RMSC’s National Team travelled to the NCSA Spring Championships (Junior Nationals) on March 15-19 in Orlando, Florida. The meet was back to full capacity, featuring almost 1300 of the fastest 18&Under swimmers from all across the country, representing over 120 clubs. Despite the increase in competition, RMSC swimmers rose to the challenge and placed 4th combined, the same as their finish from last season’s limited-capacity meet. Scored separately, the men finished 3rd, while the women finished 9th. The top 24 finishers in each event scored points for the club, while the top 40 made it back to finals.
Many swimmers contributed points to the team effort, including five swimmers that earned medals by placing in the top eight. Madison Smith had two dominant swims, taking 1st in 500 free in a Team Record 4:44.62 and in 1650 free in a Team Record 16:21.60, and recording Senior National cuts in both. She was also 2nd in 1000 free and top 16 in 200 free. Toby Barnett led the team in scoring with 109 points. He placed 2nd in 200 breast in a Team Record and Senior National cut 1:56.48, 2nd in 400 IM in a Team Record 3:47.35, and 5th in 200 IM in a Team Record 1:46.73. He also placed top 16 in 200 back and 100 breast. Everett Oehler was 5th in 200 fly, 6th in 50 fly, and top 16 in 100 fly. Adriano Arioti was 6th in 200 fly in a 15-16 Team Record 1:46.40, 7th in 400 IM, and top 24 in 200 back and 100 fly. Sean Santos placed 7th in 1650 free, top 16 in 1000 free, and top 24 in 400 IM.
Our many other top finishes were important to the team’s results. Jed Garner was 9th in 200 breast and added a top 24 in 100 breast. Nina Allen had a top 16 finish in 50 free in a Team Record 22.81. Andrew Eliason was top 16 in 50 free and 50 back, and top 24 in 50 fly. Brady Begin had top 16 finishes in 1000 free and 1650 free. Carly Sebring took top 16 in 50 fly, and top 24 in 50 back and 100 back. Sarah Eliason was top 16 in 50 fly and top 24 in 100 fly. Parker Koenig placed top 16 in 50 fly and was top 24 in 50 free. Alvin Kimwon added a top 16 in 200 breast. Amy Qin had top 24 finishes in 50 free, 100 free, 50 back, and 100 back. Other top 24 scorers included: Teddy Ament in 1000 free, Nick Arndt in 200 free, Samir Elkassem in 500 free and 1000 free, and Liam McDonough in 50 back. Maria Webb finished top 32 to break the 13-14 Team Record in 200 fly in 2:01.98. Also adding top 40 finishes were: Isla Bartholomew, Katherine Blake, Orluke Borjigin, Harrison Cerone, Andrea Dworak, Nasim Elkassem, Evan Mackesy, Harrison Quach, Livia Venditti, Owen Watkins, and David Yune.
Many of the best swims and much of our scoring in this team effort came on relays, where RMSC displayed the best depth it has in years. In fact, six of our relay teams made the podium with top 8 finishes. The Boys 200 Free Relay of Owen Watkins, Nick Arndt, David Yune, and Andrew Eliason placed 5th, breaking the Team Record in 1:22.06. The Girls 200 Free Relay of Amy Qin, Andrea Dworak, Reagan Phillips, and Nina Allen also broke the Team Record in 1:32.80, finishing 6th. The Girls 200 Medley Relay of Carly Sebring, Hanna Bingley, Sarah Eliason, Nina Allen took 7th, also breaking the Team Record in 1:41.62. The Boys 400 Medley (Andrew Eliason, Toby Barnett, Everett Oehler, David Yune) finished 6th. And finishing 8th were the Girls 400 Free (Amy Qin, Sarah Eliason, Reagan Phillips, Nina Allen) and the Boys 200 Medley (Andrew Eliason, Toby Barnett, Adriano Arioti, Everett Oehler).
Showcasing our team’s depth, we had several other relays score by placing in the top 24, including the remainder of our A relays, and seven of our B relays. Contributors to these top 24 relays included: Arioti, Arndt, Barnett, Fletcher Bautz, Bingley, Sean Colson, Dworak, A.Eliason, S.Eliason, Nasim Elkassem, Jed Garner, Liam McDonough, Oehler, Phillips, Qin, Sean Santos, Sebring, Madison Smith, Rachel Soubier, Ainsley Taylor, Livia Venditti, Watkins, Maria Webb, and Yune.