Last week, the Hargrave Tigers Swimming/Diving team competed in the Norfolk Academy Virtual Invitational from the comforts of the Onishi-Davenport Aquatic Center. Despite competing shorthanded, the Tigers had a great start to the season.
For a frame of reference, the Norfolk Academy Virtual Invitational gave teams a period of four days (December 9th-12th) to compete in a series of events from their own facility. With arguably one of the best pools in the state of Virginia, the ability to compete in the ODAC was an advantage for the Tigers. Despite the weird format of competing against a number of other teams without actually seeing them, Hargrave was able to adjust and put together some strong individual and team performances. Head Coach, Amanda Weishaar, noted, “Out of 21 individuals on the team, 13 were able to participate and 5 were competing for their very first time! This meet was a fantastic way to be introduced to the sport before we look at meeting opponents in-person next month.” Hargrave was able to compete in 6 of the 9 scheduled events as a team and placed 6th overall. Senior, Nick de Veer (Canton, CT) took 1st overall in the 200 Yard Individual Medley and 3rd overall in the 100 Yard Breaststroke.
The Tigers swam hard, fast, and for Andrew Ponton ’22 (Simpsonville, SC) it was a particularly enjoyable event. Ponton qualified for the VISAA State Swim Meet in the 50 Yard Freestyle with a time of :26.11 seconds! This is considered to be a 50 Bonus event, meaning that when the swimmer qualifies for another event, they will get to swim the 50 Yard Freestyle as an additional reward. Overall, it was an excellent way to kick off the season for the Tigers!
Team Results
1–Norfolk Academy (328 points)
2–The Covenant School (180 points)
3–Peninsula Catholic High School (162 points)
4–Cape Fear Academy (141 points)
5–Catholic High School (137 points)
6–Hargrave Military Academy (107 points)
7–Norfolk Christian School (68 points)
Individual Results (by Event)
Boys 200 Yard Freestyle
Gage Crisp ’21 (Maryville, TN) — 2:42.91
Boys 200 Yard Individual Medley
Nick de Veer ’21 (Canton, CT) — 2:21.66 (1st overall)
Boys 50 Yard Freestyle
Andrew Ponton ’22 (Simpsonville, SC) — :26.11 (8th overall)
Wesley Marquardt ’21 (Charlotte, NC) — :26.29 (9th overall)
Jay Thompson ’21 (Chatham, VA) — :29.46
John Ratchford ’22 (Charlotte, NC) — :30.01
Ethan Teluk ’22 (Manilus, NY) — :32.20
Patrick Souza ’25 (Halifax, VA) — :32.29
Nathaniel Duff ’23 (Vernon Hill, VA) — :34.88
Malachi Dixon ’24 (Ellicott City, MD) — :35.57
John Mauriello ’21 (Danville, VA) — :36.27
Chance Shelton ’23 (Wytheville, VA) — :36.41
David Mueller ’21 (Miami, FL) — :36.98
Boys 100 Yard Freestyle
Wesley Marquardt — :59.69 (6th overall)
Andrew Ponton — 1:01.44 (8th overall)
Gage Crisp — 1:13.23
John Mauriello — 1:18.17
Malachi Dixon — 1:28.82
Boys 100 Yard Backstroke
John Ratchford — 1:34.51 (15th overall)
David Mueller — 1:52.96
Chance Shelton — 1:55.79
Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke
Nick de Veer — 1:11.98 (3rd overall)
Jay Thompson — 1:25.93 (8th overall)
Patrick Souza — 1:51.94 (15th overall)
Nathaniel Duff — 1:52.15
The Tigers will be back in the ODAC on January 15th, 2021 as they host rival Fork Union Military Academy.
