Ireton Girls Finish Swim Season in Top Form

By David Steinbacher
Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 3/21/02)

Whereas the Ireton boys, Paul VI boys, O'Connell boys, Paul VI girls and O'Connell girls had excellent seasons in the pool - the Ireton girls had an exceptional season.

The Lady Cardinals, led by third-year head coach Aaron Parker, recorded the best season in school history (12 total seasons).

The "Cardinal and Gold" finished second (to Good Counsel) at the prestigious Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim and Dive League Championships held at the Freedom Aquatic Center in Manassas.

In addition, the Ireton girls placed fourth at the competitive Washington   Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships — behind only Good Counsel, Sherwood and Whitman.

In other words, Ireton was the number one private school swim team during the current season from the Northern Virginia. In dual meets this season, the Cardinals not only defeated rivals Paul VI, O'Connell, T.C. Williams and St. Stephens/St. Agnes, they also defeated Madeira, Potomac School, Holton Arms, Bullis, National Cathedral and even Good Counsel. The victory over the Falcons was the first time in several seasons that Good Counsel suffered a dual meet loss.

Nearly 25 teams competed at the prep school championship. Nearly 40 teams competed at the "Metros." 

Sophomore Colleen Sullivan led the Cardinals at "Metros." She placed second in the 50 free and third in the 100 free. Sullivan earned All-American consideration based on her 50 free time. Senior Paige Capro placed sixth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 breaststroke. Senior Patty Park was seventh in diving and sophomore Kara Verducci ninth in 100 backstroke.

The Cardinals relay team (junior Meredith Hughes, sophomore Alaina McMurray, freshman Jill LeBlanc and Sullivan) placed first in the 200 freestyle. The foursome, with a combined eight seasons of eligibility remaining in their careers, also achieved All-American consideration in this event.

Sullivan, Capro and the relay team also led the Cardinals at the prep school meet. Both Sullivan and Capro earned first-team honors. 

"It has been a great season," said Capro. "We were undefeated (10-0) in our dual meets, and we had a great windup to the season. The younger girls will do very well next year as well." Capro is likely headed to William and Mary.

It was the first undefeated season in school history. A vast majority of swimmers/divers return next season.

"It was a very amazing season," said Parker. "The girls earned a whole lot of respect from the other schools. We have improved substantially in each of my three seasons. I'll definitely be back next year."

The Cardinal boys finished in the middle of the pack at "Metros," and sixth overall at the prep school meet.

Leading the boys’ efforts was junior Chris Soniak, who finished first in the 200 IM and fifth in the 100 butterfly. Senior Adam Zurowski was fourth in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 free.

Coach Parker was satisfied with the season. "When we had all of our guys healthy at the dual meets - we were a very good team," he said.

The Paul VI Panthers sent head coach Joe Gesker (nine seasons) into retirement on a high note. Gesker is not only a history teacher at the Fairfax school, but was the first coach inducted into PVI’s Athletic Hall of Fame in January. Gesker led the Panther boys to a fifth-place finish at "Metros."

Spearheading the effort was senior Joe Pascale (first in 100 freestyle, second in 50 freestyle), seniors Kevin Walter and Corey Rooney and junior Shea Manning.

"I was very pleased with this team," Gesker said. "It was one of the gutsiest squads I have ever coached. They had a very special season. Both Joe (Pascale) and Shea (Manning) were selected team MVP's."

The Lady Panthers placed eighth overall at "Metros." Leading the effort were seniors Claire Jakabcin (third in diving), Michelle Calanog (fourth 100 butterfly) and junior Jen Tann (seventh in 100 butterfly).

"The girls did exceptionally well this season," said Gesker. "They faced a lot of adversity. They gave 100 percent. I couldn't be prouder. Both Michelle (Calanog) and Jen (Tann) were selected team MVP's."

O'Connell coach Evan Stiles was unavailable for comment, but both the boys and girls teams finished just behind Ireton and Paul VI in both of meets. The boys’ team was paced by senior Chris Dean, freshman John Dragellin, sophomore Tom Rooney and sophomore Drew Hellman.

The girls were led at "Metros" by senior Cathy Kenworthy (second in the 500 free and third in the 200 IM); sophomore Casey Fimian (fifth in the 100 breaststroke) and freshman Laura Beth Puglisi (fifth in both the 50 and 100 freestyle).

In addition, the girls’ relay team of Kenworthy, sophomore Carrie Carpenter, Fimian and Puglisi captured fourth place in the 400 freestyle.

"One of the best things about this season was being able to work with the younger girls," said Hunter.

"It has been an exciting year," said Kenworthy, who likely will swim next year at Columbia University in New York. "Edging out Good Counsel All-Met Amanda Burke at the "Metros" meet was very satisfying."

Kenworthy shattered the all-time O'Connell record in the 500 freestyle, Puglisi, only a freshman, broke the O'Connell record in both the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

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