Calverton

2011 Calverton Chargers Swim Team

3 July 2011 - Charger Relays are the BEST!

Nick Stauder and Jacob Zebrowski strategize before the 11-12 Boys Medley Relay All-Star performance.

On the heels of Saturday's heated duel meet, the Calverton Chargers had an early morning wake up call for the road trip North to Waters Landing in Germantown for the tightly contested MCSL Division J Relay Carnival. The Chargers rallied together and swam well, many filling in for missing teammates, and led at halftime. The final standings came down to the equivalent of a single relay. The Chargers finished second, only six points behind the Whetstone Whales.

Out of 22 total events, seven Charger relays captured firsts. In doing so, they qualified for the coveted MCSL All-Star Relay Meet on July 30, 2011 at the Rockville Municpal Swim Center's outdoor pool. Congratulations, and great job!

Charger All-Star Relays:

11-12 Boys Medley Relay: 
Nick Stauder, Jacob Zebrowski, Ryan Banks, Erik Bustamante

13-14 Mixed Freestyle Relay: 
Hunter Freeman, Carolyn Worden, Abbey Holmes, Kyle Ryland

14&Ur Graduated Free Relay: 
Jacqueline Bielec, Rachel Borczuch, Abbey Holmes, Claire Ryland**

The Charger coaches would like to recognize Kristina Bustamante (age 9) for "swimming up" in the 13-14 Girls Relay. She truly stepped up to the plate and helped our team. Without her, three other girls would not have been able to swim their event. Thank you, Kristina, for showing us all what team spirit, commitment, and courage looks like.

Charger coaches and parents are proud of our swimmers. You are the BEST. GO Chargers!

(left) Maria Poulos (8&U) was elected to represent the Chargers and swim a single length of the pool with the U.S. flag during the opening and singing of the "Star Spangled Banner". (right) Kiely Hutchcroft prepares for her backstroke leg of the 9-10 Girls medley relay. (3 July 2011)

(left to right) Jacqueline Bielec, Abbey Holmes, and Claire Ryland study their card before swimming the Girls 14&U Medley Relay. Where's Rachel Borczuch?! Congrats to this All-Star relay! (3 July 2011)

(left) Jacob Zebrowski finishes strong, doing his part to help his relay place first. (right) Nick Stauder gets in the zone before the start of the Boys 11-12  Medley Relay.  Congrats to this All-Star relay! (3 July 2011)

(left) The "A" Reps David Clifford and Ellen Carroll keep the Chargers on the path! (right) Liz Haley (8&U) gets hugs from Mom Sharon as a reward for a race well swum. (3 July 2011)

(left) All-Star 13-14 Mixed Freestyle Relay: Abbey Holmes , Kyle Ryland, Carolyn Worden, and Hunter Freeman. (right) Abbey and Kyle plan their next race.  (3 July 2011)

(left to right) Carolyn Worden, Kristina Bustamante (age 9), Mia Gibbs, and Abbey Holmes. Thanks to Kristina's courage, this 13-14 relay was able to participate in the meet. That's Charger spirit! (3 July 2011)

2 July 2011 - Team Spirit and More Best Times in Week Three

15-18's (left to right) Kevin Tracy, Andrew Heiss, Kelly Carroll, and flag bearer "Bigs", lead the Chargers onto the pool deck for opening cheers. (2 July 2011)

Sporting patriotic red, white, and blue in honor of Independence Day, the Chargers showed up Saturday morning with plenty of team spirit. Cheering with volume and deck dancing with attitude, they had fun in addition to swimming with enthusiasm and determination in an attempt to capture another win. Unfortunately, despite a great effort, the team was unable to overcome a roster of swimmers who were MIA due to holiday travel and suffered their first loss to the Whetstone Whales 377-409. 

It was a close meet and a tough loss for swimmers and coaches alike, but once again the Chargers showed their backbone. "There were 80 best times recorded! Amazing!" remarked Head Coach Tony Murray. "We added three more swimmers to our list of All-Star qualifiers, and the number of lightening bolt times and yellow caps increases every week. The stats show the hard work the swimmers are putting in at practice, and I am proud of their attitude and effort." 

Congratulations to the growing list of Chargers with All-Star qualifying times: 
Jacqueline Bielec (9-10), Hunter Freeman (13-14), Amanda Freeman (15-18), Abbey Holmes (13-14), Maria Poulos (8&U),  Nick Stauder (11-12), and Claire Ryland (8&U).

