The wins have not come easily this winter season for the Herndon High boys’ and girls’ swim and dive teams. Nevertheless, the Hornets, competing in the always tough Concorde District, are showing improvement as the regular season heads into its final few weeks.
The Herndon boys were a well-seasoned, veteran squad a year ago. This year, as a result of the graduation losses of 20 team members, including state-caliber swimmers Brian Via, Danny Camozzo, and Christian Polito, the Hornets entered the current winter season much younger across the board.
Herndon sophomore Conor Cudahy has been a nice bright spot for the Herndon boys. He has earned a Northern Region qualifier time in the 500-freestyle and is likely to earn a region qualifying time in the 200-freestyle as well.
“I think he should also qualify for states in both his events,” said Herndon head coach Kathy McLaughlin, of Cudahy.
Other strong seasons on the boys’ side have come from sophomore Jonathan Nguyen, who is close to region times in the 100-freestyle and 200-freestyle events, and senior/captain Ryan Williams, who is close to his region times in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle events.
The boys’ 400-freestyle relay team consisting of Nguyen, Williams, Cudahy, and sophomore Brett Petty, have qualified for regions.
“I am hoping that they make it to states,” said coach McLaughlin.
The Herndon boys (1-3) defeated Centreville on Dec. 3. Losses have come to Robinson, Chantilly, and Oakton. The loss to the Cougars, 215-99, came last Friday night at Spring Hill Recreation Center.
<b>THE HERNDON GIRLS</b> have several talented underclassmen swimmers in such team members as Ryan Murphy, Elizabeth McNulty, and Melanie Anderson, all of whom are ninth graders.
Ryan’s prowess in the butterfly event has given the girls’ 200-medley relay team a big boost. Other members of the region-qualifying relay are senior/captain Molly Cudahy, junior Jenna VanCamp, and senior/captain Robin Brazier. The same foursome has qualified for regionals in the 400-free relay as well.
VanCamp has earned the girls’ team’s lone state-qualifying bid thus far – that occurring in the 100-breaststroke event.
Meanwhile, Brazier has qualified for regions in the 200-freestyle, 200-IM and 100-backstroke events.
“She has been my most versatile swimmer,” said McLaughlin, of Brazier.
Cudahy is close to her region qualifying times in the 100-freestyle and 100- backstroke events. Also, Murphy is also close to her qualifying times in the 100- butterfly and 100 backstroke races.
“I am hoping for some more swimmers to qualify for states,” said McLaughlin, of her girls’ squad. “The girls have only beat Centreville but we were close to beating Chantilly.”
The Herndon High teams will celebrate Senior Night this Friday evening, Jan. 14 when they go up against Centreville again. The following Friday night, Jan. 21, will see the Hornets meet Oakton in the regular season finale.
The postseason will officially get underway on Thursday, Jan. 27 with the Concorde District Dive Championships at Audrey Moore Recreation Center. The district swim championships will take place Jan. 28-29 at Cub Run.