50 free (29.39), BB in 100 free (1:07.03), 100 breast (1:26.67), 100 fly (1:17.26), and 100 IM (1:17.20); B in 50 back (37.56)

Anna Wells (13): BB in 500 free (6:18.06)

Victor Mini Meet (December 10-11, 2005)

Eleven Raiders traveled to Springfield to compete at Victor’s 10&U Mini Invitational Meet at the South Run Recreation Center. There were several noteworthy performances. Amanda Caballero shaved nearly ten seconds from her previous best time in the 200 free and won the event. She also placed in the top six in six other events, posting six B and two BB times overall. Cole Gallamore, swimming in just his second USA swim meet, swam five B times and dropped five seconds in the 50 breast he swam just a week earlier. Wesley Berry swam personal bests in all of his events, and dropped over twenty seconds in the 100 IM. Ariane Mercado likewise swam all personal best times and dropped over eighteen seconds from her previous best time in the 100 breast. Eight-year-old Britt Burrell, a first-year swimmer, shaved over four seconds from her previous best time in the 50 free. Top six finishes and new B or better times follow:

Ashley Ackerman (8): Sixth in 25 breast (25.91)
Wesley Berry (10): Third in 200 free (3:01.52, B); Sixth in 100 IM (1:35.08, B); B in 50 free (36.37) and 50 breast (51.27)
Amanda Caballero (10): First in 200 free (2:59.43, B); Third in 200 IM (3:24.26, B); Fifths in 50 free (35.34, B), 50 fly (42.93, BB), and 100 back (1:35.83, B); Sixth in 50 breast (49.05, B) and 100 free (1:24.06, B)
Cole Gallamore (10): B in 50 free (38.23), 50 breast (51.44), 100 breast (1:55.77), and 100 IM (1:38.83)
Ariane Mercado (9): B in 50 back (45.92), 50 fly (47.04), and 100 breast (1:58.30)

NAAC B Buster (December 3-4, 2005)

The annual B Buster meet was held at the Naval Academy for swimmers with B/C times. Eighteen Raiders attended, and all swam at least one personal best time. Twelve-year-old Gus Paras had a dynamite debut with the Raiders, winning the 50 backstroke with a BB time and posting another BB time in the 50 free. Ten-year-old Cole Gallamore also debuted impressively with a B time in the 50 back.

Nine-year-old Blake Clift was a top performer for the boys, swimming B times and capturing top-eight finishes in all six of his events. He also set a team record for Boys 9-10 100 butterfly with a time of 1:46.08. Ten-year-old Amanda Caballero led the Raider girls with B times in all of her events. In the 11-12 age group, Matthew Cooke swam personal bests in all five of his events. In addition to the five swimmers already mentioned, the following Raiders posted three or more personal bests: Amanda Ackerman, Megan Cooke, Audrey Donahue, Allyson Gallamore, Alex Golding, Kaela Hornbaker, Kaitlyn Peltzer, and Elena Swick. Top eight finishes and new B or better times follow:

Amanda Caballero (10): Fourths in 100 back (1:35.10, B) and 100 fly (1:48.89, B); Sixth in 50 breast (49.91, B); B in 50 fly (46.88)
Blake Clift (9): Thirds in 100 free (1:21.77, B) and 100 back (1:37.75, B); Fourth in 50 back (44.80, B); Fifth in 200 IM (3:28.44, B); Sixth in 100 IM (1:34.48, B); Seventh in 100 fly (1:46.08, B)
Matthew Cooke (12): Seventh in 50 back (38.80, B)
Audrey Donahue (11): B in 200 free (2:43.31) and 100 IM (1:22.19)
Cole Gallamore (10): Fifth in 50 back (45.54, B)
Alex Golding (14): Seventh in 100 free (1:04.03, B)
Ben Golding (12): Second in 50 fly (34.55, BB); Seventh in 100 free (1:09.75, B)
Gus Paras (12): First in 50 back (35.62, BB); Second in 50 free (30.72, BB); Sixth in 100 breast (1:36.45); Eighth in 50 fly (39.70)
Kaitlyn Peltzer (11): B in 100 back (1:25.17) and 50 breast (45.29)
Elena Swick (12): Sixth in 50 fly (35.91, B); B in 50 free (33.70), 200 free (2:36.45) and 100 fly (1:25.54)

Swim & Rock Invitational (November 18-20, 2005)

Twenty-six Raiders attended the Swim & Rock Invitational at Oak Marr where 11 & older swimmers competed in a prelims/finals format, while 10 & younger swimmers swam in a separate timed finals session. Swimmers who swam personal best times in every event were Curt Albert, Wesley Berry, Alex Golding, Ben Golding, Tyler Manion, Jake Quartuccio, James Quartuccio, Katie Taylor, Ashley Warren, Will Webber, and Natalie Clagett, who knocked nearly forty seconds off of her previous best time in the 500 free!

