Rockville

ROCKVILLE 408, TILDEN WOODS 383

(Submitted by Rays' Team Rep Matt Truong)

The earlier morning sun casts its rays through the trees and hits the pool, the water is crystal clear, and the air is fresh.  But today is not like any other mornings at the Rockville Montgomery Swimming Center pool.  It?s the MCSL meet between the long time rival -  Rockville Rays and Tilden Woods Dolphins. 

As the Rays entered the pool dressed in superheroes costumes, masks, and capes, they immediately removed their masks, put on their swim goggles and hit the pool at 7:30 sharp.  By 8:15, the Dolphins Greek Olympians dressed in togas, wreaths, and sandals paraded into the pool.  Of course, they immediate removed their togas, revealing their jammers and technical suits. 

After completing the Boys 12 & Under 100M IM, the 10-year old Nozomi Horikawa walked around the pool and lined up for the 9-10 years old 50M Freestyle.  His friend and competitor, Devin Truong, walked up on the next lane, ready for battle.  With years of experience, Nozomi had better reaction time and got the advantage at the start.  However, Devin caught up as they both flipped synchronously at the wall.  Devin?s indomitable spirit got him at 31.40 sec while Nozomi touched the wall at 32.02 sec.  The crowed cheered, inhaling oxygen again. 

For other 15-18 year old events, there were empty lanes where Rays should be.  Yet no one seemed to be curious or questioned such lack of participation. 

For the Boys 13-14 year old IM, the 13-year old Rays Harrison Gu put on a great effort to compete with older and bigger competition.  His effort paid off with a respectable second place of 1:06.08 sec.  He was bested only by 14-year old Dolphins Garrett Powell with an impressive time of 1:04.17 sec. 

While the Rays head coach, Christine Chuang, giving some advice an 8-year old swimmer, her cell phone rang.  ?Where are you?? Christine asked. ?I?m about 20 minutes away.  What?s the score?? from the other end of the phone. ?About dead even,? said Christine.  ?We?ll be there in 15.?  The person on the other side of the phone was her sister, Cara Chuang, in transit with other Rays seniors coming back from the PVS Senior Champion meet at UMD.  On the other line, Michael Fu, with a fever of 102 degrees told Christine that he?s coming in for the Breaststroke event. 

At half time, Rays gathered near the diving board and performing their cheer routines while Dolphins put on an elaborate and spectacular half-time show, lighten up the intense mood at the Rockville pool.  George Haibel, Rays announcer, turned on the microphone and delivered the score at half time. Rays: 206 ? Dolphins: 206.  The crowed roared! 

For the Boys 15-18 IM, Dolphins Eric Friedland, confidently swam with poised and eased of a true Olympian with a time of 1:02.17 sec with no major challengers in sight.   

Not having time to warm up, Cara Chuang responded with a first place in Girls 15-18 years old 100IM.  Rays fans seems to be more relaxed. 

For the Boys 8 & Under Breaststroke, the familiar pale kid with yellow cap stepped up to lane 3.  It?s none other than Dophins Timmy Ellett, comfortably preparing to lower his recent MCSL record.  Next to him on lane 4 is a 6-year old Rays swimmer named Darius Truong looking to lower his seed time.  After 20.23 sec after the starting beep, Ellett accomplished his goal.  

Under the circumstance, Michael Fu earned several points for Rays by taking the second spot in Boys 15-18 50M Breast.  Friedland glided his way to the first place.

After a long and excruciating 15 minutes wait while automation entered the score, checked and rechecked by several officials, the announcer spoke with authority, paused once again for effect, ?Rays 408 ? Tilden Woods 383?.  As people excitedly or disappointedly leaving the pool, one swimmer yelled out, ?We?ll see you next year!? 

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The Rockville Rays, a summer competitive swimming program offered by
the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks, have
participated in the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) since 1984.
Children, ages 5-18, capable of swimming 25 meters are welcome to
join us at the Rockville Swim and Fitness center. Our program of
practices, meets and pool fun starts in late May and ends in late July.

For more information, visit our website at http://rockvillerays.us/