The 2005 BASA Ultimate Challenge offered great competition for many Hargrave Aquatics athletes during the three-day event. Held June 24-26, 2005, the Challenge also featured a big luau on June 25. In addition to fast swimming, this was a big hit among many of the participants.
Two young men and one young lady rose to the challenge in several fast performances.
Rachel Patterson, age 8 of Martinsville, Andy Smith, age 8 of Chatham, and David West, age 10 of Altavista, placed top eight in the majority of their events.
Of the trio, West dropped the hammer in three races. He took first in the Boy’s 10 and Under 400m Freestyle, 5:41.71, 200m Freestyle, 2:41.64, and 100m Freestyle, 1:14.06. He was also second in the 50m Freestyle, 35.43; third in the 50m Backstroke, 42.62, 100m Backstroke, 1:30.01, and 100m Breaststroke, 2:38.63; and forth in the 100m Butterfly, 1:51.34, and 200m Individual Medley (IM), 3:20.77. The meet was a great end to West’s 10 and Under swimming career. He ages up to the 11-12 age division in July.
Smith took one first place finish in the Boy’s 8 and Under 100m Breaststroke with a 2:04.03. While Smith does not normally consider Breaststroke his primary speed stroke, he still managed to stun his coach and parents with the win after a faster competitor disqualified. Smith also took second in the 50m Backstroke, 52.39, and 100m Backstroke, 1:51.60; third in the 200m Freestyle, 3:34.22 and 200m IM, 4:06.16; forth in the 100m Freestyle, 1:42.48; fifth in the 50m Breaststroke, 1:03.30; and eighth in the 50m Butterfly, 1:10.32.
Patterson met with success in the Girl’s 8 and Under division, placing top eight in eight out of nine swims. She dropped 1.04 seconds in the 50m Breaststroke, 57.10, her signature event. She also went third in the 100m Breaststroke, 2:05.42; forth in the 200m Freestyle, 3:45.94, and 200m IM, 4:07.38; sixth in the 50m Freestyle, 46.22, and 100m Backstroke, 1:57.86; and eighth in the 50m Butterfly, 1:08.26, and 100m Freestyle, 1:49.87.
“Abingdon’s annual THE Ulimate Challenge is always fun meet,” said Coach William Wiebking, Hargrave’s Age Group Coach. “The kids swim fast and really enjoy the kid luau on Saturday night. Despite being forced against my will to do the chicken dance, I was proud of their overall performance during the event.”
In total, fifteen Hargrave Aquatics athletes attended the Challenge. Several best times were posted and time standards or cuts were achieved.
Hargrave Aquatics is a USA Swimming club team open to all ages and abilities. The club is based at Hargrave Military Academy.
Other Top 8 Swims
Chelsea Law, age 12 of Gretna: 8th 200m IM, 2:53.40; 8th 50m Breaststroke, 43.19; 8th 100m Freestyle, 1:10.81.
Jennifer Murphy, age 13 of Altavista: 2nd 100m Breaststroke, 1:23.88; 2nd 200m Breaststroke, 3:02.15.
Hannah Patterson, age 10 of Martinsville: 7th 400m Freestyle, 6:18.81; 8th 100m Backstroke, 1:36.39.
Jason Reese, age 12 of Gretna: 2nd 1500m Freestyle, 21:41.95; 4th 200m Freestyle, 2:33.94; 4th 100m Freestyle, 1:12.40; 5th 100m Butterfly, 1:30.11; 5th 400m Freestyle, 5:28.65; 6th 200m IM, 3:01.35; 6th 50m Freestyle, 33.72; 6th 50m Butterfly, 38.62; 8th 50m Backstroke, 43.62.
Kristin Smith, age 10 of Chatham: 6th 50m Breaststroke, 51.14.
Caroline Williams, age 8 of Martinsville: 8th 100m Breaststroke, 2:38.63.
