It was a beautiful day for swimming on Saturday, and the MVP Gators had a great showing at the Division 4 Individual Championship, also known as Divisionals.
Thanks to some lucky breaks with alternates getting into the race, MVP had the most swimmers of any team, and there were four team records set (see related blog post).
Stat Boy would like to note that Cassidy's time would place her first in both the 13-14 girls and 15-18 girls IM. . .for freakin' All-Stars! It also would place her 6th in the 13-14 boys IM for All-Stars.
On the fly, Casidy's time is also faster than the top seed for 13-14 and 15-18 girls, and would have seeded her 5th for 13-14 boys. In Division 4, her fly time would have gotten Cassidy first place in every gender/age group except 15-18 boys, where she would have finished 2nd.
I'm too tired to do a lengthy write-up, so here are your Gators who finished top six:
First Place
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 free
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 back
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 back
Juliette Fore -- 8 & under 25 breaststroke
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 fly
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 fly
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 IM
Second Place
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 free
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 back
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 back
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 back
Jayne Orleans -- 15-18 breaststroke
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly
Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 fly
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 IM
Third Place
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 free
Tom Dupuis -- 13-14 free
Leigh Orleans -- 15-18 free
Molly Cabral -- 13-14 back
Parker Blondin -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sarah Jones -- 13-14 breaststroke
Emma Jones -- 11-12 fly
Mollie Passacantando -- 13-14 fly
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 IM
Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 IM
Fourth Place
Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 free
Emma Jones -- 11-12 free
Mollie Passacantando -- 13-14 free
Molly Rutherford -- 8 & under 25 breaststroke
Brian McNamara -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 breaststroke
Kaila Stein -- 13-14 breaststroke
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly
Parker Blondin 9-10 25 fly
Jessie Bricker -- 13-14 fly
Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 fly
Tristan Colaizzi -- 13-14 IM
Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 IM
Fifth Place
Elaina Phalen -- 11-12 free
Jessica Metter -- 15-18 free
Kenny Krogh -- 8 & under 25 back
Cage Theriot -- 8 & under 25 back
Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 back
Collin Sundsted -- 11-12 back
Parker Fulghum -- 11-12 back
Elaina Phalen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Emily Walzl -- 13-14 breaststroke
Kenny Krogh -- 8 & under 25 fly
Jessica Metter -- 15-18 fly
Sean Jansen -- 11-12 IM
Sixth Place
Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 free
Jessie Bricker -- 13-14 free
Taylor Makin -- 9-10 back
Lily Penn -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sean Jansen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Olivia Blondin -- 9-10 25 fly
Cole Miller -- 11-12 fly
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 IM
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 IM
Jayne Orleans -- 15-18 IM
Congrats to all Gator Divisionals swimmers.
Gator Nation
Monday, July 30, 2012
Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh Nuh, Nuh, Nuh. . .Stat Boy! Stat Boy! Stat Boy!
(Above headline must be sung to the tune of the original Batman TV show. Meanwhile, Stat Boy's notes were found in Gotham City, at which point they were posted to this blog!)
Your 2012 MVP Gators! They won the Individual Medley Invitational trophy for the third year in a row, and finished 4-1 in Division 4.
We had 285 swimmers join the team – making us one of the largest teams in the NVSL. 54 kids age 6 or younger, 84 kids age 7-8, 64 swimmers age 9-10, 41 swimmers age 11-12, 22 swimmers age 13-14, and 20 kids age 15-18
We had 222 swimmers swim in meets, including 97 who swam in A Meets. Fully 70 kids scored points in A Meets, including 38 girls and 32 boys. Last season, we had 60 kids score points in A Meets – good depth this year.
In the 11 meets tracked by Hy-Tek, we had 2,704 "splashes" – that’s 16,224 starts and stops by timers – well, 16,221 if you don’t count the three watches in that Kevin Adams-Mardi race! Elaina Phalen was the Splash Queen with 38 swims in those meets. On the boys side, the Splash King was Kevin Adams-Mardi with 34.
We had one dozen swimmers with perfect attendance at meets – Torie Bolger, Ellie Cullo, Juliette Fore, Parker Fulghum, Kenny Krogh, Cecilia Morales, Liam Orr, Mollie Passacantando, Elaina Phalen, Sheridan Phalen, James Piland, and Emily Walzl!
We’ve won seven IM Invitationals, including five in the last seven years.
Three teams did not lose a relay race – the 11-12 girls, the 13-14 girls, and the 15-18 girls. Overall, the Gators won 38 of 60 relays this year – a .633 winning percentage and better than we did 2 years ago when we went undefeated!
We sent twelve teams to All-Stars, finishing 9th overall – out of 102 teams. We were seeded 20th in the league.
Oh, and yes, MVP scored 230 points in that meet. We finished far ahead of – oh, let’s pick some random pools – Mansion House, Waynewood, Riverside Gardens, and Stratford.
I’d like Nick Dupuis to come up here. Two years ago, Nick was the only Gator boy to set a team record. This year, he’s got company. Please come up when I call your name: Recognition of NVSL record setters – Cassidy Bayer set the backstroke, butterfly, and IM records for NVSL. Also three National Age Group records – 11-12 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly. Joining Cassidy on an NVSL record relay were Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, and Elaina Phalen
Kenny Krogh, Will Friedman, Charlie Ruppe, James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn, Nick Dupuis, Cameron Morey, Sean Jansen, Cole Miller, Sam McBroom, Dom Heratsch, Kevin Adams-Mardi, Cyrus Adams-Mardi.
Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecelia Morales, Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker, Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Leigh Orleans.
Overall, 18 new team records were set by 15 girls and 14 boys.
Divisonal Championships were held today at Hunt Valley. Stat Boy did some complicated math – Gators took 21.5% of top six places, when the average team should take 16.6% – which means MVP swimmers overperformed the average by 30%.
Four new team records were set today.
We had 13 swims go under last year’s All-Star cut, and bunch who are on the bubble. The cut DOES change, so let’s hope they all make it.
Your 2012 MVP Gators! They won the Individual Medley Invitational trophy for the third year in a row, and finished 4-1 in Division 4.
We had 285 swimmers join the team – making us one of the largest teams in the NVSL. 54 kids age 6 or younger, 84 kids age 7-8, 64 swimmers age 9-10, 41 swimmers age 11-12, 22 swimmers age 13-14, and 20 kids age 15-18
We had 222 swimmers swim in meets, including 97 who swam in A Meets. Fully 70 kids scored points in A Meets, including 38 girls and 32 boys. Last season, we had 60 kids score points in A Meets – good depth this year.
In the 11 meets tracked by Hy-Tek, we had 2,704 "splashes" – that’s 16,224 starts and stops by timers – well, 16,221 if you don’t count the three watches in that Kevin Adams-Mardi race! Elaina Phalen was the Splash Queen with 38 swims in those meets. On the boys side, the Splash King was Kevin Adams-Mardi with 34.
We had one dozen swimmers with perfect attendance at meets – Torie Bolger, Ellie Cullo, Juliette Fore, Parker Fulghum, Kenny Krogh, Cecilia Morales, Liam Orr, Mollie Passacantando, Elaina Phalen, Sheridan Phalen, James Piland, and Emily Walzl!
We’ve won seven IM Invitationals, including five in the last seven years.
Three teams did not lose a relay race – the 11-12 girls, the 13-14 girls, and the 15-18 girls. Overall, the Gators won 38 of 60 relays this year – a .633 winning percentage and better than we did 2 years ago when we went undefeated!
We sent twelve teams to All-Stars, finishing 9th overall – out of 102 teams. We were seeded 20th in the league.
Oh, and yes, MVP scored 230 points in that meet. We finished far ahead of – oh, let’s pick some random pools – Mansion House, Waynewood, Riverside Gardens, and Stratford.
I’d like Nick Dupuis to come up here. Two years ago, Nick was the only Gator boy to set a team record. This year, he’s got company. Please come up when I call your name: Recognition of NVSL record setters – Cassidy Bayer set the backstroke, butterfly, and IM records for NVSL. Also three National Age Group records – 11-12 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly. Joining Cassidy on an NVSL record relay were Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, and Elaina Phalen
Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecelia Morales, Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker, Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Leigh Orleans.
Overall, 18 new team records were set by 15 girls and 14 boys.
Divisonal Championships were held today at Hunt Valley. Stat Boy did some complicated math – Gators took 21.5% of top six places, when the average team should take 16.6% – which means MVP swimmers overperformed the average by 30%.
Four new team records were set today.
We had 13 swims go under last year’s All-Star cut, and bunch who are on the bubble. The cut DOES change, so let’s hope they all make it.
Hey Now, We've Got All-Stars!
MVP is sending 12 Gators to All-Stars for 16 swims:
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free -- 2nd Alternate
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 50 free & 100 IM -- 5th seed and 15th seed
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 50 free -- 16th seed
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 50 back -- 16th seed
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 50 back -- 18th seed
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 50 back -- 17th seed
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 50 back and fly -- 11th seed and 10th seed
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 50 breaststroke -- 4th seed and 3rd seed
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 16th seed
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 10th seed
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 50 fly and 100 IM -- 1st seed in both
Emma Jones -- 11-12 50 fly -- 15th seed.
Having five boys qualify for Individual All-Stars is a modern day Gator record! Congrats to all MVP All-Stars.
Cassidy Bayer has scratched her swims because she is participating this weekend in the SuperSectionals in Buffalo. (A trip to Buffalo is quite a prize for being the fastest 11-12 girl butterfly swimmer in American history!).
Good luck on Saturday to all our All-Stars who will be swimming at Waynewood (which is like Buffalo, but closer!).
(Just kidding -- both Buffalo and Waynewood are nice places, you know, all things considered.)
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free -- 2nd Alternate
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 50 free & 100 IM -- 5th seed and 15th seed
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 50 free -- 16th seed
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 50 back -- 16th seed
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 50 back -- 18th seed
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 50 back -- 17th seed
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 50 back and fly -- 11th seed and 10th seed
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 50 breaststroke -- 4th seed and 3rd seed
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 16th seed
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 10th seed
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 50 fly and 100 IM -- 1st seed in both
Emma Jones -- 11-12 50 fly -- 15th seed.
Having five boys qualify for Individual All-Stars is a modern day Gator record! Congrats to all MVP All-Stars.
Cassidy Bayer has scratched her swims because she is participating this weekend in the SuperSectionals in Buffalo. (A trip to Buffalo is quite a prize for being the fastest 11-12 girl butterfly swimmer in American history!).
Good luck on Saturday to all our All-Stars who will be swimming at Waynewood (which is like Buffalo, but closer!).
(Just kidding -- both Buffalo and Waynewood are nice places, you know, all things considered.)
