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FOUR H2A SWIMMERS QUALIFY FOR SENIOR
SECTIONAL MEET
Hilton Head Aquatics ended its Short Course season at the Speedo
Championship Series Senior Sectional meet at the IUPUI Natatorium
in Indianapolis, March 27-30. Four H2A swimmers qualified for
this meet, which deviated from the traditional 25 yard format to
the 50 meter format in order to allow swimmers to make Olympic
Trial cuts. Though the H2A swimmers were some of the youngest
participants, they each achieved many best times and placed well in
the meet. Fourteen year old Courtney Collett made it to finals
in 2 events. She had an 8th place medal
finish in the 800 meter Free, swimming the distance event in
9:25.26. Collett finished 24th in the 400 M Free finals
event. Sixteen year old Fallon Kelley swam finals in 2 events:
the 50 and 100 meter Free. Kelley achieved a 22nd place finish
in the 50 Free with a time of 27.82. She swam a time trial in
the 50 M Free in a best time of 27.74, qualifying her for
NCSA Junior Nationals and Charlotte Ultra Swim. Teammate
Camille Felix (age 13) earned a 12th place finish in the 1500 M
Free with a personal best time of 18:13.60. She also earned a 15th
place finish in the 800 M Free swimming it in 9:38.58. Emily
Hammond (age 13) came in 12th in the 800 M Free with a time of
9:34.86 and 17th in the 1500 M Free.
Additional congratulations go to Fallon Kelley and Emily Hammond
for setting four new team long course records during this
meet. Kelley lowered her current team records in the 15-16 age
division in the 50 and 100 M Freestyle events, with times of 27.74
and 1:00.79, respectively. Hammond set two new team records in
the 13-14 age division in the 200 M Backstroke and 400 Individual
Medley events, with times of 2:30.94 and 5:23.15,
respectively.
The team begins training for Long Course, April 7, following a
refreshing one week break.
H2A EARNS HIGH FINISHES AT AGE GROUP
SECTIONALS
The Hilton Head Aquatics swim team attended
the 2008 Southern Zone Age Group Sectionals in Charlotte on March
13 - 18, 2008, returning with several top-10 finishes.
Courtney Collett earned two bronze medals in
the girls 13-14 division 1000 and 1650 Yard Freestyle events. She
added a seventh-place finish in the 500 Y Free
. Collett also set a new short course team record in
the Senior division 1000 Y Freestyle event with a time of
10:23.40.
The team’s highest honors go to eleven
year old Amelia Rzeczycki, who swam to a 2nd place finish in
the 11-12 girls division 1650 Y Free. She also added a 6th place
finish in the 1000 Y Free and 8th in the 500 Y Free.
Camille Felix finished in the top 10 in both
the 1000 and 1650 Y Free events in the 13-14 girls division. Emily
Hammond had a top ten finish in the same division in the 1650 Free.
Hammond also broke a 7 year old short course team record in the
13-14 girls division 200 Y Backstroke event with a time of
2:12.17.
Other team members qualifying for the meet were Courtney Graff,
James Hammond, Cassie and Ryan Ley.
8 & UNDER AND PALMETTO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
RESULTS
With the Hilton Head community’s help in providing
pools for displaced swimmers while repairs were made
to the Island Recreation Center, many Hilton Head Aquatics team
members were able to swim best times at two meets.
H2A’s younger swimmers achieved many top ten finishes at
the 2008 South Carolina 8 and Under Championships March 1 and
2 at the Westside Aquatic center in Greenville, SC.
Leading the way were Lily Kerr and Karah Kurtz who both took home 6
top ten finishes. Following closely were siblings Jacob and
Rachel Jenkins who claimed 5 top ten placements over the 2 day
meet. Matthew Warshaw placed in the top 10 in 4
races and teammates Olivia Allain and Aaron Hoffman each took
one.
Hilton Head Aquatics also sent 17 swimmers to the Palmetto
State Championships in Greenville March 7-9. Siblings Cassie and
Ryan Ley brought home several wins for the team. In the
girls’ 11-12 division, Cassie won the 200 free (2:08.70) and
the 100 breast (1:17.34). She had three second place finishes
in the 200 Breast, 100 fly and 50 fly, two third places (100 IM and
100 back) and one fourth place finish in the 50 free.
