USA Swimming vs. SWAT New Year’s Frosty Invitational A/BB/B/C

Members of Hargrave Aquatics Gold and Silver swimming groups had a great meet at Radford’s New Year’s ‘Frosty’ Invitational, January 6-7, 2007. Five athletes represented Hargrave, and all of them placed top three at least once out of all the events they swam. The meet was sponsored by USA Swimming, Inc. and Virginia Swimming, Inc. Both organizations promote development and success of American swimmers in regional, national and international competitions.

“After time off for Christmas and New Year’s break, you’d think the team would be slower,” said Coach William Wiebking. “Hargrave Aquatics’ five swimmers showed a lot of heart with tough, aggressive racing. They all knew they were doing well, too, which created some great positive excitement for the team. It was certainly fun to watch them perform.”

Three out of the five Hargrave Aquatics athletes attending took at least one first place with the youngest, Andrew Abbott, taking seven first place finishes out of eight swims in the 7-year-old category. He also earned five additional USA Swimming Ten and Under National Age Group Top 16 Based times, which is a massive achievement in the sport for someone so young.

“The Ten and Under times are mostly based ten-year-old athletes,” said Coach Wiebking. “Therefore, Andrew is currently achieving what most nine-year-old struggle to earn, and he has over three years remaining in the Ten and Under age group. If he can keep it up, he is going to be a huge threat to his peers by age ten.”

Abbott is the son of David and Jeanette Abbott of Republican Grove, Virginia.

David West managed three wins, three seconds and two thirds in the Boy’s twelve year old category. West is one of the top 11-12 year old athletes in the state and a contender for a possible state title in during the state’s Age Group Championships in March.

“David is a big threat in the longer, harder distance Freestyle events with a fantastic ability to manage both the mental and physical pressure of long races,” said Coach Wiebking. “But, he is also very aggressive in all of his racing and is a big thorn in the side of his competition.”

Not surprisingly, West took first in the 500y Freestyle. He also took first in the 50y and 100y Freestyles. He was not without competition, however. He settled for second in the 200y Freestyle, 200y Backstroke and 200y IM. He was third in the 50y Butterfly and 400y IM.

West is the son of Dr. David West and Karen West of Altavista, Virginia.

Andy Smith scored a big victory in the Boy’s 50y Butterfly, taking a first place finish. Smith would also claim three third place finishes, three forth places finishes and one fifth place finish. He also added two more Ten and Under National Age Group Top 16 Based times to his portfolio, including his first place in the 50y Butterfly and the 200y Freestyle.

“The amazing thing about Andy is he doesn’t quite realize just how fast he can be. Once he does, watch out,” said Wiebking. “He is a tremendous talent in the water, and a lot of fun to have on deck.”

Smith is the son of Marty and Carol Smith of Chatham, Virginia.

Hargrave Aquatics’ sole female representing the club was Ali Stephens-Pickeral. Like her male team members, she did not disappoint on the block. She managed a second place finish in the 100y Breaststroke in a very exciting three way race. She also claimed six new best times out of eight swims and finished no less than eighth place.

“The Girl’s 11-12 age group is the single toughest age group for both sexes in USA Swimming competition,” said Wiebking. “But, Ali is an exceptionally tough and resilient athlete. I’ve seen her rise to challenge after challenge, almost always with great success. Overall, her racing was very well executed for the meet. She is exciting racer to watch.”

Stephens-Pickeral is the daughter of Andy and Anne Pickeral of Danville, Virginia.

Like Stephens-Pickeral, Jason Reese also dropped time in six out of eight events, except he was competing in the Boy’s 13-14 age group. But despite this great effort, Reese could not break a string of third place finishes in competition until his last event, where he took second in the 200y Breaststroke. He took seven third place finishes overall.

“Jason is an exceptionally tough competitor in the water and has been that way for numerous years,” said Wiebking. “He earns a lot of respect from his peers, including his competitors from other teams. Every time he steps onto the block, they know they can’t slow down. Competitively speaking, he is more than capable of shutting down a competitor if they make just one mistake. He keeps everyone on their toes.”

Reese is the son of Billy and Wendy Reese of Gretna, Virginia.

“The Frosty Invitational is the first meet in recent memory where the entire Hargrave Aquatics team scored top eight in all events,” said Wiebking. “It was an incredible performance by all team members. I’m proud of all of them.”

Top Eight Finishes and Times

Andrew Abbott, age 7, of Republican Grove: 1st 100y IM, 1:31.08; 1st 50y Back, 41.15; 1st 25y Breaststroke, 22.64; 1st 50y Butterfly, 41.44; 1st 100y Freestyle, 1:19.35; 1st 50y Freestyle, 34.51; 1st 50y Breaststroke, 48.64; 3rd 100y Backstroke, 1:33.35.

Jason Reese, age 13, of Gretna: 2nd 200y Breaststroke, 3:04.83; 3rd 200y IM, 2:29.80; 3rd 50y Freestyle, 27.00; 3rd 100y Backstroke, 1:10.01; 3rd 500y Freestyle, 5:43.25; 3rd 200y Freestyle, 2:07.77; 3rd 100y Butterfly, 1:15.05; 3rd 100y Freestyle, 59.29.

Andy Smith, age 9, of Chatham: 1st 50y Butterfly, 40.39; 3rd 200y IM, 3:04.65; 3rd 50y Backstroke; 40.63; 3rd 50y Freestyle, 36.10; 4th 200y Freestyle, 2:49.98; 4th 100y Backstroke, 1:27.18; 4th 100y IM, 1:34.72; 5th 100y Freestyle, 1:18.69.

Ali Stephens-Pickeral, age 12, of Danville: 2nd 100 Breaststroke, 1:15.22; 3rd 50y Breaststroke, 35.98; 4th 200y Breaststroke, 2:49.60; 5th 50y Freestyle, 29.20; 5th 50y Backstroke, 36.13; 6th 500y Freestyle, 6:10.15; 7th 50y Butterfly, 34.80; 8th 200y Freestyle, 2:17.79.

David West, age 12, of Altavista: 1st 50y Freestyle, 26.90; 1st 500y Freestyle, 5:21.15; 1st 100y Freestyle, 57.88; 2nd 200y IM, 2:26.38; 2nd 200y Freestyle, 2:01.84; 2nd 200y Backstroke, 2:24.86; 3rd 50y Butterfly, 32.42; 3rd 400y IM, 5:14.29.

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