Numerous team records were also broken. Nine-year-old Blake Clift and ten-year-old Wesley Berry both swam faster than the previous Boys 9-10 50 Butterfly record of 43.56. Blake set the new standard with a time of 41.88. Curt Albert broke the 13-14 records in the 50 fly and 50 breast with times of 31.31 and 36.95, respectively. Also in the 13-14 age group, Kathleen Lyon broke records in the 500 and 1000 freestyle, 100 breast, and 200 IM. In the 15-18 age group, Jackie Hynson set the new standards in 200 free, 200 back, 50 fly (28.26), and 100 fly. Her 200 free and 200 back times were also team records in the OPEN category.

Results for those who swam at Finals and new B or better times follow:

Curt Albert (14): Eighth in 200 fly (2:30.66, BB); tenth in 200 back (2:18.16, A); BB in 50 free (26.66), 100 free (1:00.60), 100 back (1:05.21, BB), and 100 breast (1:18.06)
Wesley Berry (10): B in 100 free (1:23.27), 100 back (1:39.13), and 50 fly (42.61)
Amanda Caballero (10): B in 200 free (3:09.30) and 100 IM (1:35.98)
Natalie Clagett (13): B in 100 free (1:07.80)
Blake Clift (9): BB in 50 fly (41.88); B in 50 free (35.88), 100 free (1:20.14), and 100 back (1:37.75)
Audrey Donahue (11): BB in 50 free (32.17); B in 50 back (39.46)
Matt Faulds (17): Sixth in 200 fly (2:09.77, BB); Seventh in 100 fly (56.46, AA); Eighth in 200 back (2:07.33, A); Ninth in 100 back (59.09, A); Fifteenth in 200 IM (2:14.16, BB) and 400 IM (4:48.45, BB); BB in 200 free (1:59.27)
Alex Golding (14): BB in 50 free (28.71)
Ben Golding (12): BB in 50 free (30.95); B in 50 fly (36.24)
Erica Hamor (17): Ninth in 1000 free (12:26.98, BB); Tenth in 200 fly (2:40.28, B); Thirteenth in 200 IM (2:28.30, BB); B in 200 fly (2:40.28)
Josh Huger (16): Tenth in 50 free (23.39, AA); BB in 100 back (1:02.88) and 200 back (2:18.82)
Jackie Hynson (15): Second in 100 fly (1:00.03, AAA); Third in 200 fly (2:15.17, AA); Fifth in 200 IM (2:22.65, A); Sixth in 200 back (2:15.66, AA); Eighth in 200 free (2:02.57, AA); Thirteenth in 100 back (1:03.93, AA)
Kathleen Lyon (14): Second in 1000 free (11:28.82, AA); Thirds in 500 free (5:30.82, AA) and 200 IM (2:19.98, AA); Fourth in 200 free (2:05.14, AA); Sixth in 100 breast (1:15.16, A); Tenth in 100 free (57.34, AA)
Tyler Manion (10): B in 100 breast (1:52.55)
Jake Quartuccio (15): Fifth in 1000 free (11:41.37, BB); Eighth in 200 breast (2:39.07, BB); BB in 50 free (25.68) and 200 free (2:01.65); B in 100 back (1:06.50) and 100 breast (1:15.34)
Billy Rose (17): Fourth in 100 free (50.13); Fifth in 50 free (22.93, AA); Twelfth in 100 back (59.59, A)
Aaryn Schied (17): BB in 50 free (28.91) and 200 back (2:34.70); B in 500 free (6:18.35) and 100 breast (1:23.82)
Katie Taylor (14): B in 50 free (32.57)
Ashley Warren (11): BB in 50 free (30.50) and 50 fly (33.79); B in 100 back (1:24.29)
Will Webber (16): AA in 50 free (23.85) and 100 breast (1:05.63); BB in 100 back (1:05.10)

CBAC Fall Warm-Up Meet (October 22-23, 2005)

Fifty Raiders traveled to the meet at St. Mary’s College, and over half of them achieved top eight finishes, including a sweep of first and second places in the Men’s 100 breaststroke. Two swimmers had awesome debuts with the Raiders. Twelve-year-old Dakota Hinely finished in the top four in all seven of his events and posted three BB times. Sixteen-year-old Will Webber won the 100 and 200 breast and achieved AA times in the 50 and 100 free. Other swimmers competing in their first USA meet were Britt Burrell, Jon Exline, Libby Exline, Alex Golding, Ben Golding, Kaela Hornbaker, Jess Mundi, Elyse Quartuccio, and Bailey Thall.