Brother Ryan won the male 13-14 500 free (5:14.95) and took second
in the 200 IM.
Other swimmers earning top ten finishes were: Joseph Capin M(3 top
ten finishes), Brenden Ellixson (4), Lilla Felix (6), Madison Field
(7), Ryan Naddy (7), Clayton North (4), Alex Reamy (5), Sara
Reamy (2), Caroline Vaniska (2) and Erica Wammock (3).
The team next sends swimmers to Age Group Sectionals in
Charlotte March 13-16 and Senior Sectionals in
Indianapolis March 27-30.
H2A PERFORMS WELL AT 2008 S.C. SHORT
COURSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Hilton
Head Aquatic
swimmers continued their tradition of making a strong showing at
finals this season during the S.C. Short Course State Championships
Feb. 15 - 18 in Rock Hill, S.C. The team’s highest honors go
to 10 year old James Hammond who secured a first place State
Championship finish for the team in the 500 yard Freestyle event in
5:54.83. Hammond took 2nd in the 200 free, 4th in the 100 Back
and 200 I.M., 5th in the 100 Fly and 100 Free and had 2 other top-
10 finishes.
The 11-12 year girls were led by Amelia Rzeczycki, who had 8 top-10
finishes, including second in the 1,000 and 1,650 Freestyle events,
third in the 500 Free and 200 Fly. Cassie Ley earned 3 top-10
finishes.
In the girls 13 -14 events, Courtney Collett took home three 2nd
place finishes in the 200 Fly (2:12.88), 200 Free (1:57.79) and
1,650 Free (17:39.88). Josie Cuda took 3rd in the 200 Free
(1:58.00) and 500 Free (5:13.74), 8th in the 200 fly (2:16.40) and
9th in the 100 Fly. Emily Hammond finished 10th in the 200 Free
(2:01.16) and tied for 4th in the 500 Free (5:19.62) with teammate
Camille Felix, 5th in the 400 I.M. (4:42.92) and 1,650 Free, and
7th in the 200 Back (2:14.29). Camille Felix secured a 7th in
the 1,650 Free and 9th in the 400 I.M. (4:54.32) In the 1,000
Free, H2A took 3rd (Collett 10:43.58), 4th (Cuda 10:46.01),
5th (Hammond 10:46.55) and 6th (Felix 10:53.32).
Senior swimmer, Fallon Kelley, earned 2 top-10 finishes, 5th in the
50 yard Free (0:25.33) and 7th in the 100 Free
(0:55.02).
2008 SOUTH CAROLINA 8 &
UNDERS STATE MEET
The following team members are eligible to attend the State 8 &
Unders Meet in Greenville, SC:
Olivia Allain, Anna
Capin, Aaron Hoffman, Rachel & Jacob Jenkins, Lily
Kerr,
Karah Kurtz, Griffin Naddy, Emma & Hannah Patrick, Dickie
Speer, and
Matthew Warshaw
Coaches Bill and Scott encourage all eligible swimmers to
participate in this meet. It is a great event for the younger
swimmers. The State divides the swimmers in the following age
groups for awards and scoring purposes: 6 & Unders, 7 Year Olds
and 8 Year Olds.
SENIOR CIRCUIT SWIM MEET - ATHENS,
GA
Hilton Head Aquatics sent 12 swimmers to the University of Georgia
to compete along side former and future Olympians at the Athens
Swim Club Senior Circuit meet January 4-6. UGA is home of the 4
time NCAA champion and 2007 top ranked girls’ swim team.
Racing at the meet with H2A swimmers were Amanda Weir and Kara Lynn
Joyce, both 2004 Olympic Silver medalists and former UGA NCAA
champion team members. Pan American gold medalist and USA Swimming
National Championship third place finalist Kathleen Hersey and 2003
NCAA 200 fly Champion Mary Descenza were included among the
outstanding swimmers competing. Despite the tough competition H2A
swimmer Nicole Menzel turned in four top ten finishes. Menzel
placed third in the 1650 free (17:13.02) and the 500 free (5:00.85)
events. She also took 6th in the 400 IM (4:36.79) and 10th in the
200 free (1:57.04). She also turned in a strong performance in the
200 Back, taking 14th. Teammate Charlie Bolgan placed 6th in the
1650 freestyle and secured a 13th place finish in the 200 fly, 15th
in the 500 free and 19th in the 200 back. Courtney Collett earned a
9th place finish in the 1650 Freestyle, swimming the mile in a
personal best of 17:28.83. Sprinter Fallon Kelly finished the 50
and 100 free in 12th and 17th place. Josie Cuda also placed well
finishing 13th in the 1650 free and 11th in the 500 free. Emily
Hammond also finished in the top 20 in her 1650 free.
