DJO swimmers finding success in pool!

One of the school’s more successful programs through the years has been the swim/dive teams – and this year is no exception, especially on the boys’ side.

To date, Coach Evan Stiles’ boys are 4-1 in dual meets and proven to be a force to be reckoned with at the various championship meets during the course of the winter campaign. The Boys Team captured their third straight Northern Virginia Catholic Championship, placed fifth at the recent National Catholics in Baltimore, and finished fourth at the WMPSSDL Championships last weekend.

The boys 200 medley relay team of Conor Chamness, Don Tucker (pictured above), Christian Tiernan and Chris Outlaw (pictured right) has been outstanding, already breaking the team record and, in doing so, earning an All-American Consideration Time.

 Although this quartet is easily the heart and soul of the team, senior Michael Luciani and a trio of freshmen – Andrew DiBenedetto, John Stahlman and Sean Bergmann – have also been key contributors in the AquaKnights’ success this year.

Led by reigning state champion Jack Gigliotti, the diving team is also having a strong season. The junior standout, who placed third at National Catholics, will be looking to defend his title next weekend at the Virginia Independent Schools State Championship Meet in Richmond.

Coach Stiles is optimistic heading into States, truly believing that his boys team is coming together at the right time and very capable of winning it all.

Like the boys, the girls team is performing well in the big weekend championship competitions, besides having posted a 3-2 record in duals despite the loss of 11 swimmers to graduation a year ago. Coach Stiles has seen his girls finish second at the NOVA Catholic Invitational in early January, place 11^th at National Catholics and, most recently, battle to a 14^th-place finish at the WMPSSDL Championships.

The girls team is led by junior Katie Kinsella, sophomore Sarah Cahill, and seniors Meghan Voyack, Alyssa Knauf, and Emma Price (pictured above). Kinsella is a big-time talent, whose consistency has been a steadying influence for the team all season long. According to Stiles, “she has been a rock for us all year.” Cahill, who is a breaststroke specialist, claimed top honors at National Catholics in the 100 breaststroke. Voyack, Knauf, and Price have provided consistent depth and great leadership traits over the course of the campaign.

The AquaKnights diving team has been spectacular this winter, with Alayna Kelly (pictured right), Maddie Kelly, Becky Nardacci, Patricia Pope and Susie Rodriguez displaying outstanding skills off the board. Junior Alayna Kelly is an awesome little talent on the board, placing first at NOVA Catholic Championships and placing third individually while leading her team to a first-place finish at the prestigious National Catholics. Dive Coach Kelly Hunter is expecting another strong performance from the girl divers at States next week in Richmond. Alayna finished third at States a year ago.

Good luck at States, AquaKnights!

This is Tommy Orndorff and that was The Week That Was.