Keeping Pace with a Swimming Legacy

By Billy Sharp

After graduating several all-state performers last season, the swim team expected this season to be more of a rebuilding year. But those thoughts were quickly forgotten as the team won both meets to start the season off this winter.

“Even though they may not have had a tough competition, they got in and gave a good swim, not just slacking off because they could win,” Coach Molly Sandling said. “They did their best.”

Even though Jon Timmer is the only male returning senior, Coach Sandling said the team started off strong.

“I am impressed by the younger swimmers that have really stepped up to fill in the gaps of the seniors who graduated last year,” Coach Sandling said.

Senior Captain Lauren Freeland agrees.

“We will definitely miss Jon [Keltner] and Scott [Cutler],” Freeland said. “But we have lots of younger girls and boys ready to step up.”

Junior Kyle Evans won two races—50 free and 100 free.  He was also on the winning team of the boys 200 free relay paired with junior Billy Sharp, sophomore Nate Hartt, and senior Jon Timmer.

“I was really proud of how well we did even though there wasn’t much competition,” Evans said.

Aside from actual swimming, Coach Sandling thought the team demonstrated a large amount of team spirit. They cheered at the end of the pool and could often be seen cheering on their fellow team mates, Coach Sandling said.

The girls had a strong showing as well.  They won their 200 free relay with a well-built team—seniors Amanda McCarter, Lauren Freeland, and Katie Wilson, and junior Amanda Shideler.
Even with this win, Sanding said it doesn’t guarantee a winning season.

“[The swimmers] are really trying to keep up the Jamestown swimming legacy,” she said.

Indoor Track Runs Winter Frolic

by Ashley Middleton and Maggie Underwood

Spending Saturday inside a stuffy, crowded track arena is not many teenagers’ idea of a “good time.”But for senior Graham Schlickenmeyer, the CNU High School Winter Frolic track meet was nothing but fun.

On Saturday Dec. 12, Schlickenmeyer led the Eagles in last Saturday’s running events, placing first in the 1000-meter run, and running on the 4X800-meter relay, placing second.

“My race went really well,” Schlickenmeyer said. “It felt really good to win my first race of the season.”
Along with Schlickenmeyer, junior Anthony Green placed third in the 500-meter dash. Green’s time of1:09.09 established him as one of Virginia’s top returning sprinters, as well as qualifying him for the AA State meet in February. Other top performers for Jamestown included seniors Mike Mitchell (300-meter dash), Logan Vaughan (1600-meter run) and Andrew Cordasco (shot put).

Because of the boys’ squad’s success so early in the season, Coach Howard Townsend is optimistic about the future performances of his athletes.

“We have the ability to score in every event,” Coach Townsend said. “We have a shot at winning the disrict and regional championships again this year.”

The girls indoor track team also attended the meet and performed with considerable achievment. Freshman Marissa Segala and junior Maggie Underwood regionally qualified in the 300-meter dash and the 3200-meter run, respectively.
“Marissa is looking to be one of the top sprinters in the area, even as a freshman,” Coach Townsnd said.

Segala is just one of several newcomers to the track team who competed well at the first meet of the season. Freshman Tia Mearns ran a new personal best in the 1600 meter run, placing 22nd with a time of 5:57.01. Teammate Gaylin Glueck also represented the Eagles, running a district qualifying time of 13:12.04 in the 3200 meter run, placing 29th.

“Really, these first meets are just for figuring out where our strengths and weaknesses are,” Coach Townsend said. “The objective was definitely achieved.”