Girls' Swimming Preview
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Swimmer to Watch
Ashley Danner, Sr., Lake Braddock
A three-time All-Met, Danner returns after finishing second at the Virginia AAA meet in both the 100-meter breaststroke and 100 freestyle. She had two automatic all-American times in both the 100-meter breast (1 minute 10.33 seconds) and 500-yard freestyle (4:56.52). "She's a phenomenal swimmer, and she leads by example," said Robinson Coach Rich Gordon. "Just a tremendous work ethic. They can put Ashley anywhere, and she'll probably win." Danner will swim at George Mason this fall and has qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials.
Story Lines
1. Richard Montgomery rebuilds
This year, Richard Montgomery saw the retirement of All-Met Coach of the Year Christa Krukiel, who was with the school for 12 years, the graduation of two-time All-Met Katura Harvey and the departure of All-Met sophomore Cara Chuang, who transferred to Poolesville after setting the 100-yard backstroke record at Metros last year. The Rockets will face a challenge as they look to regroup behind their new coach, Aryn Wheeler, and chase their fourth consecutive Montgomery County championship.
2. The race for Virginia
Yorktown has won two straight Virginia AAA championships, but after losing several fast swimmers last year, it may have a difficult time picking up a third. Several other Northern Region teams -- Lake Braddock, Robinson and Fairfax -- have legitimate shots to overtake Yorktown.
3. Parity abounds
The Good Counsel girls' team has been dominant at Metros the past few years, and with several returning fast swimmers, it figures to be the favorite again. But some coaches said that from the battle in Virginia to a much more open Montgomery County, there isn't any one dominant team this year.
Around the Area
Poolesville will look to challenge this year with the addition of All-Met Cara Chuang, who transferred from Richard Montgomery, and freshmen Elizabeth Pepper and Devan Maneely, who are junior national qualifiers in the 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke. "Their girls' team will be very good," said Walter Johnson Coach Jamie Grimes. Chuang qualified for the Olympic trials in the 100 backstroke. . . . Walter Johnson returns senior Elena Spak, who is one of the top sprinters in the area and will swim for Pittsburgh next year, and junior Mina Vucic, who finished third in Metros last year in the 50-meter freestyle. . . .
Stone Bridge returns two-time All-Met Suzanne Schwee, who will swim next year for Alabama. Teammate Emily Winland signed to swim for Virginia Tech. . . . Fairfax junior Ellyn Baumgardner returns as one of the top swimmers in the area and, along with senior Emily Ferguson, makes Fairfax a serious challenger for the state title. . . . Fauquier returns another top swimmer in freestyler Caitlin Perks, who will challenge for the state title in the 100- and 200-meter free. . . . Potomac Falls is the heavy favorite again for the Dulles District and Region II crowns.
-- Paul Tenorio
