Griffin Oehler, Charlie Begin, Angela Kadoorie Earn Spots on All-Star Team Trip to London!
RMSC’s National Team travelled to the NCSA Spring Championships (Junior Nationals), held March 17-21 in Orlando, Florida. Despite several travel difficulties which prevented much of the team from arriving on time, RMSC swimmers quickly got into the racing spirit, and produced many good times and top finishes. The meet featured over 1100 of the fastest 18&Under swimmers from all across the country, representing over 100 clubs. RMSC finished 9th in combined scoring; separately the Boys finished 7th and the Girls finished 20th. The top 24 finishers in each event scored points for the club, while the top 40 made it back to finals. In addition, this meet was a selection meet, as the top eligible finishers in each event qualified to represent Team USA on the NCSA All-Star team that will compete at the Adam Peaty Race Invitational in London, England this May, against an international field of top swimmers. This year, RMSC had three swimmers qualify!
Griffin Oehler led the team in scoring with 135 points. He qualified for London in several events, led by a 1st place in 200 IM in 1:43.52, which was a RMSC Team, NCSA Meet, and Rosen Center Pool record. He also qualified with a 2nd in 200 back (1:41.09), 3rd in 200 free (1:35.87), and 4th in 100 back (47.62), and was also 8th in 100 fly. Charlie Begin made the team with his 6th place 100 back (48.12). He also finished top 16 in 500 free, and top 32 in 200 free. Angela Kadoorie then qualified with her 5th place finish in 200 breast (2:11.75). She added a top 24 in 100 breast, and top 32 in 200 fly and 200 IM. We wish Griffin, Charlie, and Angela the best as they train for London!
A host of other RMSC swimmers made finals appearances. Nick Liberty joined our London qualifiers as a medalist with an 8th in 1650 free, and was also top 40 in 500 free. Alex Jungbluth was top 16 in 50 fly and 200 fly, and top 24 in 50 back and 100 fly. Trevor Donley finished top 16 in 1650 free, and was top 24 in 500 free, 1000 free, and 400 IM. Viona Sunjaya placed top 16 in 200 breast, and top 24 in 50 breast and 100 breast. Gigi Ancheta finished top 16 in 100 back, and added top 24 finishes in 50 back and 100 fly. Cooper Zakorchemny finished top 16 in 500 free and top 24 in 1650 free. Gabby Day had a top 16 in 50 free and a top 40 in 200 free. Celia Watkins finished top 24 in 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM. Grant Haley was top 24 in 200 fly and top 32 in 100 fly. Also adding top 32 and top 40 finishes were: Anika Cai, Gabi Kaiser, Jonathan Lombardo, and Colton Mettler.
Many of our best swims and much of our scoring in this team effort came on relays. Our top finish was a 4th in the Boys’ 400 free relay, where the team of Griffin Oehler, Charlie Begin, Colton Mettler, and Gigi Ancheta broke the Team record in 2:59.47. Two other relays made the podium with top 8 finishes: the Boys’ 400 medley relay of Begin, Oehler, Alex Jungbluth, and Mettler, and the Boys’ 800 free relay of Oehler, Begin, Trevor Donley, and Brig Barnett. The Girls also had a top 16 and two other top 24 relay finishes, while the boys had two top 16 and one other top 24 finish, all of which scored for the team. Additional contributors to these relays included: Anika Cai, McKenna Carswell, Gabby Day, Patrick Fisher, Grant Haley, Jonathan Lombardo, Taiyo Murphy, Anna Nishnianidze, Seamus Rooney, Viona Sunjaya, and Celia Watkins.
Congratulations to our National Team! They will be in action again this Summer at a host of competitions, including USA Senior and Junior Nationals in Irvine, CA, and NCSA Summer Junior Nationals in Indianapolis, IN.
