Riptide Remains Unbeaten

The Virginia Run Riptide set off plenty of July 5th fireworks at the Mosby Woods Pool on Saturday besting the Raiders 231 to 189.  Exemplifying the meet theme “Spirit of America” 48 swimmers recorded 59 personal bests, with the 15-18 girls medley relay of Chloe Hicks, Skyla Davidson, Mia Newkirk, and Serena Emanuel setting a new team record of 2:09.39 and Leo Wang setting a team record in 13-14 breaststroke of 32.94. 

The freestyle events were very competitive with lead changes and close races.  The 8&under boys started strong with an event sweep lead by Charles Beamon first, William Whitton second and Davis Collinsworth third.  The 8&under girls swam strong with Neha Srinivasan placing second and Natalie Orwat third.  Jason Cheifetz placed second and Maddie Whitton took first to rack up crucial 9-10 points.  Anthony Arcomona swam to a first to win the only 11-12 points.  The Riptide’s momentum was grabbed by the 13-14 boys with Geoffrey Eisenhart taking first and Jordan Banzon second, following by Didi Pace winning first for 13-14 girls.  In the 15-18 age group, Nick McGrath was second and Johnny Pace third, while Chloe Hicks finished first and Mia Newkirk third.   So by the end of the freestyle, the Riptide has a slight lead over the Raiders of 49-41.

As the backstrokers took to their lanes, the tension mounted.  One again the 8&under boys accepted the challenge and swept the event with William Whitton first, Logan Dahm second and Ryder Hicks third.  After posting personal bests Natalie Orwat took second and Owen Thomas third for additional 8&under points.  Andrew Boyle took second and Owen Thomas third, while Caitlin Kelliher took second and Valerie Tonnu third for the 9-10s.  Anthony Arcomona and Olivia Masterson (11-12s) captured firsts to keep the meet close.  When the 13-14 year olds pushed off, the point spread began to flow in favor of the Riptide with Geoffrey Eisenhart taking a first and Charlie Gunn second for the boys and Chanel Cogan winning second and Lauren Stovall third for the girls.  A win by Joey Castro and Chloe Hicks in the 15-18 year old group helped to widen the Riptide lead to 102 to 78 at the conclusion of the back stroke. 

With a larger point spread favoring the Riptide, the breaststrokers began their events.  For the 8&unders Charles Beamon took second and Griffin Osterhout third, and the girls achieved identical results with Laney Zimmerman in second and Allison Nguyen in third.  For 9-10 boys Michael Hart swam a personal best to win first with Andrew Boyle taking third.  For 9-10 girls Emily Jon placed second and Nora Collinsworth third with both posting best times.  William Beamon and Olivia Masterson both won their 11-12 breaststroke  races with Jack Liskey claiming a third.  Joel Cheifetz captured second and Thomas Beamon third while Did Pace took first and Lauren Stovall third in the 13-14 year old events.  Swimming up an age group didn’t faze Leo Wang as he won the 15-18 race with Patrick Kearney taking a third.  In the ladies 15-18 Skyla Davidson placed second and Serena Emanuel third. 

As the butterfly began the Riptide led by 32 points.  First place finishes were achieved by Maddie Whitton (9-10), William Beamon (9-10), Leo Wang (13-14) and Joey Castro (15-18).  Ella Thomas (8&under), Jason Cheifetz (9-10), Chanel Cogan (13-14) and Mia Newkirk (15-18) swam strong to capture seconds while Logan Dahm (8&under), Laney Zimmerman (8&under), Sean Gunn (9-10), Tessa Orwat (9-10), Catie Gunn (11-12), Thomas Beamon (13-14), Patrick Kearney (15-18) and Serena Emanuel (15-18) won those important third place points. 

Entering the relay competition the Riptide needed only three wins to secure a meet victory.  The 8&under boys freestyle relay of William Whitton, Davis Collinsworth, Griffin Osterhout, and Charles Beamon led off with a convincing win.  After three straight Mosby Raider wins, the Riptide 11-12 boys relay of Anthony Tonthat, William Beamon, Anthony Arcomona, and Noah Schettini turned the tide with a win.  Achieving a season’s best time the undefeated 13-14 boys relay of Geoffrey Eisenhart, Joel Cheifetz, Thomas Beamon, and Jordon Banzon secured the meet victory for the Riptide.  Winning their races in quick succession were the girls 13-14 relay of Lauren Stovall, Olivia Masterson, Sarah Boyle, and Didi Pace, the boys 15-18 relay of Joey Castro, Leo Wang, Andrew Meredith, and Patrick Kearney, the girls 15-18 relay of Chloe Hicks, Skyla Davidson, Mia Newkirk, and Serena Emanuel, and the boys mixed age relay of Anthony Arcomona, Jason Cheifetz, Geoffrey Eisenhart, and Joey Castro.