Hamlet Green Feet Trip Up Gators at Mount Vernon Park

We are the Gators, the mighty mighty Gators!

“Our doubts are traitors,

And make us lose the good we oft might win,

By fearing to attempt.”

—William Shakespeare “Measure for Measure”

Having swum against Hamlet on Saturday, I couldn’t help but think of Shakespeare.  And the famous quote from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” – “to be or not to be, that is the question” – is one I am sure many recited in their minds or out loud, as we considered this week’s A meet opponent.  But I offer up Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” quote instead. Hamlet is a true NVSL powerhouse, having come to Division 2 from Division 1 where they have spent much of the last decade.  Last week Hamlet won their meet against Donaldson Run in a landslide, with a score of 271.5 to 148.5.  As MVP came off its first loss of the season against Hunt Valley, it would have been easy to doubt ourselves and even fear Hamlet.  But instead, the Gators came out fighting on Saturday and swam with great confidence and determination, losing to the Hamlet Green Feet by a closer than expected final score of 229 to 191.

All smiles after warm-ups.

James Piland's wearing the newest goggle technology.

We’ve been spoiled by perfect weather on Saturday mornings, and this last Saturday was no exception.  Under the bluest of skies and perfect temperature, Sarah Jones treated the crowd to an awesome rendition of the Star Spangled Banner on saxophone.  When the meet got going, the Gators came out of the gates fast, picking up 49 points to the Green Feet’s 41 points after freestyle.  Freestyle included MVP’s only sweep of the day – girls 13/14, with Sheridan Phalen taking first, Juliana Skopp-Cardillo coming in second, and Abby Dittman rounding out the sweep in 3^rd.  The Green Feet picked up some serious momentum in both backstroke and breaststroke, adding 53 points in both to the Gator’s 37 points.  The Gators had a strong showing in butterfly taking 43 points to Hamlet’s 47 points.  The Green Feet won seven out of twelve relays to edge out the Gators by 38 points at the end of the meet.

Red, white and blue Olympic spirit!

Several of the relays were exceptionally close, some ending in wins and some in losses, but two are worth mentioning.  The boys 9-10 and the girls 9-10 relay teams did a little synchronized swimming during events 43 and 44.  Both teams edged out their green feet opponents by .07 seconds!  The boys team included Matthew Makin, Alexander North, Donovan Kovalsky, and Tyler Swartz.  The girls team was made up of Elizabeth Moorman, Caroline Baker, Lily Palmerino, and Katya Ziatsev.  Great job guys and girls!

The races of the week go to Kevin Adams-Mardi and Ginny Grubbs.  Kevin won an exciting boys 15-18 freestyle with a time of 25.77, edging out his Hamlet opponent by .46 seconds.  Ginny won the girls 8 & under butterfly by just .29 seconds with a time of 24.78.  And we have to also give credit to the boys and girls 9-10 relays for their unbelievably close wins!

Kevin in action.

Ginny won a close one

A special shout-out to Colin Baxter, who recently turned 12, for helping out the Gators by swimming up for the boys 13-14 backstroke.

Individual Gator winners included Donovan Kovalsky (free), Sheridan Phalen (free, fly), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free, breaststroke), Matthew Makin (back), Emily Makin (back, breaststroke), Gabrielle Greszler (back), Taylor Makin (breaststroke), Ginny Grubbs (fly), Lily Palmerino (fly), and Brian McNamara (fly).

Matthew rocking the back

Brian's flying

Second place points were earned by Liam Garvey (free), Ginny Grubbs (free), Alexander North (free, breaststroke), Katya Zaitsev (free), Charles Bradburn (free, back), Juliette Fore (free), Nick Dupuis (free, breaststroke), Juliana Skopp-Cardillo (free), Jessie Bricker (free, fly), Monica Morales (back, breaststroke), Brian McNamara (back), Abby Dittman (back), Parker Fulghum (back), Charlie Ruppe (breaststroke), Olivia Heck (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), Donovan Kovalsky (fly), Kenneth Krogh (fly), Gabrielle Greszler (fly), and Cameron Morey (fly).

Parker finished strong in the back

Another priceless moment on deck!

Third place points were taken by Abigail Leach (free), Elizabeth Moorman (free), James Piland (free, fly), Andrew Baker (free, fly), Abby Dittman (free), Tres Greszler (free), Parker Fulghum (free), Gavin Moore (back), Helen Milito (back), George Schulte (back), Katya Zaitsev (back), Andrei Zaitsev (back), Cameron Morey (back), Anna Fracasso (back), Gavin Fore (breaststroke), Caroline Baker (breaststroke, fly), Cecilia Morales (breaststroke), Elaina Phalen (breaststroke, fly), Sean Kovalsky (fly), Amelia Adams (fly), Tyler Swartz (fly), and Juliette Fore (fly).

The Gators take on Hunter Mill next Saturday in their first away A meet of the season.  Let’s hope the perfect Saturday morning weather continues, and the Gators have a great meet in Vienna!