Last Tuesday night, the undefeated WGCC Lightning swimmers traveled across the river to take on one of their Division A rivals, Congressional Country Club. The power and speed of the Lightning proved too much for the Congressional Seals – WGCC won, 328-152.
The Lightning not only won the majority of events, they showed the depth of their team by sweeping numerous events. Of particular note were the swims put in by the 10U boys' group of Jack Carman, Paddy McCarthy, Alex Gerlach, Luke Bernasek, Cab Fooshe, and Liam Thomson, and the 12U girls' group of Jillian Johnson, Caroline Otteni, Sarah DeMeglio, Kate Burke, Grace Darcey, and Charlotte Thomson. Both of these groups put together 1-2-3 finishes in all of their individual events.
Ryan Baker continued to swim in record-setting fashion – his time of 27.45 in the boys’ 18U 50-meter backstroke established a new team record for WGCC. Baker broke his own time that he had set earlier this season.
Triple winners for WGCC were: Jillian Johnson (girls’ 12U IM, back, fly); Ollie Bernasek (boys’ 12U IM, back, fly); Conner McCarthy (boys’ 8U free, breast, fly); Avery Nassetta (girls’ 10U free, back, breast) and Jack Carman (boys’ 10U free, breast, fly). Double winners were: Caroline Otteni (girls’ 12U free, breast); Carson Wood (boys’ 14U free, back); and Cate Barrett (girls’ 14U back, breast). Single winners were: Chris Outlaw (boys’ 18U free); Sean Curran (boys’ 8U back); Alex Gerlach (boys’ 10U back); Ryan Baker (boys’ 18U back); Angus Ricks (boys’ 12U breast); Richard Gentry (boys’ 14U breast); Sophie Yoder (girls’ 10U fly); Petie Nassetta (girls’ 14U fly); and Thomas Outlaw (boys’ 14U fly).
The following relay teams won their events: girls’ junior medley (Jillian Johnson, GG Richmond, Helen Otteni, Pearson Shay); boys’ junior medley relay (Thomas Outlaw, Angus Ricks, Jack Carman, Conner McCarthy); girls’ senior medley (Cate Barrett, Faith Palmer, Caroline Otteni, Avery Nassetta); and the boys’ mixed age free relay (Conner McCarthy, Jack Carman, Ollie Bernasek, Carson Wood, Ryan Baker).
This week, the Battle of Glebe Road takes place on Tuesday night as WGCC takes on Arlington’s Army-Navy, the only other Virginia team in the top division of the CCSDA. Then, on Thursday night, the Lightning return to Army-Navy where the five teams of Division A will compete in Divisional Relays.