Congratulations to Amelia Rzeczycki for achieving a Reportable
National Top-10 Time in her age group.
H2A next sends 48 swimmers January 18-20 to
the ReeboK Winter Classic meet in Savannah for the last meet of the
regular season before the championship meets begin in
February.
RAYS SNOWFLAKE INVITATIONAL & ASL
FALL
Hilton Head Aquatics swimmers recently competed in Augusta, GA, and
Rock Hill, SC. H2A swimmers claimed first place in many events,
while breaking team records, and earning national age group top ten
reportable times in the process. Emily Hammond claimed 6 team
records in the following 11-12 year old events: 100, 500, and 1650
yard freestyle, 100 and 200 yard backstroke, and 200 yard IM.
Hammond also achieved 2 Reportable National Top Ten Times in the
Girl’s 12 year old 1000 and 1650 yard freestyle events.
Camille Felix broke the 11-12 year old 400 IM team record and
earned a Reportable National Top Ten Time in the Girl’s 12
year old 1000 yard freestyle event. Nicole Menzel broke 4 team
records in the 15-16 year old 200, 500, 1000 and 1650 yard
freestyle events. Alex Reamy broke the team record in the 11-12
year old boys’ 1650 yard freestyle event and Charlie Bolgan
broke the teams’ 200 free, 200 fly and 400 IM records.
At the Aiken Augusta swim League Fall Invitational Nov. 16-18,
Courtney Collett won the girls’ 13-14 500 yard freestyle and
14 and Under 1650 yard freestyle events. Josie Cuda placed first in
the 14 and Under 1000 yard freestyle.
The following swimmers took home top 10 honors in various age group
races during this meet:
Charlie Bolgan (7 top ten finishes), Mary Bolgan (3), Joseph Capin
(6), Courtney Collett (9), Josie Cuda(9), Camille Felix (3), Emily
Hammond (2), James Hammond (10), Fallon Kelley (1), Karah Kurtz
(3), Nicole Menzel (8), Clayton North (3), Amelia Rzeczycki (8),
Caroline Vaniska (1), and Matthew Warshaw (6).
The team traveled to the RAYS Snowflake Invitational December 7-9
and brought home 12 individual wins. Emily Hammond won 4 events:
the 11-12 50 and 500 yard freestyle, 12 and Under 1650 yard
freestyle and 14 and Under 200 yard freestyle events. Courtney
Collett won the 13-14 year old 400 IM, 500 and 1650 yard freestyle
events. Camille Felix took first place in the 12 and Under 400 IM,
100 and 200 yard freestyle events. Charlie Bolgan won the 15 and
Over 400 IM and James Hammond won the 10 and Under 500 yard
freestyle race.
Other top ten finishes were earned by the following H2A swimmers:
Charlie Bolgan (5 top ten finishes), Courtney Collett (9), Josie
Cuda (9), Camille Felix (10), Courtney Graff (4), Emily Hammond
(9), James Hammond (11), Fallon Kelley (8), Christina Macropoulos
(1), Amelia Rzeczycki (5), Libby Streitenberger (1), and Caroline
Vaniska (2).
The H2A Senior Swimmers travel to the University of Georgia Senior
Circuit meet in Athens, GA, January 4-6.
MENZEL,BOLGAN CLEAN UP AT HALLOWEEN
INVITATIONAL
Hilton Head Aquatics swimmers turned in many strong performances at
the Halloween Invitational on Oct. 19-21 in Largo,
Fla.
Charlie Bolgan and Nicole Menzel took home high pointawards in
their first H2A meet of the season. Bolgan won the 400-meter
individual medley, 500 free, 100 butterfly, 200 fly and 200
backstroke. Menzel won the 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 free, 500 free, 100
back, 200 back, 100 fly and 200 fly. Fallon Kelley won the 100
free, Emily Hammond won the 100 back and Camille Felix won the 500
Free.