Four New Team Records, Two New NVSL Records Set At Divisionals
Four new team records were set at Divisionals, including two NVSL records (see related post below). Nick Dupuis's freestyle actually tied a record from 1967 -- he hopes to take it out on Saturday at All-Stars.
With appreciation to Karen Stein for keeping track of all this:
If any records are broken at All-Stars, this posting will be updated. For now, your new Gator team records and record setters!:
With appreciation to Karen Stein for keeping track of all this:
- Girls, 11-12 50M Butterfly, Cassidy Bayer bettered her NVSL Record time of 28.74 from 7 Jul 12 with a new time of 28.49.
- Girls 11-12 100M IM, Cassidy Bayer broke the NVSL Record with a time of 1:06.78. The old record was from 7/26/2008 held by Janet Hu with a time of 1:07.81. The old team record was held by Cassidy from Monday's IM Invitational (7/23) was also the IM Invitational Record with a time of 1:07.59.
- Girls 15-18 50M Backstroke, Sara Bertram, new time 31.59. Sara held the record from 14 Jul 12 with a time of 32.13.
- Boys 9-10 50M Freestyle, Nick Dupuis, tied the current record from 1967 held by Bill Richardson with a time of 33.00.
If any records are broken at All-Stars, this posting will be updated. For now, your new Gator team records and record setters!:
2012 New MVP Gator Swim Team Records
Boys 8&Under 100M Medley Relay-1:39.62-Kenneth Krogh,
Will Friedman, Charlie Ruppe, James Piland
Boys 8&Under 100M Free Relay-1:16.91-James Piland,
George Pacious, Connor Dunn, Charlie Ruppe
Boys 9-10 50M Freestyle-33.00-Nick Dupuis (Tied with 1967 Record
by Bill Richardson)
Boys 11-12 50M Backstroke-34.21-Cameron Morey
Boys 11-12 100M Medley Relay-1:08.04-Cameron Morey,
Sean Jansen, Cole Miller, Samuel McBroom
Boys 11-12 100M Free Relay-1:00.78-Cameron Morey, Sean Jansen,
Samuel McBroom, Dom Heratsch
Boys 13-14 50M Backstroke-31.96-Kevin Adams-Mardi
Boys 18&Under Mixed Age 200M Free Relay-1:59.91-Cameron Morey,
Nicholas Dupuis, Kevin Adams-Mardi, Cyrus Adams-Mardi
Girls 8&Under 100M Medley Relay-1:29.55-Cage Theriot,
Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecelia Morales
Girls 11-12 50M Freestyle-27.36-Cassidy Bayer (NVSL Record)
Girls 11-12 50M Backstroke-31.55-Cassidy Bayer
Girls 11-12 50M Butterfly-28.49-Cassidy Bayer (NVSL Record)
Girls 11-12 100M IM-1:06.78-Cassidy Bayer (NVSL Record)
Girls 11-12 100M Medley Relay-1:01.80-Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen (NVSL Relay Carnival Record)
Girls 11-12 100M Free Relay-55.97-Holly Jansen, Emma Jones,
Elaina Phalen, Cassidy Bayer
Girls 13-14 100M Medley Relay-1:03.05-Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones,
Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker
Girls 15-18 50M Backstroke-31.59-Sara Bertram
Girls 15-18 200M Medley Relay-2:10.87-Sara Bertram,
Jayne Orleans, Cassidy Bayer, Leigh Orleans
Banquet & Divisional Haiku
Gator land party.
More records set this season.
All Stars, all fun, sleep.
More records set this season.
All Stars, all fun, sleep.
One Divisionals, Two Swimmers, Four NVSL Records
Rita Bertram had the great PR sense to snap swimming sensations Cassidy Bayer (MVP Gator) and Janet Hu (Mosby Woods Raiders) after their stunning swims on Saturday. The two broke four NVSL records -- including Cassidy breaking one of Janet's (see related post). Anyhow, great pic that in four/eight years might end up on national TV.
These two set the only NVSL records on Saturday -- so Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be.
Here's the blurb from the NVSL website -- it has all the details:
Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be for Divisionals if you wanted to witness NVSL records. There, at the Division 4 Individual Championships on July 28, Mount Vernon Park's Cassidy Bayer and Mosby Woods' Janet Hu put on an incredible show. Cassidy started things off in the girls 11-12 50 meter butterfly with a time of 28.49, bettering the record of 28.74 she set on July 7. Cassidy then followed that up by recording a 1:06.78 in the girls 11-12 100 meter IM, shattering Janet's record of 1:07.81 set in 2008. But just as soon as she lost one record Janet obtained another, swimming an amazing 26.27 in the girls 15-18 50 meter freestyle which broke the record of 26.42 set by Kings Ridge's Amanda Kendall in 2009. And finally, Janet broke her own record in the 15-18 girls 50 meter backstroke with a time of 28.52, eclipsing the mark of 28.98 set at Hunt Valley on July 5. Awesome performances Cassidy and Janet!
These two set the only NVSL records on Saturday -- so Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be.
Here's the blurb from the NVSL website -- it has all the details:
Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be for Divisionals if you wanted to witness NVSL records. There, at the Division 4 Individual Championships on July 28, Mount Vernon Park's Cassidy Bayer and Mosby Woods' Janet Hu put on an incredible show. Cassidy started things off in the girls 11-12 50 meter butterfly with a time of 28.49, bettering the record of 28.74 she set on July 7. Cassidy then followed that up by recording a 1:06.78 in the girls 11-12 100 meter IM, shattering Janet's record of 1:07.81 set in 2008. But just as soon as she lost one record Janet obtained another, swimming an amazing 26.27 in the girls 15-18 50 meter freestyle which broke the record of 26.42 set by Kings Ridge's Amanda Kendall in 2009. And finally, Janet broke her own record in the 15-18 girls 50 meter backstroke with a time of 28.52, eclipsing the mark of 28.98 set at Hunt Valley on July 5. Awesome performances Cassidy and Janet!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Coach Paul's Car -- 2012
The assistant coaches have continued their annual reign of terror against the despotic head coach. This year's edition included peanut butter on the inside of the door handles (it's a car! it's a tasty treat!), toilet paper and string booby-trapping the inside, and post-it notes. The beer cans tied on the back came from MVP recycle bins -- it appears the park membership is keeping the cheap domestic beer industry in business.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thoughts on the Tragedy
Four years ago on July 27th, 2008, Mark Fracasso died in an accident. Mark was a Gator swimmer, a tennis player on the MVP team, a lifeguard, and a pool rat who spent many hours at the Park that is our second home in the summer. His youngest sister, Anna, is on the Gators, his mom, Michele, is our Chief Marshal (wearing the orange vest), his dad is a former Park President, his brother a former Gator, and his sister was a Gator and then an assistant park manager for several years this summer. This is an article written on July 28, 2008 for the Gator website, with comments from other MVPers, about Mark, and has run each year since. We continue to hold the Fracasso family in our hearts and minds.
As long as I am involved with the Gators, I hope to honor the Mark and his family with this remembrance. I ask that the parents of younger kids who do not know the Fracassos read this as well -- it offers a good reminder on how precious life, and life events like MVP swim, are.
Your first reaction upon hearing the news is as though someone punched you in the gut. Then there is the hopeful thought -- well, maybe that information is not quite right and there is some hope. But then, when it becomes clear that the news about Mark Fracasso is the worst possible, you are stunned into shock and tears.
For some people the tears are deep and heaving. For others, it's more of the glistening eyes (that's more for us "tough" guys).
A young life extinguished because of a split second. There was no alcohol, no drugs. Just bad luck. The worst. The "what ifs" aren't worth it. We're not Superman -- we can't make the Earth spin backs to change time.
I know what you are thinking. I'm thinking it too. No parent should have to bury their son or daughter. This isn't fair, and this isn't how life is supposed to be. Especially for a 15 year old boy who was it in for the fun. Now, I can't say I knew Mark well -- that's not the case. But I do know two things about him.
The first thing I knew about him is that I noticed that he had this sly grin on his face every time he was on the pool deck with the race about to start. It's like he knew -- "okay, I may not be the fastest, but I'm here for fun." Mark always struck me as having a smile on his face -- which is the sign of a happy, positive attitude about life. Which, after all, is the only one to have. . .but's it's also okay -- even important -- to have an interregnum for a mourning period like this.
The other thing I know about Mark is that we all feel for his parents. I'm a much better man for the years I've spent raising children. Every parent reading this knows that what they are going through is the single biggest fear that a parent can have -- and for one of our community, that fear has been realized in the worst possible way. Mark and Michele will never have the satisfaction of watching Mark grow into adulthood -- which has its own set of challenges, responsibilities, and thrills.
Life is precious. Life doesn't have to always be fun, doesn't always have to be an adventure. But, there is beauty in the everyday. Sunday morning, unaware that Mark was fighting for life, Tom Hickok and I were watching the kids rise from their chaise lounges at the sleepover, groggy after just a few hours of sleep. Tom, nursing a cup of coffee, turned to me with a simple declarative sentence that made me appreciate the day even more -- "MVP really is a special place." He had just spent the night on the ground with just a sleeping bag and no tent, and yet he was appreciating the life we are living.
Kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them.
A few years ago, a song came out by Kenny Chesney about the pain of losing someone young in your life. Sometimes song lyrics can be over the top, but this one hits the emotion that Michele and Mark, and their children Ali, Matthew, and Anna, will always have:
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?
Again, kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them. Parents, when you see Mark and Michele, it's okay to hug them. Life isn't simple, but it is precious.
**************
As long as I am involved with the Gators, I hope to honor the Mark and his family with this remembrance. I ask that the parents of younger kids who do not know the Fracassos read this as well -- it offers a good reminder on how precious life, and life events like MVP swim, are.
Your first reaction upon hearing the news is as though someone punched you in the gut. Then there is the hopeful thought -- well, maybe that information is not quite right and there is some hope. But then, when it becomes clear that the news about Mark Fracasso is the worst possible, you are stunned into shock and tears.
For some people the tears are deep and heaving. For others, it's more of the glistening eyes (that's more for us "tough" guys).
A young life extinguished because of a split second. There was no alcohol, no drugs. Just bad luck. The worst. The "what ifs" aren't worth it. We're not Superman -- we can't make the Earth spin backs to change time.
I know what you are thinking. I'm thinking it too. No parent should have to bury their son or daughter. This isn't fair, and this isn't how life is supposed to be. Especially for a 15 year old boy who was it in for the fun. Now, I can't say I knew Mark well -- that's not the case. But I do know two things about him.