Swimmers Erica Hamor and Kathleen Lyon also won events. Erica swam a personal best time in the 200 free, and Kathleen swam personal best times in the 200 butterfly and 200 IM. More noteworthy performances came from Dusty Altimus and Natalie Clagett who dropped over two and four seconds, respectively, from their previous best times in the 100 free, established just three weeks ago! Swimmers who established personal best times in every event were Dusty Altimus, Josh Arenstam, Amanda Caballero, Alexander Chung, Natalie Clagett, Sarah Driscoll, Carly Farrell, Emily Fleming, Jeremy Fleming, Jose Mercado, Becky Olsen, Ryan Palmer, Jake Quartuccio, James Quartuccio, Neloufar Rahai, Aaryn Schied, Chelsea Stahl, Ashley Warren, and Anna Wells.

Top eight finishes and new BB or better times follow:

Dusty Altimus (15): Second in 100 breast (1:10.32, BB); Sixth in 100 free (55.52, BB); Seventh in 200 back (2:32.18, B)
Wesley Berry (10): Fifth in 50 free (37.64, B)
Amanda Caballero (10): Seventh in 100 breast (1:45.23, BB); Eighth in 100 free (1:18.76, BB); BB in 50 back (42.25)
Alexander Chung (12): Eighth in 100 breast (1:46.43)
Natalie Claggett (12): Seventh in 100 free (1:07.86, BB)
Blake Clift (9): Third in 50 free (37.10, B); Fourth in 200 IM (3:36.09, B); Sixth in 100 IM (1:36.80, B); Sevenths in 100 free (1:26.34, B), 50 breast (52.13, B), and 100 breast (2:01.04)
Matthew Cooke (12): Fifth in 50 back (40.88); Eighths in 100 back (1:31.88) and 100 IM (1:39.55)
Jeremy Fleming (14): Fifth in 200 back (2:37.82, B); Sixth in 100 free (1:00.29, BB); Eighth in 100 fly (1:15.20)
Ben Golding (12): Fourth in 50 free (33.09, B); Fifth in 50 fly (37.06, B); Eighths in 100 free (1:15.93) and 50 breast (54.31)
Erica Hamor (17): First in 100 free (59.65, A); Second in 200 free (2:11.14, BB); Third in 500 free (6:04.41, BB); Fourth in 200 breast (2:51.54, BB); Eighth in 100 breast (1:21.31, BB)
Dakota Hinely (12): Firsts in 50 free (30.19, BB) and 200 free (2:31.26, B); Seconds in 100 free (1:04.87, BB) and 100 IM (1:21.09, B); Thirds in 50 back (36.05, BB) and 200 IM (2:56.65, B); Fourth in 50 fly (36.99, B)
Emily Jones (14): Eighth in 50 free (30.42, BB); BB in 100 free (1:05.64)
Kathleen Lyon (14): Firsts in 200 breast (2:51.07, BB), 200 fly (2:30.37, BB), and 200 IM (2:28.44, A); Second in 100 back (1:10.09, BB)
Tyler Manion (10): Sixth in 100 breast (1:57.26)
Jose Mercado (12): Second in 100 fly (1:22.32, B); Fifth in 200 IM (2:59.21, B); Seventh in 100 breast (1:42.62)
Jess Mundi (15): Fifth in 200 fly (3:10.64)
Ryan Palmer (13): Sixth in 100 breast (1:21.79, B); Eighth in 100 free (1:01.33, BB)
Grant Pate (11): Fifth in 200 free (3:15.89)
Jake Quartuccio (15): Fifth in 200 back (2:24.40, B); Sixth in 400 IM (5:10.84, BB); Eighth in 100 breast (1:20.82)
Valerie Robinson (15): Seventh in 50 free (28.76, BB); BB in 200 free (2:19.85)
Aaryn Schied (17): Fourth in 100 back (1:10.40, BB); Eighth in 100 free (1:02.10, BB); BB in 200 free (2:18.45)
Stephanie Stahl (17): Sixth in 100 breast (1:20.23, BB)
Elena Swick (12): Seventh in 500 free (7:00.40, B); Eighth in 200 free (2:37.91, B)
Charlotte Taft (14): Fifth in 200 breast (3:03.74, B); Seventh in 100 back (1:14.93, B); Eighths in 200 free (2:23.56, BB), 200 back (2:45.88, B), and 200 IM (2:46.22, B)
Ashley Warren (11): Eighth in 100 breast (1:30.37, B)
Will Webber (16): Firsts in 100 breast (1:06.44, A) and 200 breast (2:28.95, A); Second in 50 free (24.15, AA); Thirds in 100 free (53.07, AA) and 200 free (1:59.64, A); Fourth in 100 fly (1:00.96, BB); Seventh in 200 IM (2:20.21, BB)
Anna Wells (13): Second in 50 free (28.21, A); Fifth in 200 IM (2:39.67, BB); Sixth in 200 free (2:19.06, BB); Eighth in 100 back (1:16.42, B)