The following swimmers earned top-10 finishes
in various races: Mary Bolgan (eight), Joseph Capin (four),
Courtney Collett (seven), Josie Cuda (seven), Brenden Ellixson
(two), Lindsay Ellixson (five), Lilla Felix (four), Camille Felix
(seven), Kaitlyn Gill (eight), Victoria Gill (two), James Hammond
(five), Emily Hammond (eight), Brien Kurtz (nine) and Amelia
Rzeczycki (two). The team competes next weekend in Augusta,
Ga.
2007 BRUNSWICK
SUNSATIONAL INVITATIONAL
Several Hilton Head Aquatics swimmers
dominated their age groups at the 9th annual Brunswick YWCA
Sunstational Invitational, September 14-16. Emily Hammond led the
way by winning 8 of the events she swam. Hammond finished 1st
in the 100 & 200 Freestyle, 50 & 100 Backstroke, 100 &
200 IM, and 50 & 100 Butterfly. Courtney Collett placed in the
top 3 of her 9 events. Collet won the 1650, 200 and 500 Freestyle.
James Hammond placed in the top 3 in all 8 of the races, and won
the 200 & 100 Freestyle, 100 IM and 100 Butterfly. Lilla Felix
won the 200 Freestyle & 50 Butterfly events and placed seond in
her other 6 events. Amelia Rzeczycki had 7 top 3 finishes.
The following H2A swimmers had top 10 finishes in various races:
Jospeh Capin (5), Kerry Davis (1), Madison Field (6), Victoria Gill
(7), Clayton North (9), Sara Reamy (1), Tommy Snell (7), and
Katelyn Vannoni (2).
SIX H2A ATHLETES SELECTED FOR THE SOUTH
CAROLINA ALL-STAR SOUTHERN ZONE TEAM
Six Hilton Head Aquatics swimmers
were selected at the State meet to join 38 athletes to represent
South Carolina at the 2007 USA Swimming Southern Zone Swimming
Championships in Houston, Texas. The 5 day meet, which ran from
July 31 to August 5 took place at the University of Houston’s
50 meter pool. SC competed with 14 Local Swim Committee’s
(LSC’S) form across the Southern US. Swimmers representing
W.Va, NC, SC, GA, Florida., Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama comprise the Southern Zone. Fallon
Kelly, Courtney Collett, Josie Cuda, Mary Bolgan, Camille Felix and
Emily Hammond were selected by the SC coaches to join the South
Carolina All-Star team. H2A Coach Bill Orton was also selected to
travel with the State team as an Assistant Coach.
Courtney Collett placed 7th in the 800 Meter freestyle with a time
of 9:19.23 and placed 8th overall in the 200 Fly in 2:30.74. Fallon
Kelley made finals in the 50 Meter free swimming a best time of
27.96 which earned her an 8th place finish.
Other finishes in the top 25 included: Kelley- 14th 100 free, 17th
200 free, and 15th in the 400 free. Collett finished 10th in the
13-14 girls’ 200 Medley Relay and 18th in the 400 free. Josie
Cuda was 10th in the 13-14 girls’ 200 free relay, 13th in the
400 free, 14th in the 800 free and 18th in the 200 fly. Emily
Hammond’s best finishes were in the girls 11-12 400 free
where she was 9th, 11th in the 50 fly, 13th in the 200 free, 15th
in the 100 fly, 19th in the 200 IM, and 20th in the 100 back. She
was also on the relay team placing 10th in both the 200 free and
Medley relays. Camille Felix’s best races were the 400
free(16th), 200 free (17th) and 100 fly (22nd). Mary Bolgan
finished 22nd in the 400 free, 25th in the 200 free and 50
breaststroke. She was also on the 200 free really team which
finished 10th.