The first thing I knew about him is that I noticed that he had this sly grin on his face every time he was on the pool deck with the race about to start. It's like he knew -- "okay, I may not be the fastest, but I'm here for fun." Mark always struck me as having a smile on his face -- which is the sign of a happy, positive attitude about life. Which, after all, is the only one to have. . .but's it's also okay -- even important -- to have an interregnum for a mourning period like this.
The other thing I know about Mark is that we all feel for his parents. I'm a much better man for the years I've spent raising children. Every parent reading this knows that what they are going through is the single biggest fear that a parent can have -- and for one of our community, that fear has been realized in the worst possible way. Mark and Michele will never have the satisfaction of watching Mark grow into adulthood -- which has its own set of challenges, responsibilities, and thrills.
Life is precious. Life doesn't have to always be fun, doesn't always have to be an adventure. But, there is beauty in the everyday. Sunday morning, unaware that Mark was fighting for life, Tom Hickok and I were watching the kids rise from their chaise lounges at the sleepover, groggy after just a few hours of sleep. Tom, nursing a cup of coffee, turned to me with a simple declarative sentence that made me appreciate the day even more -- "MVP really is a special place." He had just spent the night on the ground with just a sleeping bag and no tent, and yet he was appreciating the life we are living.
Kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them.
A few years ago, a song came out by Kenny Chesney about the pain of losing someone young in your life. Sometimes song lyrics can be over the top, but this one hits the emotion that Michele and Mark, and their children Ali, Matthew, and Anna, will always have:
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?
Again, kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them. Parents, when you see Mark and Michele, it's okay to hug them. Life isn't simple, but it is precious.
**************
Recently while I have not been as involved as in the past, I have never forgotten the great sense of village we have here at our special place quietly tucked a short distance from another world. You and many others have continued to allow our kids to grow up and develop in this somewhat protected world.
In most respects Michele and I are very blessed. Mark on that fateful day unfortunately was not so lucky.
So last evening, when you chose to write about Mark we both were so very touched and grateful at your willingness to use your talent to help us, that is all of us, begin the long healing process. Providing this forum and the vigil tonight will go a long way to allow us all to join again together as a village to celebrate life Mark s life.
And so in closing, we so want to thank you and let you know from our hearts that while perhaps you did not know Mark as we his parents, you really do know Mark and have captured his spirit in your article.
Tonight we will come together in our special place and I ll be looking for my hug. Thank you and we both also want to thank the Mount Vernon community.
Mark& Michele
****************
****************
I would just like to say I am soooo sorry for the Fracasso's loss. Words can not describe the heaviness that we all feel for them. They will be in our prayers!!
Love, Teresa, Bill, Kate and Natalie
*************
Cindy
*************
Love, Teresa, Bill, Kate and Natalie
*************
The Laporta family is deeply saddened by the Fracasso's tragic loss. As part of our amazing Gator family, Mark was wonderful to Peter over the years and will be desperately missed. The Fracasso's are in our prayers.
*************
Perhaps readers will be comforted by this excerpt of a message sent to St Mary s altar boys by Fr John DeCelles, the priest who administered the sacrament of the sick to Mark early Sunday morning:
Death is a very difficult thing to bear, especially the death of someone we know, or are close to. Particularly the death of a young person so filled with hope and great prospects as Mark was. But as the funeral ritual says: for those who love the Lord, life is changed, not ended. This is what our faith comes down to: life on earth is great, but the love of God and the joy of heaven are what we re made ultimately for. Mark s death should remind us all that God calls us home when He chooses, not when we choose. We need to be ready when he calls not afraid, because God loves us, but ready. We need to live everyday with our eyes on heaven again not with fear but filled with hope and joy, trying to be the very best we can everyday so we can love each other here and live forever in perfect happiness with God, and with each other, in heaven.
Mary
**************
(This) tribute is a beautiful reflection of someone I have loved for many years and watched grow in so many different ways. His smile is a signature that I too often cannot help recalling when I think of him. I will treasure it always.
**************
(This) tribute is a beautiful reflection of someone I have loved for many years and watched grow in so many different ways. His smile is a signature that I too often cannot help recalling when I think of him. I will treasure it always.
Thank you-Jean
**************
***************
On Sunday morning I was going about my usual business here in Salisbury
and I received a phone call from my dad. When he told he had some bad
news I was thinking, maybe we aren t going to the outer banks anymore ,
never in a million years did I think I was going to hear what I heard.
He told me the news about Mark being in the hospital and I had to sit
down. I was in shock. For the next two hours I walked around in a daze.
I kept hoping that the news wasn t true, and if the news was true, I
kept praying that everything would be alright. I was dreading that final
phone call with the worst possible news.
Mark Fracasso and my brother were good friends and partners in
crime every summer at Mount Vernon Park. I can t even count how many
times I would hear my brother say can we go pick up Mark? , and for the
rest of that day I d be keeping tabs on the two boys making sure they
didn t get into too much trouble. It was like every summer I gained a
new little brother. Hearing that my own brother was devastated by the
loss of his friend, who he had just hung out with two days before, and
that he was planning to ask Mark to spend a week in the Outer Banks with
us the next time he saw him, made me twist and turn inside.
It is unreal that a life can be lost so young. To think of the
other Fracasso children and Marks friends who are dealing with the loss
at such a young age is an experience no child should have to go through.
Only being twenty, I am not a parent myself, but I am old enough to know
that the loss of a child is one of, if not the most, heartbreaking
things a parent would ever have to experience. You read things like this
in the paper but you never think it will hit this close to home. Of all
families this had to happen to it hurts that it was the Fracasso family.
When a tragedy like this happens, one can t help but wonder,
Why him, he s so young? For those of us that believe in Karma and
that everything happens for a reason , it makes you wonder, Well, what
exactly is the reason for this? As much as we would all like to know
the answer to these questions it s something we will never know. The
only thing we can do is try our best to be there for each other and try
to help younger members of the community understand what happened. The
Gator family has lost more than a swimmer, but a brother, son and friend
who is irreplaceable.
Ryann Doyle
*******************
**************
If we are lucky in life, we get to meet someone like Mark Fracasso, Jr. at least once. A young boy with a free spirit and a twinkle in his eye. Full of energy, quizzing the world about its limits, challenging the competitive edge with a smile. We look at these boys with marvel, because we instinctively know we are watching a leader prepare for a purpose that we have yet to understand.
We often think that leadership will be demonstrated later in life, in those adult years when we assume the world needs it. But sometimes, these free spirits are only here for a short time, a blink of time in God's eye. They are here to teach us how to live each day with joy in our own hearts. Much like a bright star in the sky, we wonder at the sparkle, and are awed and forever grateful for the opportunity to see it shine. We are all blessed to have that brief moment with Mark Fracasso, Jr.
The Bourne Family wishes to express our love and prayers to the Fracasso Family. Thank you for letting Mark shine.
***************
On Sunday morning I was going about my usual business here in Salisbury
and I received a phone call from my dad. When he told he had some bad
news I was thinking, maybe we aren t going to the outer banks anymore ,
never in a million years did I think I was going to hear what I heard.
He told me the news about Mark being in the hospital and I had to sit
down. I was in shock. For the next two hours I walked around in a daze.
I kept hoping that the news wasn t true, and if the news was true, I
kept praying that everything would be alright. I was dreading that final
phone call with the worst possible news.
Mark Fracasso and my brother were good friends and partners in
crime every summer at Mount Vernon Park. I can t even count how many
times I would hear my brother say can we go pick up Mark? , and for the
rest of that day I d be keeping tabs on the two boys making sure they
didn t get into too much trouble. It was like every summer I gained a
new little brother. Hearing that my own brother was devastated by the
loss of his friend, who he had just hung out with two days before, and
that he was planning to ask Mark to spend a week in the Outer Banks with
us the next time he saw him, made me twist and turn inside.
It is unreal that a life can be lost so young. To think of the
other Fracasso children and Marks friends who are dealing with the loss
at such a young age is an experience no child should have to go through.
Only being twenty, I am not a parent myself, but I am old enough to know
that the loss of a child is one of, if not the most, heartbreaking
things a parent would ever have to experience. You read things like this
in the paper but you never think it will hit this close to home. Of all
families this had to happen to it hurts that it was the Fracasso family.
When a tragedy like this happens, one can t help but wonder,
Why him, he s so young? For those of us that believe in Karma and
that everything happens for a reason , it makes you wonder, Well, what
exactly is the reason for this? As much as we would all like to know
the answer to these questions it s something we will never know. The
only thing we can do is try our best to be there for each other and try
to help younger members of the community understand what happened. The
Gator family has lost more than a swimmer, but a brother, son and friend
who is irreplaceable.
Ryann Doyle
*******************
It was the most wonderful day. A hot, bright high summer afternoon. Many Gator families present and congenial, some working the divisional championship meet, some taking a rare day off. Everyone enjoying the great competition provided by a slippery pool and well trained swimmers intent on posting their best times. And then, after a fabulous meet, spilling back into our very own elysian fields to honor those who worked hard and swam fast. Every year I enjoy the awards banquet so much I start feeling wistful even before it ends.
This year, as I looked out at the tree canopy line turning dark after sunset, I felt even stronger. This really was the most wonderful day, the best year for our team. So many good swimmers. So many good kids. So many new swimmers, and with them great families, new friends. A large group of parents who are now so used to working together, we re like an old married couple. (like an old married couple?) Just like the machine of a family that can get Thanksgiving dinner for 20 on the table with aplomb on Monday nights and Saturday mornings we set up a meet, put on the meet, serve a meal for dozens, break it all down into neat folded parcels and plastic storage containers and still manage a few jokes and good camaraderie before heading home. Heck, we even won the Miss Congeniality award from our fellow Division 6 teams! As I sat there with children prancing around me I thought we are all, collectively, doing something right by our kids.
This year, as I looked out at the tree canopy line turning dark after sunset, I felt even stronger. This really was the most wonderful day, the best year for our team. So many good swimmers. So many good kids. So many new swimmers, and with them great families, new friends. A large group of parents who are now so used to working together, we re like an old married couple. (like an old married couple?) Just like the machine of a family that can get Thanksgiving dinner for 20 on the table with aplomb on Monday nights and Saturday mornings we set up a meet, put on the meet, serve a meal for dozens, break it all down into neat folded parcels and plastic storage containers and still manage a few jokes and good camaraderie before heading home. Heck, we even won the Miss Congeniality award from our fellow Division 6 teams! As I sat there with children prancing around me I thought we are all, collectively, doing something right by our kids.
Saturday was the most wonderful day. Except we now know it really wasn t. At the same time I was looking at the treeline turn dark, Mark Fracasso - one of our most precious our children! - was slipping away and through the grace of those who knew, we were able to sit with our warm and happy thoughts through the night, even though the most unthinkable thing was happening. Those who knew, allowed those of us who didn t, to fully inhale the beauty of a summer night, becoming fortified maybe for what we would discover the next day.
