Oakton Swim/Dive has had another successful week for the 2017-2018 season. The boys’ and girls’ teams walked away with victories of 187 points to 128 points for the boys and 186 points to 126 points for the girls at Spring Hill Recreation Center.
Last week, Oakton started the season with a bang. The boys earned eight region cuts, three of them also state cuts, and the girls had 10 region cuts, two also being state-qualifying swims. Junior Daniel Gyenis, sophomore Leaya Ma, and freshman Anthony Grimm, and the 200 medley relays earned state cuts at Cub Run against Westfield.
Despite the absence of 12 swimmers, usually top scorers, for club team invitational meets, the Cougars showed their incredible depth and didn’t skip a beat. On the boys’ side, junior Albert Xu and senior Devin Gardner were double winners in both of their individual events, 200 and 500 freestyle for Xu and 50 and 100 freestyle for Gardner, leading the way to first place wins for all four freestyle events. Junior Sam Walters had a five second drop from his lifetime best in the 200 freestyle, in addition to his third place swim. Freshman Carl Blakney earned third place in the 100 butterfly with an impressive time drop as well. The boys finally ended the meet with first, second, and third place finishes in the 400 freestyle relay. As for the girls, sophomore Lily Chireix earned her first victory on the board at her second meet. Oakton was able to take home victories in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle, and 400 freestyle relays over the Saxons. Juniors Alexus Chua, who swam the 200 and 500 freestyle, and Evelyn Pickett, who swam the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, filled in for missing teammates and earned first place for both of their individual events. Freshman Lindsey Kotarski dropped lifetime bests in both the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke to contribute to the 60-point win over Langley.
With the return of their 12 swimmers, Oakton is hoping to have yet another successful meet before winter break begins. Due to the cancellation of all FCPS activities, Oakton Swim/Dive will no longer be swimming in the Concorde Invitational. The Cougars will next be going to Audrey Moore Recreation Center to swim in a tri-meet with Thomas Jefferson High School and Mount Vernon High School at 6 pm on Friday, December 15.