H2A
HAS BEST
LONG COURSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINISH YET -
16 STATE
TITLES
Hilton Head Aquatics swimmers claimed 16
individual wins and 82 top ten finishes at the SC State Long Course
Championships held at the University of SC’s Sol Blatt
Natatorium in Columbia July 26-29. Leading the way was 12 year old
Emily Hammond who
claimed 7 individual and 2
relay State Championships. Hammond won the 11-12 200, 400
and 1500 free, 50 and 100 fly, 200 Back and 200 IM events. Hammond was awarded the
high point award
for the 11-12 year old girls. She never placed below third in all
10 of her events. Courtney
Collett took home 4
individual wins in the girls’ 13-14
400, 800 and 1500 free and the 200 fly. Nicole Menzel won the Senior 800 and 1500
freestyle. Charlie
Bolgan captured the men’s senior
1500 free title and his sister, Mary Bolgan, won the
girls’ 11-12 800 free. Josie Cuda won the girls’
13-14 200 free.
The Girls’ 11-12 relay team of
Mary Bolgan, Camille
Felix, Emily Hammond and Amelia Rzeczycki won the State
Championship in the girls’ 11-12 200 Medley and 200 freestyle
relays.
H2A also impressed the crowd with 1,2,3 finishes in the
girls’ 11-12 800 free (M. Bolgan, Hammond, Felix) and
the 1500 free (Hammond,
Felix, Bolgan.)
Several other events had H2A swimmers racing each other to take 1st
and 2nd: 11-12 200 free (Hammond, Felix) and 400 free (Hammond, M
Bolgan). In 5 girls’ 13-14 races, H2A swimmers Courtney
Collett and Josie Cuda raced to first and second in the 800 free,
400 free, 200 fly and 1500 free (Collett, Cuda). The two teammates
also took first and second in the 200 free (Cuda, Collett).
H2A had 9 swimmers placing in the top three in various races:
Charlie Bolgan(3),
Mary Bolgan (4),
Courtney Collett
(5), Josie Cuda
(5), John Evans
(1), Camille Felix
(4), Lilla Felix
(3), Emily Hammond
(10), Fallon Kelley
(1), and Nicole
Menzel (4).
Charlie Bolgan, Collett, Cuda, Emily Hammond, Kelley, and Menzel
all broke team records as
well.
Placing in the top ten
were: C
Bolgan (4), M
Bolgan (10), Collett (7), Cuda (7), Evans (7), C Felix (7), L Felix (4), Kaitlyn Gill (1), Victoria Gill (1), E Hammond (10), James Hammond (7), Fallon Kelley (4), Nicole Menzel (5), Amelia Rzeczycki (5), Caroline Vaniska (1), and
Corinne Williams
(2).
During the same weekend, several H2A swimmers were turning in some
impressive swim performances at the "Finale" meet at USC. Nine year
old Courtney Graff
won 3 events: the 50 breast, 200 IM and 50 fly. Swimmers
earning top ten
placements were: Brenden
Ellixson (7), Sean
Ellixson (8), Courtney Graff (5), Christina Macropoulos
(7), Clayton North
(5), Libby
Streitenberger (3), and Emily Wilkes (3).
BOLLES SPEEDO SUMMER CLASSIC LC
INVITATIONAL
Hilton Head Aquatics finished its regular Long Course season in
Jacksonville, Fla at the Speedo Summer Classic Long Course
Invitational hosted by the Bolles School June 28-July 1. Nicole Menzel won the
Senior girls’ 800 (9:10.43) and 400 free (4:26.77); Emily Hammond won the
11-12 girls’ 800 (9:33.20) and 200 free (2:17.55) ; and Mary Bolgan won the 11-12
girls’ 400 free (4:46.65).
The following swimmers either set or improved long course team
records in the following events: 11 & 12 Girls:
Emily Hammond - 800
Freestyle, 400 IM; 13 & 14 Girls: Josie Cuda - 200 Freestyle, 400
Freestyle; 15 & 16 Girls: Fallon Kelley - 50 Freestyle;
Nicole Menzel - 200
Freestyle, 400 Freestyle & 400 IM; 10 & Under Boys: James Hammond - 400
Freestyle; 15 & 16 Boys: Charlie Bolgan - 400 Freestyle,
800 Freestyle & 400 IM.
The following swimmers had multiple top 10 finishes: Charlie Bolgan
(2), Mary Bolgan (5), Courtney Collett (4), Josie Cuda (4), Camille
Felix (4), Lilla Felix (3), Emily Hammond (6), James Hammond (5),
Fallon Kelley (3), Nicole Menzel (4), Reed Penale (3) and Corrine
Williams (2).
