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Week 5 - The Ultimate Showdown
The weather was hot, the water was hotter, and the swimming was blazing fast. The ultimate showdown for the 2011 NVSL Division 1 title took place Saturday July 23rd at Overlee. Both the Overlee Flying Fish and the Chesterbrook Tiger Sharks had 4-0 records. The Tiger Sharks wanted to keep the Division 1 Title, but a determined Overlee had focused on retaking the Division 1 title they'd held from 2006-2009. The competition between these two swim teams is always tense, and each brings their best to the ultimate showdown!
Due to the unseasonably hot weather, both teams agreed to an earlier start time than usual. So, after warm-ups and senior recognition, the dual in the pool began. Chesterbrook swimmers came out strong, winning the first 7 freestyle events. Suzanne Dolan (13-14) would provide the first win of the meet for Overlee, which was quickly followed by wins from 15-18 swimmers Torey Ortmayer and Katie Bennett. At the end of the freestyle races Overlee and Chesterbrook were knotted at 45 apiece.
The backstroke events began with a Chesterbrook win as Andrew Bernstein took the 8 & under boys 25m back. But Overlee’s Sophie Yoder (8 & Under) would capture the girls 25 meter backstroke race with teammate Kate Bailey coming in second. The one-two punch would carry through several more races with Isabella Lee and Anna Polise (11-12) and Megan and Kaleigh Day (13-14) repeating the first & second place wins in their respective races. Katie Bennett won the 15-18 girls backstroke race denying Nowell Boardman a first place. The backstroke race of the day was in the boys 13-14 age group between OVL's Ryan Baker (30.01) and CB's Chris Outlaw (30.83). Baker swam a fierce race to out-touch Chris Outlaw at the finish. The win was even sweeter as Baker broke a team record set exactly 6 years ago to the day by Tyler Gehrs (30.06). This was the first record of the Overlee’s dual meet season. By the end of the backstroke, Overlee had moved into the lead, 96-84.
Chesterbrook fought back in breaststroke, winning the first three of four races. But Paul Kinsella (9-10) would come from behind and win his race by 5/100’s of a second over Nick Spicer. Michaela Morrison (11-12) started the succession of breaststroke first places that would turn the tide for Overlee. Morrison's win was quickly followed by a first place swim by Timothy Aldinger (13-14) and then a one-two punch by Suzanne Dolan and Megan Day, a valuable addition to the team points. By the time OVL's Rachel Robertson (37.72) swam to a fast first against Alston Offutt (37.94) in 15-18 breaststroke, Overlee had a slight lead.
Again Chesterbrook would fight back in butterfly with Thomas Outlaw (9-10) winning the boys 25m fly and lowering the 2008 pool record of 15.70 to a fast 15.38. After Chesterbrook won both the 9-10 races, Overlee began the shock and awe pounding. Nick Pasternak and Jonathan Day (11-12) delivered another one-two combo. Next Michaela Morrison (11-12) would out-touch Sabrina Kersten 32.32 to 32.58. Ryan Baker won his second event of the day in 13-14 fly. OVL's Andrew Loranger followed Baker’s first with a quick second place of 30.81. Katherine Lundy (13-14) and Katie Kinsella would come in first and third, as would Nicholas Brooks (15-18) and Torey Ortmayer. Izzy Pasternak and Amanda Didawick add a second and third place for Overlee. Overlee moved into the relays needing only five wins.
Chesterbrook fought back capturing the 8 & under boys. The Overlee 8 & under girls decided that was enough and promptly won their race. But the battle waged on with both of the 9-10 relays going to Chesterbrook, with their boys setting a new NVSL 100m medley relay record. Then the OVL 11-12 boys team of Jonathan Day, John Aldinger, Nick Pasternak and Demetri Nicholakos came from behind and upset the heavily favored Chesterbrook team as Nicholakos out- touched Duncan Green by 1/100 of a second. The 11-12 OVL girls team of Isabelle Lee, Michaela Morrison, Ellie Ridgeway, and Anna Polise swam to another heart- stopping win over the Chesterbrook girls, winning 1:05:68 to 1:05:74.