Freestyle Sendoff (September 30 – October 2, 2005)

Thirty-five Potomac Raiders attended the first meet of the short course season, Freestyle Sendoff, at the Arundel Olympic Swim Center in Annapolis on September 30 through October 2. Kathleen Lyon earned the only ribbons for the Raiders, finishing sixth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free.

Returning swimmers Dusty Altimus, Amanda Caballero, Natalie Claggett, Matthew Cooke, Megan Cooke, Elisa Huger, Emily Jones, Kevin Kinter, Lydia Michela, Matthew Michela, Nathan Stephens, and Anna Wells swam personal best times in all of their events.

New swimmers Amanda Ackerman, Ashley Ackerman, Blake Clift, Carly Farrell, Kelly Hoover, Paul Michael Hutnyan, Tyler Manion, Becky Olsen, James Quartuccio, Jen Van Deven, and Catherine Wilson made their debut with the Raiders. Special congratulations to Blake Clift and Kelly Hoover, who posted B times in their first-ever USA swimming competition! Although not new to USA swimming, three other swimmers are new to the Raiders and also had impressive debuts. Jose Mercado and Chelisse Perry each swam a B time. Eight-year-old Ariane Mercado, swimming the 200 free for the first time in competition, posted a 10&Under B time and set the Raider team record in the event for 8&Under girls. She also swam a B time in the 100 free.

New B or better times follow:

Dusty Altimus (15): BB in 50 free (25.45), 100 free (58.07), 200 free (2:08.48), and 500 free (5:44.29)
Amanda Caballero (10): BB in 50 free (34.09); B in 100 free (1:23.63) and 200 free (3:11.73)
Natalie Claggett (12): BB in 50 free (30.49); B in 100 free (1:12.37) and 200 free (2:41.42)
Blake Clift (9): B in 50 free (38.74) and 100 free (1:29.09)
Kelly Hoover (12): B in 50 free (33.40)
Elisa Huger (13): B in 50 free (32.04)
Josh Huger (16): A in 200 free (1:59.64)
Emily Jones (14): BB in 50 free (29.53) and 100 free (1:06.20); B in 200 free (2:29.40)
Kathleen Lyon (14): A in 50 free (27.25), 100 free (59.75), and 500 free (5:51.39)
Ariane Mercado (8): B in 100 free (1:31.16) and 200 free (3:17.16)
Jose Mercado (12): B in 50 free (33.06)
Lydia Michela (17): B in 50 free (30.67), 100 free (1:06.71), 200 free (2:24.81), and 500 free (6:31.28)
Matthew Michela (15): B in 50 free (27.61), 100 free (1:02.40), 200 free (2:20.64), and 500 free (6:06.52)
Chelisse Perry (14): B in 50 free (32.55)
Jake Quartuccio (15): BB in 50 free (26.43), 200 free (2:07.77), 500 free (5:48.31), and 1000 free (11:59.25)
Nathan Stephens (16): B in 200 free (2:12.49) and 500 free (6:12.88)
Charlotte Taft (14): BB in 200 free (2:23.17); B in 500 free (6:26.96)
Anna Wells (13): BB in 50 free (28.74), 100 free (1:03.97), and 200 free (2:25.10); B in 500 free (6:26.45)