The team now begins its post-season championship meets with Senior
Sectionals in Auburn Alabama July 12-15. Then the team competes in
the State Championships July 26-29 in Columbia. The SC Zone team
will be selected at the State meet and will travel to Houston Texas
August 1-5. Finally, Jr. Nationals is August 7-11 in Indianapolis,
In.
SST MEET in BRUNSWICK,
GA
Great swimming by the whole team at the SST meet in Brunswick, GA.
(Team results from the SST meet are posted on the Meet &
Results Info page.) Several meet records and team records were
broken by H2A swimmers. Emily Hammond broke meet records in the 400
Free, 100 and 200 Backstroke events, Nicole Menzel broke the meet
record in the 800 Free.
Emily Hammond achieved reportable Top 16 times in the 400 Free and
200 Backstroke events. Josie Cuda achieved a reportable Top 16 time
in the 200 Butterfly event.
The following swimmers set new team records: Emily Hammond in the
Girls 11 & 12 100 & 400 Freestyle events, 100 & 200
Backstroke events; Charlie Bolgan in the Boys 15 & Over 50, 200
& 400 Freestyle events, 100 Butterfly event; John Evans in the
Boys 10 & Under 50 & 100 Backstroke events, 50
Breaststroke; Alex Reamy in the Boys 11 & 12 200 Backstroke
event; Nicole Menzel in the Girls 15 & Over 200, 400 &
800 Freestyle events; Josie Cuda in the Girls 11 & 12 100 &
200 Butterfly events; Fallon Kelley in the Girls 15 & Over 50
& 100 Freestyle events and Courtney Collett in the Girls 13
& 14 800 Freestyle event.
The following swimmers had Top-10 finishes in various races:
Charlie Bolgan (3), Mary Bolgan (7), Courtney Collett (4), Josie
Cuda (9), John Evans (8), Camille Felix (4), Lilla Felix (7),
Victoria Gill (3), Emily Hammond (9), James Hammond (8), Fallon
Kelley (3), Brien Kurtz (1), Nicole Menzel (4), Alex Reamy (3), and
Corrine Williams (2).
Emily Hammond and John Evans earned high point awards in the 11
& 12 Girls, and 10 & Under Boys Divisions.
Congratulations to all swimmers for achieving best times. Keep up
all the hard work! Effort equals Results.
2007 CVST TAMPA BAY SWIM
CLASSIC
Tropical storm Barry did not stop Hilton Head Aquatics from
adding 4 names in the 1500-meter Freestyle
event to our growing list of swimmers who have achieved
2007 Long Course Reportable National Top-16 times in various
events.
Josie Cuda, Emily Hammond, Mary Bolgan and Camille Felix battled
high winds and rain during the 11-12-year old division of the
1500-meter Freestyle event on June 1-3 to finish with
reportable top 16 times in this event.
Our H2A swimmers recorded the following times
in this event: Josie Cuda (18:20.64), Emily Hammond (18:23.03),
Mary Boglan (18:36.48) and Camille Felix (18:50.06).
The following swimmers had multiple top-10 finishes at the meet:
Sara Reamy (3), Lilla Felix (5), John Evans (8), James Hammond (7),
Josie Cuda (2), Emily Hammond (9), Camille Felix (4), Cassie Ley
(2) and Ryan Ley (3).
H2A SWIMMERS BREAK RECORDS AT COLUMBIA MEET
Hilton Head Aquatics swam a record-breaking meet June 1-3 at
the Carolina Aquatics Long Course Open in Columbia.
Two H2A swimmers broke meet records in the following events:
Victoria Gill in the 8 & Under 50 and 100-meter
Butterfly events and Courtney Collett in the Girls 13-14
1500-meter Freestyle event.
Collett also won the 400 free. Teammates Reed Penale and Kaitlyn
Gill finished second and third, respectively. Clayton North won the
200 free and 50 breaststroke.
The following H2A swimmers had multiple top ten finishes:
Charlie Bolgan (4), Courtney Collett (5), Kaitlyn Gill (2),
Victoria Gill (7), Courtney Graff (1), Fallon Kelley (4), Christina
Macropoulos (1), Clayton North (6), Reed Penale (6), Nancy Radloff
(2), Amelia Rzeczycki (3), Jillian Vannoni (1), and Corrine
Williams (6).