Keep up the good work, Chargers. There is a lot more swimming to the 2011 summer season. GO Chargers!

 Charger 15-18's lead the way. (2 July 2011)

(left) Julia Flick shows her spirit along with other 8&U Charger girls. (right) Mini Bolt Josie Hutchcroft demonstrates proper red, white, and blue pinwheel spin. (2 July 2011)

(left) Chargers get psyched. (right) Patrick Talsania (15-18) and Andrew Heiss (15-18) help jump start the Chargers. (2 July 2011)

Marcus Zebrowski (9-10) carries Old Glory for the Charger's entrance onto the pool deck. (2 July 2011)

Charger musicians (left to right) Rachel Borczuch (13-14), Abbey Holmes (13-14) , and Patrick Talsania (15-18) performed an instrumental version of the "Star Spangled Banner" to open the meet. (2 July 2011)

(top left) Assistant Coach Amanda Freeman goes over the line up as Shannon Wade looks on. Amanda is right in the middle of the mix (middle left), as are (bottom left) 15-18's Casey Banks, Kelly Carroll, David Clifford, and Patrick Talsania. (right) Assistant Coaches Amanda Freeman (15-18) and David Clifford (15-18) are enjoying their coaching responsibilities as well as competing as Charger swimmers. "It's like a family," says Freeman. (2 July 2011)

(left) Gabriel Marinho (9-10) and Jacob Zebrowski (9-10) take their warm ups seriously. (2 July 2011)
(right) Marcus Zebrowski (11-12) hangs out with friends while waiting for his next event. (2 July 2011)

Charger All-Star Nick Stauder is off to a great start on his backstroke event(s). (2 July 2011)

Pep-talk/Rep-talk with Mr. C. (2 July 2011)

The half-time agenda includes a little splish...

...and a lot of splash! Show us what you've got Kelly Carroll (15-18)! (2 July 2011)

Allie Albrecht (13-14) and Colleen Tracy (13-14) aren't having enough fun. :) (2 July 2011)

The Chargers rocked the house! (2 July 2011)

Brother and sister act Colleen (13-14) and Kevin (15-18) Tracy always find ways to make it fun. (2 July 2011)

25 June 2011- Thunder and Lighting Face Off in Week Two of Division J

"Whoa! The Chargers are on a roll winning 406-376 against the Waters Landing Thunder!" said Coach Tony Murray. Pool and team records fell as the Calverton Chargers took to the water at Waters Landing to win their second dual meet of the 2011 season. Murray knew this was going to be a close match-up and analyzed various line ups to give Calverton it's most competitive edge. "It truly was a great win."

Once again the Chargers delivered a "monstrous" list of 77 best times, earning themselves another mid-week ice cream party and pep rally. Well done Chargers!

Eight year old Claire Ryland celebrated record-breaking performances in the Girls 8&U 25M Freestyle (16.84), 25M Breaststroke (22.93) and the 25M Butterfly (18.40). Claire's swims earned her ONE team and THREE Waters Landing pool records. This 8&U has set her sights on continuing to improve her times and representing Calverton in the MCSL Long Course and All Star meets. Go for it Claire!

Abbey Holmes continues to score big for the Chargers and set a new Waters Landing pool record in the the 13-14 Girls 50 Breaststroke with a time of 37.66. Way to go Abbey!

Four Calverton swimmers achieved MCSL All Star nominating times: Claire Ryland in the 8&U Girls 25M Freestyle, 25M Breaststroke, and 25M Butterfly; Nick Stauder in the Boys 11-12 50M Backstroke; Abbey Holmes in the 13-14 Girls 100 IM and 50M Breaststroke; and Jacqueline Bielec in the 9-10 Girls 25M Breaststroke. 

Congratulations to the 13-14 Boys for their outstanding performances on Saturday. In particular, Ben Haley and Matthew Bielec showed great improvement in their races. "They had several key races that contributed to our victory," noted Murray. " Their hard work at practice is showing, and it's great to see." 

Matteo Roncaglia, Joshua Lewis, Julia Flick, and Abby Munro are all doing a great job in their first season with the Chargers. Saturday was the first meet for Abby, Matteo, and Julia, and they all did a fantastic job representing the team.

Avery Khandagle, Colleen Tracy, Mia Gibbs, and Jenny Case "swam up" and helped the team more than they know. We applaud them for their courage and good sportsmanship.