Here s what I know: the Fracasso family is an amazing family. I don t know every member of their family, but I know Michele, and she is part of that collective married couple that we have become at Mount Vernon Park, she is strong, she is a calm and mirthful tour de force. Michele is a person you can count on. And for Michele, and Mark, Ali, Matthew and Anna we have counted on you, and now you can count on us. Even on what appears to be the most beautiful day, the stirring of tragedy will build and erupt. And conversely on the most awful days, the most awful days like today, the beginnings of hope can, well, at least begin.
My hope is that we, along with the many other friends, schoolmates and family members of the Fracasso family, can knit ourselves into a security blanket to help them through the times to come.
Lisa Guide
*********************
Lisa Guide
*********************
| Hi I am Peter, a good friend of Mark, and I saw that we could share good times evern humorous times with Mark. This was the first that came to my mind right away: It was after school and Mark, Richard Pastorino, and myself went to seven eleven and went into the store. Richard had got a drink but decided he didn't want it so he put it back. The people that worked at the store had noticed that Richard took the drink but never saw him put it back. So while we walk out of the store the workers had approached us 3 saying that we hid the drink and stole it. They searched the 3 of us but when Mark got searched he "made sure" they knew he had not stolen anything. Mark freely and comfortably starts stripping his shirt, yelling" Do you believe me now" then the people agreed with MArk. But of course Mark would not ended just like that, he had to make sure he left his "MARK" at 7/11. He started taking his pants of and stripped himself down to just his boxers. Everyonne even the workers were laughing so hard and Mark was happy because he made a point and was still able to make people laugh like he always did. I Loved Mark. He was a great person and a great friend. R.I.P. ************ |
I Am Waiting for You
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play; smile; think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one with Christ in heaven.
Matt O'Brien
**************
We are so sad and sorry to hear about Mark's death. The Fracasso family will be in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks to come.
Teresa, Scott, Andrew, Jessica, and Matthew Taylor
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play; smile; think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one with Christ in heaven.
Matt O'Brien
**************
We are so sad and sorry to hear about Mark's death. The Fracasso family will be in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks to come.
Teresa, Scott, Andrew, Jessica, and Matthew Taylor
Directions to Hunt Valley
7100 Sydenstricker Road
Springfield, VA
Take the Fairfax County Parkway to the Sydenstricker Road exit. Stay on Sydenstricker Road till reaching Hunt Valley swim club. Right across from Hunt Valley Elementary School.
Parking is available at the school and on the street. Please do not block driveways or fire hydrants.
Springfield, VA
Take the Fairfax County Parkway to the Sydenstricker Road exit. Stay on Sydenstricker Road till reaching Hunt Valley swim club. Right across from Hunt Valley Elementary School.
Parking is available at the school and on the street. Please do not block driveways or fire hydrants.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Gators Dominate IM Invitational, Take Home Another Trophy
In the history books, this era in swimming will be remembered for the Mt.Vernon Park Gators having won four out of the last five IM Invitational trophies in the powerhouse Colonial Division, and for Michael Phelps (not necessarily in that order).
The Gators were dominant, beating local rivals Mansion House, Waynewood, and Riverside Gardens by 147 to 91, 84, and 68 points respectively.
Cassidy Bayer set a new IM Invitational (and team) record by swimming a blistering 1:07.59, smashing her own meet record (1:10.36) of last year. Cassidy's time would have set a new NVSL record, but the IM Invitational is not a league-sanctioned event.
The IM Invitational is run two ways -- first, there is the overall event. However, the teams are divided into three divisions -- the Colonial Division (four teams), the Minuteman Division (four teams), and the Patriot Division (five teams). The Colonial Division consists of the four largest teams (including MVP), the Minuteman Division is in the middle, and the Patriot Division are smaller teams. The top eight finishers on teams from each division get points for their team.
Cassidy was the only overall event winning Gator, although Charlie Ruppe took second in the 8 & under fly, Emily Makin did the same on the girls side, Nick Dupuis took second in the 9-10 boys IM, Holly Jansen finished second in the 11-12 girls IM, and Anna Fracasso got second in the 13-14 girls IM.
Because of advancements in how they are keeping score, this is the first year that results by division are available. So, even if a Gator did not win the overall event, if they were the fastest in the Colonial Division, they earned 10 points. Second place is worth 8, while third is worth 6, and then it drops one point per place through eighth place. In an effort to keep dominant teams from running away with the meet, a team can only have three swimmers in an event score points.
So, for the Colonial Division, here are your Gator point scorers:
Thus, three Gator swimmers scored points in eight of the ten events, using their speed and depth to score the crushing victory.
The Gators were dominant, beating local rivals Mansion House, Waynewood, and Riverside Gardens by 147 to 91, 84, and 68 points respectively.
Cassidy Bayer set a new IM Invitational (and team) record by swimming a blistering 1:07.59, smashing her own meet record (1:10.36) of last year. Cassidy's time would have set a new NVSL record, but the IM Invitational is not a league-sanctioned event.
The IM Invitational is run two ways -- first, there is the overall event. However, the teams are divided into three divisions -- the Colonial Division (four teams), the Minuteman Division (four teams), and the Patriot Division (five teams). The Colonial Division consists of the four largest teams (including MVP), the Minuteman Division is in the middle, and the Patriot Division are smaller teams. The top eight finishers on teams from each division get points for their team.
Cassidy was the only overall event winning Gator, although Charlie Ruppe took second in the 8 & under fly, Emily Makin did the same on the girls side, Nick Dupuis took second in the 9-10 boys IM, Holly Jansen finished second in the 11-12 girls IM, and Anna Fracasso got second in the 13-14 girls IM.
Because of advancements in how they are keeping score, this is the first year that results by division are available. So, even if a Gator did not win the overall event, if they were the fastest in the Colonial Division, they earned 10 points. Second place is worth 8, while third is worth 6, and then it drops one point per place through eighth place. In an effort to keep dominant teams from running away with the meet, a team can only have three swimmers in an event score points.
So, for the Colonial Division, here are your Gator point scorers:
- Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under fly, 10 points
- George Pacious -- 8 & under fly, 4 points
- James Piland -- 8 & under fly, 1 point
- Emily Makin -- 8 & under fly, 8 points
- Cage Theriot -- 8 & under fly, 6 points
- Grace McGee -- 8 & under fly, 5 points
- Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 IM, 10 points
- Brian McNamara -- 9-10 IM, 5 points
- Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 IM, 4 points
- Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 IM, 8 points
- Taylor Makin -- 9-10 IM, 4 points
- Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 IM, 3 points
- Sean Jansen -- 11-12 IM, 8 points
- Sam McBroom -- 11-12 IM, 3 points
- Collin Sundsted -- 11-12 IM, 1 point
- Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 IM, 10 points
- Holly Jansen -- 11-12 IM, 8 points
- Emma Jones -- 11-12 IM, 5 points
- Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 IM, 6 points
- Tristan Colaizzi -- 13-14 IM, 3 points
- Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 IM, 10 points
- Emily Walzl -- 13-14 IM, 6 points
- Torie Bolger -- 13-14 IM, 5 points
- Cyrus Adams-Mardi -- 15-18 IM, 3 points
- Sara Bertram - 15-18 IM, 6 points
- Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 IM, 3 points
- Leigh Orleans -- 15-18 IM, 2 points
Thus, three Gator swimmers scored points in eight of the ten events, using their speed and depth to score the crushing victory.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Thunder and Delay. . .Riverside!
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water … you hear thunder at the Riverside Gardens B meet. Again. Seems to happen every year.
But the first rain delay of the year did not dampen the spirits of the Gators this past Monday night. Numerous personal bests were set -- some in the dark.
Those swimmers knocking off more than 3 seconds off their best times this late in the season were: Jack Klopson, William Mochel, Jack Dupuis, (5 year old) Charlie Bruce, (5 year old) George Schulte, Lily Palmerino, Lilana Fore, Mikayla Gordon, (4 year old) Charlotte Fischer, Maddie Cullo, Natalie Terwilliger, Sammy Anderson, Russell Dale, Ceci Morales, and Kelly Riley. Topping the charts was 5 year old Gavin Fore who dropped more than 24 seconds off his 25 free time.
Other 5 year olds in the pool were: Matthew Makin, Will Milito, Ceci Theriot, Jill Humphreys and Elizabeth Whitson.
Heat winners included Donovan Kovalsky, Alex Heurtas, Cameron Mulla, Bella van Damme, Caroline Miller, Natalie Terwilliger, Rachel Skopp-Cardillo, Austin Neal, Nicholas Swetz, Zach Staples, Jack Dupuis, Lily Palmerino, Emily Atkinson, Will Friedman, Bobby Kelly, Isabelle Thornburg, Halen Anderson, Olivia Heck, and Sarah Busch.
Last meet of the season for all those not swimming Divisionals … Romp in the Swamp Wednesday morning, July 25 at MVP
Former Gator Sasha DiGiulian On Cover of Sunday's Post Magazine
Former Gator relay All-Star swimmer Sasha DiGiulian was the feature story in Sunday's Washington Post magazine. Sasha swam with the Gators at Relay All-Stars when she was seven and eight years old and the Gators were only sending one or two teams.
She gave up swimming to concentrate on climbing. Now she is listed as "arguably the best female climber in the world." Apparently that move from swimming to climbing has worked okay out for her. Congrats to another former Gator making her way.
She gave up swimming to concentrate on climbing. Now she is listed as "arguably the best female climber in the world." Apparently that move from swimming to climbing has worked okay out for her. Congrats to another former Gator making her way.
Gators Chow Down On Tuna-Safe Dolphin
The MVP Gators won the final A meet of the season 217.5-202.5 over the Dunn Loring Dolphins. The win pushes the MVP record to 4-1 on the season, meaning that the team has gone 14-6 over the last four years. The victory knocked Dunn Loring to 3-2, giving MVP sole possession of 2nd place in Division 4.
It was a dark and stormy morning. The meet was even delayed for approximately 10-15 minutes because of heavy rain. The temperatures were in the low 70s, causing swimmers to finish and shiver. The Gators toughed out the weather to take a close meet that was tied after event 41, by winning seven of the final eleven relays.
The Gators led 49.5-40.5 after freestyle (yes, there was a tie for 3rd place). Partway through backstroke, the Dolphins took the lead, but the Gators fought back to win back 46-44 and take a 95.5-84.5 lead. Breaststroke was a tie at 45-45, so the Gator lead remained eleven points at 140.5 to 129.5. The Dolphins carved into the Gator in butterfly. The lead fell to five points at 182.5 to 177.5 because MVP lost fly 42-48.