H2A SWIMMERS EARN
5 MEDALS AT AGE GROUP SECTIONALS
Josie Cuda, Emily Hammond and Courtney Collett
rise to the occassion and perform swimmingly at the short course
season end meet, bringing home the first medals H2A has
claimed in 4 years from this level of competition. Cuda and Hammond (11-12
Division) placed 2nd
& 3rd in the 1000 & 1650 freestyle
events and Collett
(13-14 Division) secured a 3rd place finish in the 1650 freestyle
event.
In all, 12 H2A swimmers qualified to compete against the fastest
swimmers of 7 surrounding states in the Southern Zone Eastern Section Age
Group meet held in Huntersville, NC.
H2A swimmers swam in 25
finals events. The following swimmers had top 16 finishes in the meet in
which 679 athletes competed: Mary Bolgan (12) - 3; Courntey Collett (13) - 3, Josie Cuda (12) - 10, Camille Felix (12) - 2, Kaitlyn Gill (14) - 2, Emily Hammond (12) - 10; James Hammond (9) - 1; Reed Penale (12) - 3; Amelia Rzeczycki (10) - 6; and Corinne Williams (14) - 1.
Hilton Head Aquatics’ Swimmers Capture 7
State Titles
At the onset of the first race of South Carolina’s Short
Course State Championships in Rock Hill, SC, Coach Bill Orton had
his hands full. 5 of the 10 finalists were his 11 -12 year old
girls swimming the 500 yard freestyle event. Josie Cuda, Emily
Hammond, Reed Penale, Mary Bolgan and Camille Felix raced to 1st,
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th places and started a pattern that would
repeat itself many times over the course of the 4 day meet. In the
girls’ 13-14 1650 yard freestyle race, Nicole Menzel,
Courtney Collett, Kaitlyn Gill, and Corrine Williams dominated the
finals by placing 1st, 4th, 6th, and 8th. Mary Bolgan, Josie Cuda
and Reed Penale repeated the sweep in the girls’ 11-12 1650
yard freestyle race by taking 1st, 2nd & 3rd places and
achieving national reportable top 16 times. In all, the H2A swim
team captured 7 individual state titles led by Nicole Menzel who is
state champion in the girls’ 13-14 500, 1000, and 1650 yard
freestyle, followed by Josie Cuda winning the 11-12 500 & 1000
yard freestyle, and 11-12 teammates Mary Bolgan, the 1650
freestyle, and Reed Penale, the 400 individual
medley.
H2A girls finished third and the team placed 7th in the
State without past State champion, Charlie Bolgan, who had to
scratch due to illness.The following H2A swimmers were recognized
for placing in the top five in their age division for high point
awards: Nicole Menzel, 2nd place 13-14; Emily Hammond, 2nd 11-12;
Josie Cuda, 3rd 11-12; Reed Penale, 5th 11-12; and Amelia
Rzeczycki, 3rd 10 & Under.
Fifteen H2A swimmers placed in the top ten in
the State in various races: (number of top ten finishes in
parentheses): Mary Bolgan ( 10 ), Courtney Collett (3), Josie Cuda
(10) , John Evans (4), Camille Felix (6), Kaitlyn Gill (3), Emily
Hammond (11), James Hammond (3), Fallon Kelley (3), Brien Kurtz
(1), Nicole Menzel (8), Reed Penale (10), Nancy Radloff (1), Amelia
Rzeczycki (9) and Corrine Williams (6).
The girls 11-12 relay team of Hammond, Cuda, Penale and
Bolgan took 2nd in the 200 free & medley relay races. The
13-14 girls 200 yard relay team of Courtney Collett, Kaitlyn Gill,
Nicole Menzel and Corrine Williams placed 4th. The 15-18
girls’ relay team of Nancy Radloff, Libby Streitenberger,
Christina Macropoulos and Fallon Kelley placed 8th in the 400 free
and 10th in the 400 medley.
Hilton Head Aquatic swimmers advance to Senior Sectionals in
Atlanta and Age Group Sectionals in Charlotte the first two
weekends in March.
For full
results, go to http://www.swimrays.com/.
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