The 13-14 Boys relay added number four. The meet was won when the girls 13-14 relay team of Megan Day, Suzanne Dolan, Katherine Lundy, and Lauren Allard swam to a win to the jubilation of the home crowd, filled with many swimming alumni. The Overlee 15-18 boys added one more for good measure. In the end Overlee regained the Division 1 title 210.5 to 191.5 and their 27th NVSL Division 1 Title.
Double Winners:
Single Winners:
Week 4 - Meet of the Century
As the Overlee vs. Tuckahoe meet concluded, the Tuckahoe announcer said, “Alright, how about that for a “Meet of the Century?” Fantastic swimming….boys and girls…. both teams, fantastic meet we had today!”
Week 4 paired up two of the NVSL's best swim teams. Overlee knew they had a battle before them as they traveled to McLean. July 16this a day that will be remembered in Division 1 history, with two equally matched NVSL teams swimming their best right to the last race. The spectators in attendance witnessed a tremendous swim meet, the kind that’s discussed long after swimmers age out of the NVSL.
Although friendly, tension and anxiety could be felt upon Overlee’s arrival at Tuckahoe. After warm-ups, and the national anthem, the duel in the pool began. Tuckahoe seized an early lead winning every 1st place finish until the boys 13-14 freestyle was won by Overlee’s Timothy Aldinger. With the Overlee mojo flowing, Suzanne Dolan made it two first place finishes, winning the 13-14 girls freestyle. At the conclusion of the freestyle events Overlee and Tuckahoe were tied 45-45.
Tuckahoe is a strong backstroke competitor and the first 4 races went to their swimmers. Overlee’s 11-12 swimmer Jonathan Day touched out Chase Brown of Tuckahoe to win by 22 hundreds of a second. The crowd went wild. Soon after, Ryan Baker, (OVL 13-14), swam to a first place and a personal best time of 30.42. The crowd kept cheering and encouraging right through the 15-18 boys backstroke win by Nicholas Brooks, and a very close race between Eva Greene and Katie Bennett in the 15-18 girls. At the end of backstroke, Tuckahoe was ahead 97 to Overlee’s 83.
Breaststroke began with 8 & under Ryan York (OVL) winning first place. Paul Kinsella (9-10) assisted in putting more points toward the score for Overlee. Things began to look like they were going Tuckahoe’s way again until the Overlee Knock-Out Team appeared on deck. First, Michaela Morrison (11-12) placed first to a cheering Overlee crowd. Then Timothy Aldinger and Andrew Loranger, (13-14 boys), placed first and second respectively. The 13-14 girls team of Suzanne Dolan, Lauren Allard and Katherine Lundy swept their event, adding many points to the Overlee score. The competitive breaststroke races continued through the 15-18 girls with Overlee's Rachel Robertson winning first and Megan Day tying Tuckahoe’s Adrienne Harlow for second. When breaststroke concluded Overlee was still behind 128-142.
As the butterfly heats began, each athlete knew they had to swim like they had never done so before. The Boys 9-10 butterfly started the tally increase for Overlee with Sam Ellison winning first and John Thomas Dolan placing second. Next came the 11-12 boys fly with Nicholas Pasternak and Jonathan Day repeating the 1-2 win for Overlee. Michaela Morrison (girls 11-12) and Izzy Pasternak (girls 15-18) provided much needed first place finishes. The 13-14 boys Overlee team of Ryan Baker, Sean Coleman, and Nicholas Morales swept. At the end of Butterfly, Overlee emerged in the lead 175-167.