So it all came down to the relays. MVP won seven of the twelve relays to clinch the meet. Five of the relays were decided by less than one second (MVP won three of those).
The only Gator sweep of the day came in the last individual event, as Sara Bertram, Jessica Metter, and Mollie Passacantando finshed first, second, and third to take all nine points.
The race of the week was swum by Sheridan Phalen, who won the 9-10 girls 50 meter freestyle by just 0.19 seconds -- the closest race won by a Gator in this meet.
Gator heroes -- kids who swam up above their age group -- were Mollie Passacantando (a second place in 15-18 free and a third place in 15-18 fly as a 13 year old), Jack Brunton and Tyler Dunn (both 11 and swam backstroke as 13-14s), Kaila Stein (13 years old, swam 15-18 backstroke), and Cassidy Bayer (12 years old, won 13-14 fly).
Double Gator winners were Emily Makin (free and fly), Cassidy Bayer (free and fly), Holly Jansen (back and breaststroke), and Sara Bertram (back and fly).
Individual Gator winners were Nick Dupuis (free), Sheridan Phalen (free), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free), Leigh Orleans (free), Cameron Morey (back), Torie Bolger (back), Juliette Fore (breaststroke), Parker Blondin (breaststroke), Sean Jansen (breaststroke), Tristan Colaizzi (breaststroke), and Charlie Ruppe (fly). The Gators took 19 out of 40 first place finishes. Clearly it was our depth that won the meet, because it is unusual for a team to come up short in the individual first places and yet still take home the victory.
Key second place points were earned by: James Piland (free), Andrei Zaitsev (free and back), Cameron Morey (free), Jessie Bricker (free), Mollie Passacantando (free), Kenny Krogh (back), Cage Theriot (back), Mac Brotherton (back), Kevin Adams-Mardi (back), Anna Fracasso (back), Cyrus Adams-Mardi (back), Sophia Passacantando (back), Charlie Ruppe (breaststroke), Brian McNamara (breaststroke), Sheridan Phalen (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), Jayne Orleans (breaststroke), Mollie Rutherford (fly), Nick Dupuis (fly), Olivia Blondin (fly), Emma Jones (fly), Tristan Colaizzi (fly), and Jessica Metter (fly). The 24 second place finishes helped make the difference between winning and losing.
Earning third place points were Julianna Skopp-Cardillo (she got a half point in free), Emma Jones (free), Nick Ducceschi (free and breaststroke), Torie Bolger (free), Cyrus Adams-Mardi (free), Juliette Fore (back), Parker Fulghum (back), Lily Penn (breaststroke), Sam McBroom (breaststroke), Elaina Phalen (breaststroke and fly), Jack Benson (breaststroke), Parker Blondin (fly), Anna Fracasso (fly), and Mollie Passacantando (fly). The 16 third places equaled 15.5 points out of a possible 40.
The Gators now get ready for Divisional Champs and await their fate in the seeding meeting for next year. Given the closeness of this meet and the dominance of Hunt Valley over the division overall, it is clear (to this unbiased writer) that the Gators should stay in Division 4. (Although, it's not up to us!).
It was a dark and stormy morning. The meet was even delayed for approximately 10-15 minutes because of heavy rain. The temperatures were in the low 70s, causing swimmers to finish and shiver. The Gators toughed out the weather to take a close meet that was tied after event 41, by winning seven of the final eleven relays.
The Gators led 49.5-40.5 after freestyle (yes, there was a tie for 3rd place). Partway through backstroke, the Dolphins took the lead, but the Gators fought back to win back 46-44 and take a 95.5-84.5 lead. Breaststroke was a tie at 45-45, so the Gator lead remained eleven points at 140.5 to 129.5. The Dolphins carved into the Gator in butterfly. The lead fell to five points at 182.5 to 177.5 because MVP lost fly 42-48.
So it all came down to the relays. MVP won seven of the twelve relays to clinch the meet. Five of the relays were decided by less than one second (MVP won three of those).
The only Gator sweep of the day came in the last individual event, as Sara Bertram, Jessica Metter, and Mollie Passacantando finshed first, second, and third to take all nine points.
The race of the week was swum by Sheridan Phalen, who won the 9-10 girls 50 meter freestyle by just 0.19 seconds -- the closest race won by a Gator in this meet.
Gator heroes -- kids who swam up above their age group -- were Mollie Passacantando (a second place in 15-18 free and a third place in 15-18 fly as a 13 year old), Jack Brunton and Tyler Dunn (both 11 and swam backstroke as 13-14s), Kaila Stein (13 years old, swam 15-18 backstroke), and Cassidy Bayer (12 years old, won 13-14 fly).
Double Gator winners were Emily Makin (free and fly), Cassidy Bayer (free and fly), Holly Jansen (back and breaststroke), and Sara Bertram (back and fly).
Individual Gator winners were Nick Dupuis (free), Sheridan Phalen (free), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free), Leigh Orleans (free), Cameron Morey (back), Torie Bolger (back), Juliette Fore (breaststroke), Parker Blondin (breaststroke), Sean Jansen (breaststroke), Tristan Colaizzi (breaststroke), and Charlie Ruppe (fly). The Gators took 19 out of 40 first place finishes. Clearly it was our depth that won the meet, because it is unusual for a team to come up short in the individual first places and yet still take home the victory.
Key second place points were earned by: James Piland (free), Andrei Zaitsev (free and back), Cameron Morey (free), Jessie Bricker (free), Mollie Passacantando (free), Kenny Krogh (back), Cage Theriot (back), Mac Brotherton (back), Kevin Adams-Mardi (back), Anna Fracasso (back), Cyrus Adams-Mardi (back), Sophia Passacantando (back), Charlie Ruppe (breaststroke), Brian McNamara (breaststroke), Sheridan Phalen (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), Jayne Orleans (breaststroke), Mollie Rutherford (fly), Nick Dupuis (fly), Olivia Blondin (fly), Emma Jones (fly), Tristan Colaizzi (fly), and Jessica Metter (fly). The 24 second place finishes helped make the difference between winning and losing.
Earning third place points were Julianna Skopp-Cardillo (she got a half point in free), Emma Jones (free), Nick Ducceschi (free and breaststroke), Torie Bolger (free), Cyrus Adams-Mardi (free), Juliette Fore (back), Parker Fulghum (back), Lily Penn (breaststroke), Sam McBroom (breaststroke), Elaina Phalen (breaststroke and fly), Jack Benson (breaststroke), Parker Blondin (fly), Anna Fracasso (fly), and Mollie Passacantando (fly). The 16 third places equaled 15.5 points out of a possible 40.
The Gators now get ready for Divisional Champs and await their fate in the seeding meeting for next year. Given the closeness of this meet and the dominance of Hunt Valley over the division overall, it is clear (to this unbiased writer) that the Gators should stay in Division 4. (Although, it's not up to us!).
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Dunn Loring Photos Dried Out and Posted
The pics from the Dunn Loring meet are up on my Picasa site. This is the first time I've used my new Nikon D-5100. The colors may be a little too saturated but there are times when the shot came together so well it justifies the new purchase!
Under All-Star Cuts
Whoops -- I debuted a new weekly feature and then forgot to follow it up. Anyhow, with Saturday's weather conditions, there were not a ton of All-Star cuts, but there were some and they are worth noting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3lshY4PwI4&feature=fvwrel
(Caution note to parents: Making All-Stars only occurs at Divisional Champs. The cut line does move year-to-year -- so next Saturday is the key day.)
- Emily Makin (free and fly)
- Nick Dupuis (free)
- Cameron Morey (free and back)
- Cassidy Bayer (free and fly)
- Holly Jansen (back and breaststroke)
- Kevin Adams-Mardi (back)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3lshY4PwI4&feature=fvwrel
(Caution note to parents: Making All-Stars only occurs at Divisional Champs. The cut line does move year-to-year -- so next Saturday is the key day.)
Swimmers of the Week: 13-14 Boys, and 11-12 Girls Relays
It turned into relays week for Swimmers of the Week, and the 13-14 boys relay and 11-12 girls relays earned the honors.
The 13-14 boys essentially clinched the meet against Dunn Loring by winning a tight battle and ensuring that the meet would not come down to the last race (which the Gators won anyhow for some insurance points). The boys team of Kevin Adams-Mardi (back), Nick Ducceschi (breaststroke), Tristan Colaizzi (fly), and Tom Dupuis (free) won their race by 0.53 second, which is very close in a 100 yard relay.
The 11-12 girls relay teams for medley and free earned the honors by finishing first in both of their races in Relay All-Stars, lowering their NVSL record and setting two new team records. The medley team of Cassidy Bayer (back), Holly Jansen (breaststroke), Emma Jones (fly), and Elaina Phalen (free) also swam free in that same order.
Congratulations to all of this season's Swimmers of the Week.
The 13-14 boys essentially clinched the meet against Dunn Loring by winning a tight battle and ensuring that the meet would not come down to the last race (which the Gators won anyhow for some insurance points). The boys team of Kevin Adams-Mardi (back), Nick Ducceschi (breaststroke), Tristan Colaizzi (fly), and Tom Dupuis (free) won their race by 0.53 second, which is very close in a 100 yard relay.
The 11-12 girls relay teams for medley and free earned the honors by finishing first in both of their races in Relay All-Stars, lowering their NVSL record and setting two new team records. The medley team of Cassidy Bayer (back), Holly Jansen (breaststroke), Emma Jones (fly), and Elaina Phalen (free) also swam free in that same order.
Congratulations to all of this season's Swimmers of the Week.
Nine New Team Records In Last Three Meets
I have been remiss in getting around to noting new Gator team records and even a new NVSL record!
While the score of the Hunt Valley meet certainly was not what Gator fans were hoping for, there were four new team records set that day. It started out as a quiet meet, with just one individual record falling, but once the 13-14 girls hit the water, it triggered a run of three new team records out of four straight events. Thanks to Karen Stein's organization and record-keeping, here are the four marks set that morning:
- 15-18 Girls 50M Backstroke. Sara Bertram broke her own record from 23 Jul 11. Old time 32.22, new time 32.13.
- 13-14 Girls 100 M Med. Relay. Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker, 1:03.05. Old record from 18 Jul 09, Maddy Bolger, Sophia Passacantando, Sara Bertram, Leigh Orleans with time of 1:03.37.
- 15-18 Girls 200M Med. Relay. Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Cassidy Bayer, Leigh Orleans. New time 2.:10.87. Old time from last year, 23 Jul 11 with 2:11.38 with Julia Bolger, Sophia Passacantando, Sara Bertram, Maddy Bolger. Note: Cassidy was swimming up and Gators allow records to be broken in relays if someone is swimming up.
