RMSC held a COVID-safe version of its annual NTG Showdown, October 10-11 at Martin Luther King Jr. Swim Center in Silver Spring, MD. Swimmers and coaches from each of the NTG groups were drafted into three teams: Red, White and Blue. The meet was scored with Hy-Tek power points, and split into four sessions for facility capacity reasons. Despite the challenges these swimmers faced this Summer and Fall, there were dozens of lifetime bests and several new Junior National cuts at the meet.
In a tightly contested meet, the "White Team" came out on top. They were led by Chris Ma, who won the 50 free (21.69), 100 free (46.68), 100 fly (49.91), and 200 fly (1:49.38), and Carly Sebring, who won the 50 free (23.81), 100 free (51.24), and 200 free (1:50.44). They also got wins from Sean Santos in 500 free (4:34.73) and Andrew Eliason in 100 back (51.34).
"Blue Team" took second, led by Katherine Blake's wins in 500 free (4:57.90) and 400 IM (4:25.21), Jane Umhofer's win in 200 breast (2:18.32), and Everett Oehler's win in 200 free (1:41.32).
Despite the “Red team's” 3rd place finish, they had the two top individual scorers at the meet. Toby Barnett won all five of his events in five best times, scoring his first U.S. Open cut and a new 15-16 Team Record with a 2:00.89 in 200 breast, and also taking the 200 IM (1:50.84), 400 IM (3:55.38), 100 breast (56.98), and 200 back (1:51.27). Abby Carr also won her five events: 100 back (55.16), 200 back (1:59.47), 100 fly (54.70), 200 fly (1:59.57), and 200 IM (2:04.18). Joyce Wu added a win in 100 breast (1:04.78).
Swimmers from all teams showed the club's excellent depth. In addition to the above event winners, USA Swimming 18&U Winter Championship qualifying times were earned at the meet by: Nina Allen, Ziad Bandak, Hanna Bingley, Sean Colson, Kate Cosgrove, Sarah Culkin, Sean Davis, Sarah Eliason, Sophie Elliott, Gabe Fouts, Jed Garner, Erin Haines, Rin Iimi, Alvin Kimwon, Maddie Mara, Liam McDonough, Amy Qin, Maria Sawadogo, Eamon Smith, Madison Smith, Rachel Soubier, Jonik Surprenant, and Pierre Zeineddin.
SwimSwam.com also picked up on some of the fast times at the meet:
https://swimswam.com/toby-barnett-and-alvin-kimwon-battle-to-breakout-200-breaststroke-swims/
Thanks to Montgomery County Recreation and the City of Rockville for pooling time and resources to make this event happen, and to run smoothly and safely.
Select members of RMSC’s National Team will next be in action on November 12-14 at the Toyota U.S. Open, which will be held at multiple sites due to capacity restrictions. Toby Barnett, Abby Carr, Chris Ma, Sean Santos, Carly Sebring, Eamon Smith, Jane Umhofer, and Joyce Wu will be competing at the Richmond, VA site, against top local and National swimmers.