With the meet so close going into the relays, every point scored would decide the final fate of both these teams. Tuckahoe took an early lead winning the first four relays. Then an Overlee NVSL #1 All Star seeded relay took to the pool. The team of Isabella Lee, Michaela Morrison, Ellie Ridgeway, and Anna Polise started Overlee’s winning ways. Overlee won the next four events including the 13-14 boys and girls and the boys 15-18 relays. Overlee was looking good & needed one more first to secure the meet win. But an unexpected twist of fate began to dash Overlee's hopes as Tuckahoe’s 15-18 girls relay finished first, and the boys 18 & under mixed-age relay was out-touched by 3 one-hundredths of a second. The wait for the 15-18 girls race to begin seemed interminable as the times on the previous relay were double checked. Overlee's leadoff swimmer, Michaela Morrison (11-12), started evenly but blasted her second length to best Tuckahoe’s Evie Giesman. Ten-year-old Maggie Shipley hung on, determined to stay even with a fast Leah Horan. Suzanne Dolan's (13-14) strong swim provided enough of a lead for Katie Bennett (15-18) to take-off and hold on down the lane to out-touch Eva Greene in an astounding finish. The place went wild as Overlee won 1:59:44 to 1:59:75. An incredible race for both teams with Overlee’s Mixed Aged Girls upsetting the NVSL League Leader Mixed Age Relay and providing the win 205-197.
Overlee Double Winners are: Timothy Aldinger 13-14 Boys 50M Free & Breast, Ryan Baker 13-14 Boys 50M Back & Fly, Suzanne Dolan 13-14 50M Free & Breast, and Michaela Morrison 11-12 Girls 50M Breaststroke & Fly. Single winner are: Nicholas Brooks 15-18 50M Boys Back, Sam Ellison 9-10 25M Fly, Jonathan Day 11-12 50 M Back, Paul Kinsella 9-10 50M Breaststroke, Isabelle Pasternak 15-18 50M Girls Fly, Nick Pasternak 15-18 50M Fly, Rachel Robertson 15-18 50M Breaststroke, and Ryan York Boys 8 and Under Breaststroke.
Week 3 - The Battle of the O's
Week 3 in the NVSL brought the Battle of Overlee vs. Oakton to the first division. New to Division 1 this season, Oakton won several swims and relays throughout the meet but in the end Overlee’s depth and balance won the “Battle of the O’s” scoring 282-120.
The first home meet started with a win for Overlee’s Flying Fish as Ryan York won the Boys 8 & Under Free. Next came three sweeps in the 9-10 Boys and Girls and the 13-14 Girls Freestyle races. By the end of the freestyle, Overlee had a commanding lead winning in 9 of 10 events. The 9-10 Boys Age Group led in overall points, with the 11-12 and 13-14 Girls tying for a close second. When the meet ended Overlee had won a total of 38 out of 50 events.
Overlee’s five double winners this week were: Ryan Baker (13-14 50M Free and Back), Katie Bennett (15-18 50M Free and Back), Suzanne Dolan (13-14 50M Free and Breast), Sam Ellison (9-10 50M Free and 25M Fly), and Michaela Morrison (11- 12 50M Breast and Fly). Overlee had 19 single winners this week: John Aldinger (11-12 50M Breast), Timothy Aldinger (13-14 Boys 50M Breast), Lindsey Bowers (9-10 50M Back), Nicholas Brooks (15-18 50M Fly), Jonathan Day (11-12 50M Back), Megan Day (13-14 50M Back), John Thomas Dolan (9-10 50M Back), Isabella Lee (11-12 50 M Back), Andrew Loranger (13-14 50 M Fly), Torey Ortmayer (15-18 50M Free), Kayle Park (9-10 50 M Breast), Izzy Pasternak (15-18 50M Fly), Nick Pasternak (11-12 50M Fly), Anna Polise (11-12 50M Free), Rachel Robertson (15-18 50M Breast), Maggie Shipley (9-10 50 Free), John Sondheim (8 & Under 25M Back), Ian Vroom (8 & Under Boys 25M Breast), and Ryan York (8 & Under 25M Free).
Week 2 - Flying Fish Swim Over Green Feet
To begin the Fourth of July weekend, the Overlee vs. Hamlet Meet started with an impressive rendition of the National Anthem. Week 2 of NVSL swimming was explosive and both teams provided several races with lots of sizzle. The 4th of July fireworks started early with Overlee’s 8 and Under Boys 25 Free swimmers, Ryan York and John Sondheim placing first and second respectively for the Flying Fish. Both team’s youngest swimmers had several close races. When the meet ended, Overlee boys won 13 events and 6 relays and the girls won 11 events and 4 relays. This week, the 9-10 Girls Age Group led in overall points followed by the 9 & 10 Boys, with 13-14 Girls and 15-18 Boys tying for 3rd place. In the end, Overlee topped Hamlet 276-126.