- Boys 18 & Under Mixed Age Relay. 200M Free. Cameron Morey, Nick Dupuis, Kevin Adams-Mardi and Cyrus Adams-Mardi shaved more than half a second off their record from 30 Jun 12. Old time 2:01.50, new time 1:59.91.
- Girls 8 & Under 100 M Medley Relay. This is a new event this year and they broke their own record set on 11 Jul 12 at Div. Relays. New time 1:29.55, old time 1:30.31. Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecilia Morales.
- Girls 11-12 100M Medley Relay. Broke their own record from 11 Jul 12 (Div. relays). Old time 1:01.83, new time 1:01.80. Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen. They broke the NVSL record at Divisionals and lowered it at All Stars.
- Girls 11-12 100M Free Relay. Broke their own record from 11 Jul 12 (Div. Relays). Old time 56.55, new time 55.97. Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Cassidy Bayer. They missed tieing the NVSL record by 0.07, and missed breaking it by 0.08.
- Boys 8 & Under 100M Free Relay. James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn and Charlie Ruppe. New time 1:16.91. Old record was from 1990 with time of 1:17.52 with Nick Bailey, Drew Dinsick, James Carlson and Kurt Gron.
Congrats to those rewriting the record books -- a pretty common occurence these days at MVP.
Directions to Little Hunting Park (IM Invitational)
From MVP:
Take Ft. Hunt Road. Turn left onto Paul Spring Road (Hollin Hills sign), follow 1 mile, bearing right at every choice. (Paul Spring Road becomes Devonshire Rd.).Turn right onto Popkins Lane, turn immediately right onto Coventry Rd. Follow to end.
MapQuest Directions:
Click here for directions from MapQuestSaturday, July 21, 2012
All Star Relay Carnival Photos
Check out the photos Tonda Phalen took at the All Star Relay Carnival. Great shots!
Friday, July 20, 2012
We Are the Nine Percent! Gators "Occupy All-Star Relays" Movement More Successful than "Occupy Wall Street" Movement.
The MVP Gators finished ninth out of 102 teams Wednesday night in the All-Star Relays. Seeded 20th going into the season by the NVSL, Gator relays rocked again by scoring 230 points. In the last five years, MVP has finished 9th, 14th, 11th, 16th, and 14th at All-Star Relays. This represents the first time MVP has broken into the top 10 in the modern era.
(Note to NVSL seeding poo-bahs: no need to move MVP up a division next season, Four is where we belong. The Gators just happen to be really, really good at relays.)
Not that we pay attention to these things, but I always check to see how the 18th place, 28th, and 29th place teams did. Wow -- what a coincidence -- it turns out those are Mansion House (178 points), Waynewood (98 points), and Riverside Gardens (96)! Who knew? (For those of you not good at math, combined, Waynewood and Riverside Gardens scored fewer points than MVP.
The meet went off without a hitch, despite the threat of thunderstorms. At one point the team started to run for safety like Occupiers before a National Park Service Bulldozer, but they were rallied by Coach Paul and Team Rep Glen, who stood there like a stonewall to stop the retreating parents!
The Gators set four team records (see related post), including snapping a 1990 mark and lowering their own NVSL record. The 11-12 fearsome foursome missed out on another NVSL record by just 0.07. (While 007 reminds one of James Bond, in this case it reminds us of that other great spy -- Maxwell Smart.)
As the smart money in Vegas expected, the 11-12 girls took first place in both the medley relay and the freestyle relay. The same four swam both events -- in the medley Cassidy Bayer swam back, Holly Jansen swam breaststroke, Emma Jones did fly, and Elaina Phalen swam free. (Editor's Note: In the freestyle relays, all four swimmers do, uh, freestyle.)
Coach Paul Makin switched things up in the free -- typically your second-fastest swimmer goes first, and your fastest swimmer goes last (anchor leg). To get clean water and mess the heads of the other relay teams, he had Cassidy lead off. She took a huge lead, and the Gators led from start to finish.
The medley broke their own NVSL record, and the free relay just missed an NVSL record by that much. (Readers: try it. Try doing something in 0.07 seconds. Not much time, huh? That's how close they came.)
The next highest finishing Gator relay were the 13-14 free relay of Mollie Passacantando, Torie Bolger, Anna Fracasso, and Jessie Bricker, who grabbed an eighth place. Three of the four, plus Sarah Jones, finished ninth in the medley relay, taking 0.27 seconds off their seed time. Torie swam back, Sarah did breaststroke, Anna swam fly, and Jessie did free.
Also finishing ninth were the boys 8 & under free relay of James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn, and Charlie Ruppe. Seeded 16th, the boys blew away their seed time of 1:21.34 with an amazing time of 1:16.91, breaking a pool record set back in 1990 (see related post).
The girls Mixed Age 200 freestyle relay put up another ninth place, as Cassidy Bayer, Sherican Phalen, Jessie Bricker, and Sara Bertram brought home key points for the team.
The final ninth place for the Gators was earned by the 9-10 girls medley relay team of Michela "Mac" Brotherton (back), Lily Penn (breaststroke), Olivia Blondin (fly), and Sheridan Phalen (free). They improved from their 11th seed start, carving a little bit of time off (0.26) in the process.
The 9-10 girls free relay featured Mac, Taylor Makin, Juliana Skopp-Cardillo, and Sheridan Phalen. They finished 15th, taking 0.05 seconds off their seed time.
The 8 & under girls medley relay finished in 11th place as Cage Theriot swam back, Juliette Fore was the breaststroker, Emily Makin swam fly, and Cecilia Morales finished it with free. It was another team record.
The 8 & under girls also swam free, albeit not in a legal fashion. Que sera. The 9-10 boys medley relay were second alternates, so congrats to Parker Blondin, Andrei Zaitsev, Brian McNamara, and Clark Bayer.
(Note to NVSL seeding poo-bahs: no need to move MVP up a division next season, Four is where we belong. The Gators just happen to be really, really good at relays.)
Not that we pay attention to these things, but I always check to see how the 18th place, 28th, and 29th place teams did. Wow -- what a coincidence -- it turns out those are Mansion House (178 points), Waynewood (98 points), and Riverside Gardens (96)! Who knew? (For those of you not good at math, combined, Waynewood and Riverside Gardens scored fewer points than MVP.
The meet went off without a hitch, despite the threat of thunderstorms. At one point the team started to run for safety like Occupiers before a National Park Service Bulldozer, but they were rallied by Coach Paul and Team Rep Glen, who stood there like a stonewall to stop the retreating parents!
The Gators set four team records (see related post), including snapping a 1990 mark and lowering their own NVSL record. The 11-12 fearsome foursome missed out on another NVSL record by just 0.07. (While 007 reminds one of James Bond, in this case it reminds us of that other great spy -- Maxwell Smart.)
As the smart money in Vegas expected, the 11-12 girls took first place in both the medley relay and the freestyle relay. The same four swam both events -- in the medley Cassidy Bayer swam back, Holly Jansen swam breaststroke, Emma Jones did fly, and Elaina Phalen swam free. (Editor's Note: In the freestyle relays, all four swimmers do, uh, freestyle.)
Coach Paul Makin switched things up in the free -- typically your second-fastest swimmer goes first, and your fastest swimmer goes last (anchor leg). To get clean water and mess the heads of the other relay teams, he had Cassidy lead off. She took a huge lead, and the Gators led from start to finish.
The medley broke their own NVSL record, and the free relay just missed an NVSL record by that much. (Readers: try it. Try doing something in 0.07 seconds. Not much time, huh? That's how close they came.)
The next highest finishing Gator relay were the 13-14 free relay of Mollie Passacantando, Torie Bolger, Anna Fracasso, and Jessie Bricker, who grabbed an eighth place. Three of the four, plus Sarah Jones, finished ninth in the medley relay, taking 0.27 seconds off their seed time. Torie swam back, Sarah did breaststroke, Anna swam fly, and Jessie did free.
Also finishing ninth were the boys 8 & under free relay of James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn, and Charlie Ruppe. Seeded 16th, the boys blew away their seed time of 1:21.34 with an amazing time of 1:16.91, breaking a pool record set back in 1990 (see related post).
The girls Mixed Age 200 freestyle relay put up another ninth place, as Cassidy Bayer, Sherican Phalen, Jessie Bricker, and Sara Bertram brought home key points for the team.
The final ninth place for the Gators was earned by the 9-10 girls medley relay team of Michela "Mac" Brotherton (back), Lily Penn (breaststroke), Olivia Blondin (fly), and Sheridan Phalen (free). They improved from their 11th seed start, carving a little bit of time off (0.26) in the process.
The 9-10 girls free relay featured Mac, Taylor Makin, Juliana Skopp-Cardillo, and Sheridan Phalen. They finished 15th, taking 0.05 seconds off their seed time.
The 8 & under girls medley relay finished in 11th place as Cage Theriot swam back, Juliette Fore was the breaststroker, Emily Makin swam fly, and Cecilia Morales finished it with free. It was another team record.
The 8 & under girls also swam free, albeit not in a legal fashion. Que sera. The 9-10 boys medley relay were second alternates, so congrats to Parker Blondin, Andrei Zaitsev, Brian McNamara, and Clark Bayer.
Breaking News: Cassidy Bayer sets 3rd NAG record
After taking out two NAG records for the 100 fly and the 200 fly, MVP's own Cassidy Bayer tied Olympian Dana Vollmer's 50 meter fly record last night. She swam a 28.23 -- which is faster than her MVP team record/NVSL record, even though it was long course! Short course (25 meters) is generally faster because of the turn than long course (think the upper pool, or Olympic-length) -- so an amazing swim is even more incredible.
Read all about it:
http://swimswam.com/2012/07/cassidy-bayer-gets-another-nag-record-this-time-its-a-tie/
And, for an article on Cassidy's recent record-lowering 100 meter fly swim, here's the Washington Post's swim web site on her:
http://reachforthewall.com/2012/07/14/pvs-senior-champs-cassidy-bayer-breaks-national-age-group-record-in-100-butterfly/
Congratulations to Cassidy!
Read all about it:
http://swimswam.com/2012/07/cassidy-bayer-gets-another-nag-record-this-time-its-a-tie/
And, for an article on Cassidy's recent record-lowering 100 meter fly swim, here's the Washington Post's swim web site on her:
http://reachforthewall.com/2012/07/14/pvs-senior-champs-cassidy-bayer-breaks-national-age-group-record-in-100-butterfly/
Congratulations to Cassidy!
Monday, July 16, 2012
More Awesome Pics from the Hunt Valley Meet
Rita McGill took some great shots at the Hunt Valley meet. Check them out. I love the way she shoots sequences like starts and relay transfers.
All-Star Relay Happy Ad
Kelli Makin designed this great Happy Ad for the All-Star Relay program. Someone suggested I do it, but as a political consultant, I only know how to do Unhappy Ads. Doesn't quite fit the theme!
