It’s finally the start of NVSL competition! Week one is in the books–despite fears of bad swimming weather–and there was plenty to be excited about if you found yourself on the pool deck Saturday morning!
Preview | Free | Back | Breast | Fly | Relays | Recap
Chesterbrook entered the 2018 season as the back-to-back reigning league champion, and they picked up right where they left off. The Tiger Sharks traveled to Highlands Swim, just down the road in McLean for a Division 1 showdown with the Whomping Turtles, and picked up right where they left off in 2017 by winning the meet 303-117. Chesterbrook has been a powerhouse for nearly a decade at the pinnacle of NVSL competition, and not without good reason. In addition to their 13 Preseason All-Swim Ninja selections, the Tiger Sharks displayed their ability to continually develop and churn out strong swimmers year after year. A number of young athletes who were not previously on our radar going into the season have established themselves with their first swims of the summer, fortifying the defending champs depth.
Chesterbrook won 1st in 32 of 40 individual events and picked up additional 2nd and 3rd place points in 24 of those races. The Tiger Sharks clinched the win early in Butterfly, before winning 11 of 12 relays. Chesterbrook remains the team to beat at the pinnacle of NVSL swimming, and will require a true team effort from top talent and role-playing depth swimmers to be unseated…as long as they show up and look as dominant as they were this morning!
Despite the lopsided affair, Highlands had a number of very strong swimmers display their ability–Senior boy Ben Charles pulled out two very close wins in breast and fly. Skylar Sunderhauf had a great 13-14 fly and Allison Martin looked unbeatable in senior girls free, winning by almost a second. To top it all off, Highlands walked away from the meet a much-improved team with 67 best times, so don’t sleep on the Whomping Turtles this season!
Ultimately Highlands lacked the depth to keep up with Chesterbrook, but that is largely due to the Tiger Sharks having 2nd and 3rd fastest swimmers in a number of events that could be the strongest swimmer at other pools. The Ninjas have their eyes on both these teams throughout the season, and we wish the Tiger Sharks and Whomping Turtles the best of luck in their meets ahead!
Click the links to find the race videos for each event!
Preview | Free | Back | Breast | Fly | Relays | Recap
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