Sadly, Nam Tran swam his last meet of the season before departing for Vietnam for the remainder of the summer. HIs teammates and Charger families will miss Nam, but wish the Tran family well and safe travel. We'll look for you next season, Nam. 

"There is a great vibe to this team. As a coach, it is awesome to see the kids and parents having such a great time at the meets. I particularly liked the dance line that spontaneously erupted at half time," remarked Murray.

Coming up....Independence Day weekend fireworks as the 2-0 Calverton Chargers face off against the 2-0 Whetstone Whales in this Saturday's match up of the undefeated. Don't miss this Division J showdown as this meet promises to be exciting. GO Chargers!

Little devil Maria Poulos showed up with her game face and team spirit. (25 June 2011)

Julia Flick and Mom Sarah are all smiles as Julia joins the Chargers in her first "A" meet. (25 June 2011)

Claire Ryland (8&U) is happy about team lunch at Chick-fil-A. (25 June 2011)

Natalie Holmes (11-12) shows us how it's done! (25 June 2011)

Jacqueline Bielic achieved her first All Star nominating time of the season in the 9-10 Girls 25M Breaststroke. (25 June 2011) 

24 June 2011 - "Best-Times" Ice Cream Social

Kiely Hutchcroft (9-10) and Kera Talsania (11-12) sample the vanilla at Friday evening's Best-Times Ice Cream Social. The event proved to be incentive for the team to swim fast and build a "monstrous" list of best times the following morning. (24 June 2011)

BFFs (left to right) Jenny Case, Caroline Case, Colleen Tracy, and Allie Albrecht (13-14) are all smiles after ice cream. (24 June 2011) 

(left) Hard-working "A"-Team Rep David Clifford takes it like a man.
(right) Joi Clifford dishes out hugs for Rachel Klump (9-10). (24 June 2011)

(left) It's good to the last drop for Courtney Worden (9-10) and Nadia Fogg (13-14).
(right) Elizabeth Haley (8&U) worked hard and earned her sprinkles! (24 June 2011)

18 June 2011-Records Fall as Chargers
Bolt to the Finish!

Claire Ryland goes 21.13 in Backstroke to break the pool and 38-year old team record. (18 June 2011)

Refreshed by Friday evening's cooling rain storm and new lane ropes, the Charger pool was fast and so were the Chargers. Charger swimmers posted 96 best times Saturday morning in the first dual "A" meet of the 2011 MCSL Division J season against Carderock Springs. Seasoned swimmers and newbies alike gave their best effort in the pool to contribute to the 429-347 win, and the Hawaiian-themed "Aloha" banner filled with best-time pineapples throughout the morning.

Highlights include multiple record-breaking performances by eight year old Claire Ryland in the Girls 8U 25M Freestyle (16.49), 25M Backstroke (21.13), and 25M Breaststroke (23.5). Claire's swims earned her THREE team and TWO pool records. The 38 year-old backstroke record was one of the longest standing on the pool's record board, posted in 1973 by Karen Schlegel. Congratulations Claire!

Three Calverton swimmers achieved MCSL All Star times: Claire Ryland in the 8&U Girls 25M Freestyle (16.49), 25M Backstroke (21.13), and 25M Breaststroke (23.5); Nick Stauder dropped over four seconds in the Boys 11-12 50M Backstroke (37.29) to earn his first Allstar nominating time of the season; and Abbey Holmes in the 13-14 Girls 100 IM (1:15:09) and 50M Breaststroke (38.23).

Colleen Tracey (12) and Avery Khandagle (11) "swam up" to help the team and held their own in the 13-14 age group. "I'm proud of their willingness to swim against older competition," said Coach Tony Murray. And, eight year old Riley Khandagle capped off his first meet of the season by taking a huge first place in the Boys 8&U 25M Butterfly.

"There was really a positive atmosphere to the meet," noted Coach Tony. Congratulations to the Chargers for giving their best effort in the pool and earning their first win of the 2011 season. GO Chargers!

David Clifford, Kasey Banks, and CJ Rager lead the Chargers and get the electricity going! (18 June 2011)

 Charger Girls (left to right) Elizabeth Haley, Katya Melendez, and Kiely Hutchcroft. (18 June 2011)

Setting the tone for Saturday's meet with opening and half-time cheers are
(left to right) 15-18's Kevin Tracey, CJ Rager, and Andrew Heiss. (18 June 2011)