Although Overlee swept Hamlet in 4 events, and won 10 of 12 relays, the Green Feet provided several races that had spectators cheering wildly. Some of the most competitive races were: 8 and Under Girls Freestyle Anjali Krishnan vs. Emilia Ridgeway, the Boys 15-18 Free sweep team of Bryan Kress, Torey Ortmayer, and Matthew Essig, Girls 13-14 Suzanne Dolan vs. Fiona Muir, Girls 15-18 Free and Back races with Abi Speers vs. Katie Bennett, and the Boys 15-18 Back with Nicholas Brooks beating out Alex Brumas for first and Overlee’s Jimmy Linek coming in a close 3rd for the final point.
Overlee’s six Double Winners were: Ryan Baker (13-14 50M Back & 50M Fly), Nicholas Brooks (15-18M Back & 50M Fly), Sam Ellison (9-10 50M Back & 25 M Fly), Michaela Morrison (11-12 50M Free & 50M Breast), Nick Pasternak (11-12 50M Free & 50 M Fly), and Maggie Shipley (9-10 50M Free & 25 M Fly). Single winners for Overlee: Lauren Allard (13-14 50M Breast), Katie Bennett (15-18 50M Back), Lindsey Bowers (9-10 50M Back), Jonathan Day (11-12 50M Back), Amanda Didawick (15-18 50M Fly), John Thomas Dolan (9-10 50M Free), Suzanne Dolan (13-14 50M Free), Paul Kinsella (9-10 50M Breast), Katherine Lundy (13-14 50M Fly), Torey Ortmayer (15-18 50M Free), Ellie Ridgeway (11-12 50M Fly), and Ryan York (8 and Under 25 Free).
Overlee will celebrate the Fourth of July with fun and games on Monday and then host their first home meet this season with the new to Division 1 team, Oakton Swim and Racquet on July 9th.
Week 1 - Flying Fish Soar Over Marlins
The 2011 NVSL season kicked off with the “Battle of the Fish”. Overlee’s Flying Fish traveled to McLean Swim and Tennis Club to compete against first time Division 1 Marlins. After a strong start by the McLean Marlins 8 & Under Boys and Girls, Overlee’s first sweep of the day came from the Girls 9 and 10 year old swimmers. The final score was 251-151 with Overlee winning 32 of 50 events.
Overlee’s 13-14 Girls scored the greatest amount of overall points, with the 9-10 Girls a close second, followed by 9-10 Boys in third. Overlee had 5 double winners: Katie Bennett (15-18 Free & Back), Suzanne Dolan (13-14 Free & Back), Sam Ellison (9-10 Free & Fly), Katherine Lundy (13-14 Breast & Fly), and Maggie Shipley (9-10 50 Free & 25 Fly). The 12 single event winners were: Timothy Aldinger (13-14 Breast), Ryan Baker (13-14 Fly), Lindsey Bowers (9-10 Back), Nicholas Brooks (15-18 Fly), Jonathan Day (11-12 Back), John Thomas Dolan (9-10 Back), Paul Kinsella (9-10 Breast), Jimmy Linek (15-18 Back), Michaela Morrison (11-12 Breaststroke), Torey Ortmayer (15-18 Free), Kayle Park (9-10 Breaststroke), and Nick Pasternak (11-12 Fly). Notable finishes were: 11-12 Boys Backstroke with Jonathan Day out reaching Timothy Wu, and Ryan Baker 13-14 Boys Fly touching out Justin Nguyen.
Overlee won a total of 10 out of 12 relays. The 18 & Under 200 SC Meter Freestyle Mixed Age Relay was exciting with Overlee Senior Torey Ortmayer racing down the lane to beat out formidable opponent Danny Mittel of the McLean Marlins on the finish. The Mixed Age combination of Nick Pasternak, Sam Ellison, Andrew Loranger, and Torey Ortmayer had the crowd cheering wildly.
Next up, Overlee hosts fellow Arlington swim team, Donaldson Run for a Monday Meet on 6/27/10. On July 2nd, Overlee will head back to McLean to take on the Green Feet of Hamlet.
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