The Hargrave Aquatics traveled to Shelby, North Carolina, on June 10-12, 2005 for the Shark’s Aquatics Club 2005 Invitational. Fifteen teams participated in the Invitational, with Hargrave Aquatics being the sole Virginia entry. In addition to the obvious large number of North Carolina teams, other out of state teams herald from Georgia and South Carolina. All teams competed in the ‘long’ or 50m course.
“Shelby had a great mix of competition and ages,” said William Wiebking, Hargrave’s Age Group coach. “Both Hargrave Aquatics senior, age group and novice swimmers used the meet primarily for developmental reasons, and for achieving time standards towards July’s championship season. I think the athletes liked the relaxed atmosphere and enjoyed the racing. We had fun.”
Jacob Conner, age 14 of Danville, set himself apart from his teammates by winning two 13-14 Boy’s events during the three day competition. Conner took first in the 1500m Freestyle, 18:34.32, and 400m Freestyle, 4:43.55. During the races, he maintained a safe lead over Catawba Valley Aquatic swimmer Rick Smith, who finished second to Conner in those events. Both boys improved.
Conner also scored in every event but the 200m Individual Medley (IM). He finished 2nd in the 100m Backstroke, 1:11.98; 4th in the 200m Freestyle, 2:15.43; 7th in the 100m Freestyle, 1:02.71: and 9th in the 50m Freestyle, 29.64. He was entered in seven events for the weekend.
Lauren Hines, age 15 of Forest, shutdown the Girl’s 15 and Over 100m Freestyle with a first place finish, 1:01.82. Hines also scored in the 3rd in the 200m Freestyle, 2:16.80; 3rd in the 100m Backstroke 1:12.74; 3rd in the 50m Freestyle, 29.42; and 4th in the 200m backstroke, 2:40.20. On average, Hines scored the highest of the 15-year-olds in the 15 and Over age group.
David West, age 10 of Altavista, and Hannah Patterson, age 10 of Martinsville, became the first two Hargrave Aquatics 10 and Under athletes to swim the 1500m Freestyle. This event is not offered to 10 and Unders, but a they can swim it as an open event. Patterson chose to swim, making her the first 10 and Under, boy or girl, on the team to swim this race at a meet. Her seedtime was 25:33.63. West swam a heat later, improving from a seedtime of 23:11.68 to a 22:34.41. Both athletes did an outstanding job.
West would later earn many other high rankings during the meet. Patterson would also compete as the only 10 and Under in the open 400m Freestyle. She earned 31st out of 33 with a time of 6:19.49.
Hargrave Aquatics is a community swimming club hosted by Hargrave Military Academy for both Cadets and members of the surrounding area. The team is also affiliated with the United State Olympic Committee via USA Swimming, Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes youth swimming nationally.
Other Top Ten Finishes include:
Andrew Abbott, age 6 of Republican Grove: 10th 50m Freestyle, 53.92.
Brittany Abbott, age 15 of Republican Grove: 6th 1500m Freestyle, 20:13.33.
Jesse Abbott, age 13 of Republican Grove: 5th 1500m Freestyle, 19.53.29; 8th 200m Freestyle, 2:26.39; 10th 100m Backstroke, 1:19.38; 9th 100m Freestyle, 1:08.63; 9th 50m Freestyle, 31.74; 6th 200m Backstroke, 2:46.41; 5th 100m Butterfly, 1:17.10.
Megan Bennett, age 13 of Danville, 9th 1500m Freestyle, 21:33.99.
Joseph Campbell, age 13 of Gretna: 7th 1500m Freestyle, 20:34.66.
Jesse Conner, age 11 of Danville, 2nd 1500m Freestyle, 20.57.27; 6th 100m Backstroke, 1:23.60; 8th 200m Freestyle, 2:40.97.
Baleigh Hicks, age 8 of Chatham: 8th 200m IM, 5:28.72; 200m Freestyle, 4:27.34.
Chelsea Law, age 12 of Gretna: 5th 200m IM, 2:55.26; 2nd 50m Freestyle, 31.81; 7th 50m Breaststroke, 42.88; 4th 100m Freestyle, 1:10.93; 5th 100m Breaststroke, 1:33.08.
Sami Norman, age 11 of Martinsville: 7th 1500m Freestyle, 22:08.98; 8th 100m Freestyle, 1:12.78; 10th 100m Butterfly, 1:30.02.
Hannah Patterson, age 10 of Martinsville: 10th 200m IM, 3:26.10; 9th 50m Backstroke, 46.13; 8th 100m Backstroke, 1:39.08.
Rachel Patterson, age 8 of Martinsville: 6th 200m IM, 4:13.09; 6th 100m Breaststroke, 2:12.02; 5th 100m Freestyle, 1:42.28; 8th 50m Breaststroke, 1:02.99; 3rd 100m Backstroke, 1:55.57.
Andy Smith, age 7 of Chatham: 4th 200m IM, 3:17.92; 5th 50m Freestyle, 45.87; 6th 100m Breaststroke, 2:25.48; 3rd 50 Backstroke, 49.36; 6th 100m Freestyle, 1:44.94; 3rd 100m Backstroke, 1:47.74; 3rd 200m Freestyle.
Kristin Smith, age 10 of Chatham: 9th 100m Butterfly, 1:50.65; 10th 50m Breaststroke, 52.61.
Jason Reese, age 12 of Gretna: 3rd 1500m Freestyle, 21:01.62; 8th 200m IM, 2:56.90; 9th 200m Freestyle, 2:42.10.
David West, age 10 of Altavista: 4th 200m IM, 3:17.92; 5th 50m Freestyle, 35.97; 7th 100m Breaststroke, 1:50.20; 3rd 50m Backstroke, 42.46; 2nd 100m Freestyle, 1:15.17; 2nd 100m Backstroke, 1:28.36; 3rd 200m Freestyle, 2:47.13.
Sara Williams, age 10 of Chatham; 10th 100 Breaststroke, 1:51.83; 10th 100m Freestyle, 1:23.31; 9th 50m Breaststroke, 52.29.
