Season previews of indoor track and swimming,
Editor’s note: The Peninsula District and Chesapeake and Portsmouth schools canceled winter sports this week. Information on those schools’ teams is included in this report to recognize the athletes.
Five storylines
The next level
Because of the pandemic, the senior class of 2020 wasn’t able to savor normal proms or graduations. But at least the 2020 high school swimming season — unlike its NCAA counterpart — finished before mass cancellations began. Among the Hampton Roads stars from that class, some are now on college rosters. Among the best men: Ocean Lakes alum Kendall Ewing and Lafayette graduate Sam Long for North Carolina, Landstown product Alex Neff for Virginia Tech and Grassfield graduate Heath Lewis for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Among the elite women: First Colonial product Elle Caldow with Tennessee, Lafayette graduate Colby Hurt for Auburn, Tabb product Tristan Harrison at Ohio State, York graduate Hannah Garner for Florida Atlantic and two now at Northeastern: Sofia Long (Sam’s sister) from Lafayette and Alyssa Reilly from York.
Missing the Williamsburg area
Lafayette and Jamestown consistently are among the state’s best swimming programs, and Warhill has provided memorable moments in the past few years. But because of Williamsburg-James City County Schools’ decision not to take part in winter sports, they aren’t competing this season. Many swimmers and coaches understandably have been anxious, wondering if their school systems will let them jump into the pool for competition.
New champs in the SED?
Grassfield’s boys and girls have dominated the Southeastern District in recent years, but the Grizzlies lost numerous fast swimmers to graduation. Grassfield coach Eric Henniker said Hickory and Western Branch have the top boys teams in the SED this season and hopes his team can compete with them. In girls competition, the Hawks have several state qualifiers back and should be formidable.
Living virtually
Norfolk Academy annually provides some of Hampton Roads’ best teams. Coach Kristen Kirkman, who guided the Bulldogs’ boys and girls, is ebullient about her junior class, which she hopes can take the program even beyond last season’s Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association finishes of fifth for boys and fourth for girls. “Although most of the season will be virtual meets, we are creating competition within the team. It will make for a fun season,” she said. In virtual meets, swimmers race at different locations, then their times are compared for scoring purposes.
Defending the crown
After dropping from Class 6 to 5 last season, First Colonial’s girls harnessed their considerable talent in capturing the VHSL state team title. Senior Samantha Tadder and junior Sophia Knapp lead the Patriots, who will have the opportunity to repeat, thanks to a host of year-round swimmers.
Five swimmers you should know Samantha Tadder, First Colonial
The senior has committed to Stanford, and she could be the state’s best female Class 5 swimmer. Last season, she won the VHSL title in the 500-yard freestyle (in 4 minutes, 44.17 seconds) and was the 200 individual medley runner-up (1:57.41), earning All-America honors in both events. She also swam on victorious 200 and 400 free relays to spark the Patriots to the state team championship.
Kayla Wilson, Norfolk Academy
The junior has earned her ticket to the U.S. Olympic Trials, but she first wants to continue boosting the Bulldogs. In last season’s VISAA championships, she won all four events she could enter. She set a meet record of 1:47.06 in the 200-yard freestyle, won the 500 free in 4:53.00 and guided Norfolk Academy to first in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Zane Roberts, Western Branch
The senior should compete for more Class 6 state honors and could give the Bruins a reasonable chance for the Southeastern District team title. Last season, he was third in the state 50 freestyle final (20.76) and fifth in the 100 free (46.23).
Clayton Whetstine, Norfolk Academy
Whetstine, who grew up in Newport News and qualified for U.S. Open competition, is one of numerous standout juniors for the Bulldogs. In last season’s VISAA championships, he won the 100 backstroke and was third in the 200 individual medley.
Sophia Knapp, First Colonial
The junior came into her own last season in the Patriots’ state championship quest. In the Class 5 championships, she was second in the 500 freestyle, third in the 200 free and part of FC’s gold-medal 200 and 400 free relays.