She did a great job:
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She did a great job:
Pictures from Hunt Valley Meet Now Online
Here is a link to my photos from the Hunt Valley meet on Saturday: https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/HuntValleyAtMVP2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCML--9LFybCUygE&feat=directlink
I've also posted Rita McGill's photos of each of the relay teams: https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/HuntValleyVsMVPRelayTeams?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIfP-vadhrbZmAE&feat=directlink
I still have a metric ton of photos that Rita shot of the meet. I'll get them posted a little later today.
I've also posted Rita McGill's photos of each of the relay teams: https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/HuntValleyVsMVPRelayTeams?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIfP-vadhrbZmAE&feat=directlink
I still have a metric ton of photos that Rita shot of the meet. I'll get them posted a little later today.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Stingrays Snap Gator Winning Streak
Successful swimming by the Stingrays shattered a shot at a division title for MVP. Hunt Valley won the meet 237-183 to move to 4-0 and all but clinch the trophy. The Gators drop to 3-1.
The Stingrays started strong and never looked back. What had the potential to be a close meet never came together for MVP, as Hunt Valley consistently swam well and nabbed key points.
After freestyle, the Gators trailed 43-47. The backstroke went against the team in green by 38-52, and suddenly the Stingrays led by eighteen points. Hunt Valley really opened it up by taking breaststroke by 26 points, essentially clinching the meet. The Gators tied the Stingrays in fly at 45-45.
Hunt Valley won seven out of twelve relays -- which underscores that they are sending 14 relays to All-Stars, while the Gators have eleven All-Star teams (see related article). MVP swimmers did set one individual and three relay records during the meet (see related article).
Gators had three sweeps -- the 11-12 girls freestyle (Cassidy Bayer, Emma Jones, Parker Fulghum), the 13-14 girls freestyle (Jessie Bricker, Torie Bolger, Mollie Passacantando), and the 13-14 girls fly (Anna Fracasso, Mollie Passacantando, Jessie Bricker).
Gator heroes -- those who swam up -- include Anna Fracasso, a 14 year old swimming 15-18 back, Kaila Stein, a 13 year old swimming 15-18 back, Sarah Jones, a 14 year old swimming 15-18 fly, and Cassidy Bayer, a 12 year old swimming fly in the 15-18 200 meter medley relay.
The race of the week was swum by Nick Dupuis, who won his 25 flyby just 0.12 seconds. (Race of the week based on the closest first place MVP win over the opposing team.)
Double winners were Nick Dupuis (free and fly), Cameron Morey (free and back), Cassidy Bayer (free and fly), Emily Makin (back and fly), and Sara Bertram (back and fly).
Single MVP winners were Jessie Bricker (free), Kevin Adams-Mardi (back), Juliette Fore (breaststroke), and Anna Fracasso (fly). Overall, Gators won 14 out of 40 races.
Second place points were earned by James Piland (free), Cage Theriot (free), Emma Jones (free and fly), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free), Torie Bolger (free and back), Leigh Orleans (free), Kenny Krogh (back), Mac Brotherton (back), Parker Fulghum (back), Gus Leyden (back and fly), Charlie Ruppe (breaststroke and fly), Parker Blondin (breaststroke), Sean Jansen (breaststroke), Elaina Phalen (breaststroke), Nick Ducceschi (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), Jayne Orleans (breaststroke), Olivia Blondin (fly), and Mollie Passacantando (fly). MVPers took 23 second place finishes.
Third place points were scored by Sheridan Phalen (free), Sean Jansen (free), Parker Fulghum (free), Tom Dupuis (free and fly), Mollie Passacantando (free), Collin Sundsted (back and fly), Molly Cabral (back), Cyrus Adams-Mardi (back), Brian McNamara (breaststroke), Sam McBroom (breaststroke), Duncan Hoag (breaststroke), Kaila Stein (breaststroke), Jack Benson (breaststroke), Leigh Orleans (breaststroke), Kenny Krogh (fly), Jessie Bricker (fly) and Jessica Metter (fly).
The Dunn Loring Dolphins come to MVP on Saturday for the battle for second place -- both teams are 3-1 on the season.
The Stingrays started strong and never looked back. What had the potential to be a close meet never came together for MVP, as Hunt Valley consistently swam well and nabbed key points.
After freestyle, the Gators trailed 43-47. The backstroke went against the team in green by 38-52, and suddenly the Stingrays led by eighteen points. Hunt Valley really opened it up by taking breaststroke by 26 points, essentially clinching the meet. The Gators tied the Stingrays in fly at 45-45.
Hunt Valley won seven out of twelve relays -- which underscores that they are sending 14 relays to All-Stars, while the Gators have eleven All-Star teams (see related article). MVP swimmers did set one individual and three relay records during the meet (see related article).
Gators had three sweeps -- the 11-12 girls freestyle (Cassidy Bayer, Emma Jones, Parker Fulghum), the 13-14 girls freestyle (Jessie Bricker, Torie Bolger, Mollie Passacantando), and the 13-14 girls fly (Anna Fracasso, Mollie Passacantando, Jessie Bricker).
Gator heroes -- those who swam up -- include Anna Fracasso, a 14 year old swimming 15-18 back, Kaila Stein, a 13 year old swimming 15-18 back, Sarah Jones, a 14 year old swimming 15-18 fly, and Cassidy Bayer, a 12 year old swimming fly in the 15-18 200 meter medley relay.
The race of the week was swum by Nick Dupuis, who won his 25 flyby just 0.12 seconds. (Race of the week based on the closest first place MVP win over the opposing team.)
Double winners were Nick Dupuis (free and fly), Cameron Morey (free and back), Cassidy Bayer (free and fly), Emily Makin (back and fly), and Sara Bertram (back and fly).
Single MVP winners were Jessie Bricker (free), Kevin Adams-Mardi (back), Juliette Fore (breaststroke), and Anna Fracasso (fly). Overall, Gators won 14 out of 40 races.
Second place points were earned by James Piland (free), Cage Theriot (free), Emma Jones (free and fly), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free), Torie Bolger (free and back), Leigh Orleans (free), Kenny Krogh (back), Mac Brotherton (back), Parker Fulghum (back), Gus Leyden (back and fly), Charlie Ruppe (breaststroke and fly), Parker Blondin (breaststroke), Sean Jansen (breaststroke), Elaina Phalen (breaststroke), Nick Ducceschi (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), Jayne Orleans (breaststroke), Olivia Blondin (fly), and Mollie Passacantando (fly). MVPers took 23 second place finishes.
Third place points were scored by Sheridan Phalen (free), Sean Jansen (free), Parker Fulghum (free), Tom Dupuis (free and fly), Mollie Passacantando (free), Collin Sundsted (back and fly), Molly Cabral (back), Cyrus Adams-Mardi (back), Brian McNamara (breaststroke), Sam McBroom (breaststroke), Duncan Hoag (breaststroke), Kaila Stein (breaststroke), Jack Benson (breaststroke), Leigh Orleans (breaststroke), Kenny Krogh (fly), Jessie Bricker (fly) and Jessica Metter (fly).
The Dunn Loring Dolphins come to MVP on Saturday for the battle for second place -- both teams are 3-1 on the season.
Swimmers of the Week: Juliette Fore & Nick Dupuis
Juliette Fore and Nick Dupuis earned Swimmer of the Week honors for week four.
Based on times going into the meet, 8 & under Juliette was likely to finish second to her Hunt Valley Stingray rival, but instead Juliette smoked to a best time and won a breaststroke race the Gators didn't expect to have.
Nick Dupuis won both his races -- one in blowout fashion and one in nose-out fashion. Nick swam nearly a second under the All-Star cut in easily winning the 9-10 freestyle. He then won the 25 meter butterfly by 0.12 seconds to complete the double win.
Based on times going into the meet, 8 & under Juliette was likely to finish second to her Hunt Valley Stingray rival, but instead Juliette smoked to a best time and won a breaststroke race the Gators didn't expect to have.
Nick Dupuis won both his races -- one in blowout fashion and one in nose-out fashion. Nick swam nearly a second under the All-Star cut in easily winning the 9-10 freestyle. He then won the 25 meter butterfly by 0.12 seconds to complete the double win.
Directions to Riverside Gardens (Not Marvin Gardens)
8633 Buckboard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308
Take State Route 629 (better known as Ft. Hunt Road) to a right turn on Old Stage Road (across from Heritage Presbyterian Church AND Plymouth Haven Baptist Church).Take an immediate left on Buckboard, and it is all the way to the end of the street. Parking is grim, so you may end up on the street -- just don't block a driveway.
Please allow yourself at least four minutes to get to Riverside Gardens.
Hunt Valley Haiku
Stingrays sting Gators.
Trophy on the line, but missed.
Grunt, wait till next year!
Trophy on the line, but missed.
Grunt, wait till next year!
Hey Now, You're An All-Star, And So Are You and You and. . .
The MVP Gators are sending a modern era record eleven relay teams featuring 28 different swimmers to All-Stars Wednesday night at Lincolnia Park. The old modern record was nine, both in 2011 and 2009.
First, The Background
There are 102 teams in the 17 divisions in the NVSL. The First Division has the fastest and best teams that actually even recruit, and Division 17 has the smallest and, um, not so best teams. Teams move up and down divisions based on some complex formula divined with frogs, magic hats, and secret sauce at a place in Scotland called "Hogwarts."
Every year, on the Wednesday after the third A meet, there is a meet consisting of all six teams in the division swimming 22 different relays mixed age, medley, and freestyle across the different age groups and genders (don t worry, things haven t changed since you were younger, there are still only two genders). Results from across the 17 divisions are compared, and the top 18 teams in each age/gender group make it the following Wednesday to a huge meet called All-Star Relays, along with two alternates.
All-Stars is like Woodstock for swimming -- the best from the biggest summer swim league in the country -- a total of 396 relays swim, which results in approximately 1,700-1,800 swimmers.
In 2006, the Gators sent seven relay teams to All-Stars. In 2007, the number dropped to three (although they put on a show). In 2008, the number bounced back up to seven. Then, in 2009, the Gators hit a new high of nine relay teams going to All-Stars. That "dropped" to eight in 2010, although there were some powerhouse relays, before bouncing back to nine last year. With another eleven this year, the team has averaged 9.25 relay teams in the past three seasons, whatever the heck that means!
Now, the DetailsThe All-Star teams are seeded, from one to 18, and swim in three heats, with the slowest heat going first, and the fast six teams in the final heat. Teams can move up -- we've had Gator teams in the slow heat finish in the top six overall. (Of course, they can also go the other way).
