Week Two: Bridlewood BWaves vs. Lake Ridge Lancers
By Contributor Brenten Gilbert
All Photos – Credit: Colleen Corrado
It’s been three years since the Bridlewaves and Lancers met in a dual meet and a lot can happen in three years. In 2016, the BWaves were just beginning to rise through the ranks to take their turn at the top divisions, while Lake Ridge, with its vaunted history as a perennial powerhouse had settled back into the Green Division. This year, Bridlewood sits atop the Red Division, and the Lancers spent much of the off-season trying to secure a practice facility as their home pool was expected to close.
Fortunately, the pool reopened and the Lancers have entered the 2019 season as a Yellow Division contender. They face a tough schedule and have a smaller lineup than normal, but they bring an infectious positive attitude to each meet and Saturday’s contest was no different.
The BWaves started out quickly and gained an early lead which they never relinquished, but the meet was marked by great competition and comradery. The theme of the week – the Future is Looking Bright – hit home for the BWaves as they, once again, said farewell to some seniors swimming in their final home meet. Daniel Gardner returned to swim and coach on the team for his final season after his freshman year at JMU where he is studying to be a secondary education professional.
Senior Erin Quinn, familiar to any who keep up with the league records, will be joining Virginia Tech in the fall where she will swim on the team and study Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise.
If those goodbyes weren’t emotional enough, BWaves Assistant Coach Jeremiah Johnson welcomed home his daughter, US Navy Master-At-Arms M-A-S-R Michael after 6 months away at Boot Camp and A-School as a surprise to her sisters and BWaves swimmers, Madison Michael and Jai Johnson.
The final tally was 3172 to 1907 as the BWaves racked up the second highest point total for the week. The 11-12 Girls Medley Relay team of Madalyn Witt, Maecy Wells, Cordelia Simms, and Makenzie Witt accounted for the lone BWaves record as they lowered last week’s mark from 1:06.21 to 1:05.59.
The BWaves head to Sudley next week, while the Lancers face off against Kingsbrooke.