2016 Eastern Zone LC Championship – Day 1

by Rich Sanidad

The PVS team began Zones with a bang, jumping out to a 525 to 355 lead over Virginia Swimming, Inc. (VSI) after one day of competition. Metropolitan is the host Local Swimming Committee (LSC), and is sitting in third place, right behind VSI with 354 points.

To this point, the story of the meet is the boys group of the PVS team, who have amassed 355 points. The next best group of boys is from the New Jersey Swimming Zone Team, who have collected 163 points. The PVS boys are currently led by Liam Redman (age 12) with 29 individual points. He did this by placing fourth in the 100 meter Freestyle and winning his other two events – including a thrilling come from behind win in the 100 meter Butterfly, out touching Jaedan Yburan of New Jersey by 0.01 seconds. Liam’s other win was in the 200 meter Backstroke. Liam was also on the Boys 11 – 12 200 meter Freestyle relay team (see below).

The Boys 15 – 18 group is also contributing to the winning effort, including putting five swimmers in the 100 meter Breaststroke final: Meek Davis, Tyler Ellis, Richard Gentry, Patrick Kuhlkin, and John Sita. The boys took second place through sixth place, respectively, earning 35 out of a possible 56 points in that event.

Other notable swimmers who made two individual finals last night:

• Jill Berger: Girls 11 – 12 100 meter Freestyle and 100 meter Butterfly
• Margaret Shi: Girls 11 – 12 200 meter Backstroke and 100 meter Butterfly
• Cole Greenberg: Boys 11 – 12 200 meter Backstroke and 100 meter Freestyle
• Andrew Blusiewicz: Boys 11 – 12 200 meter Backstroke and 50 meter Breaststroke
• Duncan Proxmire: Boys 15 – 18 100 meter Freestyle and 200 meter Butterfly

PVS also had wins in the following final events:

• Jack Moore: Boys 13 – 14 100 meter Freestyle
• Cassandra Sanidad: Girls 15 – 18 100 meter Breaststroke
• Liam Redman, Justin Singletary, Cole Greenberg, Johnny Bradshaw: Boys 11 – 12 200 meter Freestyle Relay

The 10 and under swimmers do not swim in the evening finals session, but are also earning their share of the points. Winners of individual events include:

• Courtney Watts: 100 meter Freestyle
• Jordan Evans: 50 meter Breaststroke
• Michael Mullen: 100 meter Butterfly

The kids are showing a lot of team spirit and enthusiasm. Day 2 looks to be another exciting day for the PVS team!