It may be the final week of dual meets and the last chance for coaches to shift swimmers around before they begin gearing up for divisional and all-star meets, but for two division C teams this week will be their hardest and tensest meet of the season.
Potomac Woods will be traveling to take on Mill Creek Towne in a battle of the undefeated – the only set of 4-0 teams in the league – with the winner most likely being crowned division champion.
With only 13 undefeated teams left this late in the season, it is rare that two should come from the same division. The only separating factor in division C so far has been the relay carnival, where Potomac Woods and Mill Creek Towne finished in first and second place, 38 points ahead of their next closest competitor, Quince Orchard. Potomac Woods and Mill Creek Towne have been defeating their opponents by an average of 143.75 and 127.75 points respectively so far this season.
Every event will be close and crucial. Even in the events Potomac Woods is seeded to sweep, there is a Mill Creek Towne competitor right behind them ready to split up the points.
Kiera Ceely (10) from Mill Creek Towne and Erin Gemmell (9) from Potomac Woods both enter this weeks contest with times of 34.08 seconds in the 9-10 girls’ 50-meter free, with their next closest competitor seeded over two seconds behind them. In the next event, the boys 13-14 50 free, there will be seven swimmers seeded within 1.82 seconds. Potomac Wood’s top two swimmers, Joseph Howley (14) and Aaron Lazar (13), enter with times that are separated by just two hundredths of a second.
The 9-10 girls events will also be close, particularly in the back and fly events. Although Potomac Woods is seeded to finish 1-2-3 in the 25 back, Mill Creek Towne has three swimmers who are within striking distance, including Ceely who is seeded in fourth place by less than three-tenths of a second. In the 25 fly, the field enters the meet with a times of 19.67 or faster. Ceely leads the way with a 17.31.
It should be expected that this meet will come down to relays. In the girls 14 & under graduated relay, Mill Creek Towne’s Ceely, Bridget O’Hara (11), Ellie Matusek (14) and Jaynna Crocker (8) have a seven-tenth advantage over Potomac Wood’s Gemmell, Megan Sharkey (12), Isabelle Clark (13) and Lucky Kerchner (7).
Although the winner of this meet does not automatically win the division, a victory for either of these teams takes some of the pressure off of next weeks divisional championships.
Stonegate vs. Upper County
Stonegate is one week away from sealing a undefeated season in the top division in MCSL. Standing in their way is last years champion, Upper County. Upper County will be looking to capitalize on their strong 15-18s and will have the power to sweep every event in the age group, including the 18 & under 200 medley relays.
It won’t be easy, however. Carly Alvarado (16), Dorit Song (16), Meghan Giron (15) and Rosannah Petit (17) from Upper County are seeded only seven tenths of a second ahead of the Stonegate team of Shannon Lamb (12), Cassandra Sanidad (13), Kristen Gload (13) and Melanie Doan (16).
Stonegate should have the advantage in every other age group, especially their 11-12s and 13-14s led by Ryan Gruner (12), Tia Thomas (11), Jordan Wallace (12), Taylor Wallace (11), Brady Ott (14) and Margaret Missig (13).
Germantown vs. Manchester Farms
Despite their 1-3 record, Manchester Farms should put up a strong fight against undefeated Germantown. The virtual meet simulator has Germantown on top by 17 points, but with plenty of close races forecasted, this meet should be decided by the team with the strongest finishes Saturday. The girls 11-12 50 free will be one of the closest races, with Victoria Hayes (12) and Moshelle Borjigin (12) from Germantown and Sarah Elliott (12) from Manchester Farms separated by only four tenths of a second.
Country Glen vs. Glenwood
Country Glen may be undefeated and in first place at the moment, but a loss to Glenwood at both this weekends dual meet and next week’s divisionals will give Glenwood the championship. Glenwood enters this weekends meet with a 3-1 record, with their one loss coming in Week 2 to River Falls. Country Glen has an impressive array of 8 & under talent stemming from 8-year-old twins Samir Elkassem and Nasim Elkassem and Livia Venditti (8), who are expected to be the top finishers in all of their events. Glenwoods response to the Country Glens 8 & under triple threat will likely come from their 11-12 girls, who have the ability to have multiple sweeps, including taking the top five spots in the 50 free.
Daleview vs. Damascus
Daleview may have the undefeated record, but its Damascus (2-2) who is supposed to sneak by and claim the victory this week. However, even with Damascus projected to win this meet, the end result could be very close. Each team is seeded to win 23 individual events apiece. In order to maintain their perfect record, Daleview will need to capitalize on their strong 13-14 boys, led by Eli Park (14), Willis Moran (13) and Parker Cookson (14). Damascus can respond to this threat with a strong showing from their 11-12 boys, who are expected to place first through fourth in the 50 free.