Nine girls teams and two boys teams qualified for All-Stars. Of the 23 girls who swam Wednesday at Divisional Relays, 20 are on teams that qualified! Both 11-12 girls relays are top seed, and we have two other single digit seeds.
Here are your 2012 Gator All-Star relays:
The 9-10 boys medley relay were just 0.07 seconds away from being 18th seed instead of second alternates -- very, very close!
Congrats to all of the Gator All-Stars!
First, The Background
There are 102 teams in the 17 divisions in the NVSL. The First Division has the fastest and best teams that actually even recruit, and Division 17 has the smallest and, um, not so best teams. Teams move up and down divisions based on some complex formula divined with frogs, magic hats, and secret sauce at a place in Scotland called "Hogwarts."
Every year, on the Wednesday after the third A meet, there is a meet consisting of all six teams in the division swimming 22 different relays mixed age, medley, and freestyle across the different age groups and genders (don t worry, things haven t changed since you were younger, there are still only two genders). Results from across the 17 divisions are compared, and the top 18 teams in each age/gender group make it the following Wednesday to a huge meet called All-Star Relays, along with two alternates.
All-Stars is like Woodstock for swimming -- the best from the biggest summer swim league in the country -- a total of 396 relays swim, which results in approximately 1,700-1,800 swimmers.
In 2006, the Gators sent seven relay teams to All-Stars. In 2007, the number dropped to three (although they put on a show). In 2008, the number bounced back up to seven. Then, in 2009, the Gators hit a new high of nine relay teams going to All-Stars. That "dropped" to eight in 2010, although there were some powerhouse relays, before bouncing back to nine last year. With another eleven this year, the team has averaged 9.25 relay teams in the past three seasons, whatever the heck that means!
Now, the DetailsThe All-Star teams are seeded, from one to 18, and swim in three heats, with the slowest heat going first, and the fast six teams in the final heat. Teams can move up -- we've had Gator teams in the slow heat finish in the top six overall. (Of course, they can also go the other way).
Nine girls teams and two boys teams qualified for All-Stars. Of the 23 girls who swam Wednesday at Divisional Relays, 20 are on teams that qualified! Both 11-12 girls relays are top seed, and we have two other single digit seeds.
Here are your 2012 Gator All-Star relays:
Mixed Age Girls relay – 7th seed (Cassidy Bayer, Sheridan Phalen, Jessie Bricker, Sara Bertram)
8 & under girls medley relay – 7th seed (Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecilia Morales)
9-10 girls medley relay – 11th seed (Mac Brotherton, Lily Penn, Olivia Blondin, Sheridan Phalen)
9-10 boys medley relay – 2nd Alternate (Andrei Zaitsev, Brian McNamara, Parker Blondin, Clark Bayer)
11-12 girls medley relay – top seed (Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen)
13-14 girls medley relay – 8th seed (Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker)
8 & under girls free relay – 16th seed (Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Cecilia Morales, Emily Makin)
8 & under boys free relay – 16th seed (James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn, Charlie Ruppe)
9-10 girls free relay – 14th seed (Mac Brotherton, Taylor Makin, Juliana Skopp-Cardillo, Sheridan Phalen)
11-12 girls free relay – 1st seed (Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Cassidy Bayer)
13-14 girls free relay – 8th seed (Mollie Passacantando, Torie Bolger, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker)
Congrats to all of the Gator All-Stars!
Division 4 Relay Carnival Pictures Are Here!
Well, actually they are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/Division4RelayCarnival2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKLGw5qXw6P6wgE&feat=directlink
Thanks to David Anderson, another great job of capturing Gator Nation in full swim.
https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/Division4RelayCarnival2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKLGw5qXw6P6wgE&feat=directlink
Thanks to David Anderson, another great job of capturing Gator Nation in full swim.
Four More Team Records Fall On Saturday
While Hunt Valley got the better of MVP on Saturday, Gator swimmers got the better of four team records.
Congrats to all Gator record holders.
- 13-14 Girls 100 M Med. Relay. Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker swam a 1:03.05. The old record was from 18 Jul 09. Maddy Bolger, Sophia Passacantando, Sara Bertram, Leigh Orleans and their time of 1:03.37 have been erased from the record books.
- 15-18 Girls 50M Backstroke. Sara Bertram broke her own record from 23 Jul 11 by 0.09 seconds. Old time 32.22, new time 32.13.
- 15-18 Girls 200M Med. Relay. Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Cassidy Bayer, Leigh Orleans. New time 2.:10.87. Old time from last year, 23 Jul 11 with 2:11.38 with Julia Bolger, Sophia Passacantando, Sara Bertram, Maddy Bolger.
- Boys 18 & Under Mixed Age Relay. 200M Free. Cameron Morey, Nick Dupuis, Kevin Adams-Mardi and Cyrus Adams-Mardi shaved a significant amount of time off their record from 30 Jun 12. Old time 2:01.50, new time 1:59.91.
Congrats to all Gator record holders.
Gator girls set new NVSL record, two other team records fall, two new marks established!
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| Emma Jones contributing to the cyclone. |
The fearsome foursome beat the old record by 0.08, swimming a 1:01.83. The old record was set by Division One powerhouse Overlee 19 years ago in 1993! The Gator four also broke their own four day old team record by exactly one second.
Because the rules for eligibility for Relay Carnival and A Meets are different, the NVSL recognizes two sets of relay records. Having gunned down the faster Relay Carnival record, the 11-12 girls have a real shot on Saturday of breaking the slower A Meet record of 1:02.21.
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| Cameron Morey helps smash a record. |
The 11-12 girls free relay also set a new team record, swimming a 56.55, breaking the two year old record by a healthy 1.22 seconds. The old mark was held by Torie Bolger, Molly Cabral, Anna Fracasso, and Emily Walzl.
The new team marks were set by the 8 & under medley relay teams -- because this is the first time those events have ever been swum in the NVSL (up till this year, it had been a modified medley of back, breaststroke, free and free. With 8 & under fly now in the A meets, the modified medley was modified to a true medley for 8 & unders.)
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| Ringing in a record. |
The two new records:
- 8 and under Girls 100 meter medley: Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecilia Morales - 1:30.31.
- 8 and under Boys 100 meter medley: Kenny Krogh, Will Friedman, Charlie Ruppe, James Piland--1:39.62.
Cassidy Bayer sets her 2nd NAG -- 100 fly!
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| Cassidy's record-breaking form. |
Vollmer tweeted her congrats:
Dana Vollmer
Congrats to Cassidy Bayer on taking down my 11-12 NAG Record in the 100 fly with a 1:02.3! It held for 12 yrs- proud of you girl!
We'll post more details once the record is official.
Gators Take Second At Divisional Relay Carnival
The Hunt Valley Stingrays showed they are the tops in Division 4, presaging their win in the dual meet on Saturday, by winning the Division Relay Carnival with 220 points. MVP took second place with 188 points, followed by Mosby Woods (150), Fox Mill Woods (142), and Dunn Loring/Pinecrest (tied at 132).
Hunt Valley's 220 points was second most of any Relay Carnival winner out of the 17 NVSL divisions (Rolling Forest scored 222 in Division 12, to provide you with information you absolutely do not need to know or care about). Only two second place teams scored more than MVP's 188 points, which means the Gators are among the best of the second best (how's that for spin!).
The Gators won six of the 22 relay races, took three second place finishes, and earned five third place scores. So, overall, Gator relay teams finished in the top half of the division in 14 of the 22 races. There were five team records set, including another NVSL record! (See related story)
Second place showing were earned by the 9-10 boys 100 meter medley relay (Andrei Zaitsev, Brian McNamara, Parker Blondin, and Clark Bayer), the 8 & under girls 100 meter free relay (Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Cecilia Morales, and Emily Makin), and the 9-10 boys 100 meter free relay (Andrei Zaitsev, Clark Bayer, Brian McNamara, and Joseph Ienzi).
Third place points were garnered by the Mixed Age girls 200 meter free relay (Cassidy Bayer, Sheridan Phalen, Jessie Bricker, and Sara Bertram), the 9-10 girls 100 meter medley relay (Mac Brotherton, Lily Penn, Olivia Blondin, and Sheridan Phalen), the 15-18 girls 200 meter medley relay (Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Jessica Metter, and Leigh Orleans), the 11-12 boys 100 meter free relay (Cameron Morey, Sean Jansen, Sam McBroom, and Dom Heratsch), and the 15-18 girls 200 meter free relay (Leigh, Jessica, Jayne, and Sara).
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| "That felt fast!" |
The Gators won six of the 22 relay races, took three second place finishes, and earned five third place scores. So, overall, Gator relay teams finished in the top half of the division in 14 of the 22 races. There were five team records set, including another NVSL record! (See related story)
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| Juliette helps the 8 and under girls to 1st place. |
First place finishes were logged by the 8 & under girls 100 meter medley relay (Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, and Cecilia Morales), the 11-12 girls 100 meter medley relay (Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, and Elaina Phalen), the 13-14 girls 200 meter medley relay (Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, and Jessie Bricker), the 8 & under boys 100 meter free relay (James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn, and Charlie Ruppe), the 11-12 girls 100 meter free relay (Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, and Cassidy Bayer), and the 13-14 girls 200 meter free relay (Mollie Passacantando, Torie Bolger, Anna Fracasso, and Jessie Bricker).
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| Parker sez: "Let's swim fast, Andrei!" |
Third place points were garnered by the Mixed Age girls 200 meter free relay (Cassidy Bayer, Sheridan Phalen, Jessie Bricker, and Sara Bertram), the 9-10 girls 100 meter medley relay (Mac Brotherton, Lily Penn, Olivia Blondin, and Sheridan Phalen), the 15-18 girls 200 meter medley relay (Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Jessica Metter, and Leigh Orleans), the 11-12 boys 100 meter free relay (Cameron Morey, Sean Jansen, Sam McBroom, and Dom Heratsch), and the 15-18 girls 200 meter free relay (Leigh, Jessica, Jayne, and Sara).
David Anderson's Photos from Mansion House
A lot of good ones before darkness fell:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/MVPAtMansionHouse2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCMTTte304oH_Tw&feat=email
https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/MVPAtMansionHouse2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCMTTte304oH_Tw&feat=email
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Divisional Relay Carnival Haiku
Relays thrash records
Primal grunts ring at Primos
Cholesterol soars
(by Karl Metter)
Primal grunts ring at Primos
Cholesterol soars
(by Karl Metter)
Photos From Pinecrest A Meet
The photos are by Rita Bertram. David Anderson did the editing. Glen Bolger did the really hard work of posting the link.
https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/PinecrestAtMVP2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCLKatcy16eedvAE&feat=email
https://picasaweb.google.com/114682110635489328722/PinecrestAtMVP2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCLKatcy16eedvAE&feat=email
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