The Paul VI boys and girls swim teams have turned in solid swim seasons in 2003. The Panthers, coached by Joe Gesker, graduated a lot of individual talent last season, but have still been competitive in this current season.

The Panther boys defeated St. John’s in their most recent dual meet. Earlier in the season, the boys also knocked off Ireton, Seton (Manassas), Norfolk Academy, Greenbrier (Va.), Wilson (D.C.), Kent County (Md.) amongst others.

"The boys finished the dual meet season a shade over .500," said Gesker.

A number of swimmers have turned in excellent results this season. The three Panther captains are senior Shea Manning, senior P.J. Santiago and junior Pat Cureton. Santiago was injured virtually the entire season.

Manning and Cureton were just two of the "Black and Gold" sparkplugs during the current season, which runs from late November through late February.

Manning finished first in one-meter diving and eighth in the 100-freestyle at the prestigious Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim and Dive League Championships in early February.

"Shea is one of the most dedicated youngsters I've ever coached. He gets real focused and it carries over to everyone else on the team," said Gesker.

"In terms of winning the diving, a lot of it was mental. I defeated Billy Janela of Gonzaga in the finals. It helped that I was ahead of him in the diving order," said Manning.

Cureton achieved eighth-place in the 100 butterfly at the National Catholic Championships at Villanova in early February.

"I was very pleased," he said. "I was determined to do well. I got some great encouragement from all of my teammates."

Junior Luke Kieler placed seventh in the 100 butterfly at metro prep school meet.

"I was very happy with my time," Kieler said. "It was a meet that involved all of the private schools from the entire area."

Other Panthers that have had excellent seasons include: senior diver Mike Altenburger, senior freestyler Derrek Francis-Diamond, junior freestyle/backstroker Mike Chauvin, sophomore freestyle/backstroker Mike Kane and freshman freestyle/backstroker Matt Chauvin.

"I was very pleased with the boys. They were definitely competitive and they did their best," said Gesker.

The Lady Panthers also have been competitive during the current season. The girls defeated: Seton (Manassas), Norfolk Academy, Greenbrier (Va.), Tabb (Va.), Wilson (D.C.), Kent County (Md.), and St. Anthonys (N.Y.).

"The girls also finished the dual meet season a shade above 500," said Gesker. "Considering all of the kids that we graduated one season earlier I was quite pleased."

Pacing the girls was senior captains: Jen Tan, Audrey Staples and Sarah Sullivan. Tan earned fourth place in the 100 butterfly at the national meet. Tan finished second in the 100 butterfly at the metro meet. Tan also captured a number of first-places during the dual meet season.

Staples placed in the "consolation finals" at Villanova in the 100 butterfly and the 100 back.

"We've always had a very good team. We're friends in or out of the pool. We help one another. We cheer each other on," said Staples.

Other "Black and Gold" ladies that have had strong seasons include senior breaststroker Anne Bruns, senior breaststroker Jackie Crook, junior freestyler Liz Pascale, junior butterfly/freestyler Leah Marsallo, sophomore freestyler Emily Campbell, sophomore freestyler Stasia Rapp, sophomore freestyler Lauren Walter, sophomore breaststroker Rachel Shoumaker, freshman freestyler Ellen Bauer and freshman freestyler Ana Jakabcin.

"The girls truly had a real good season," said Gesker. "A lot of them turned in their best times. They were competitive in every meet and they did their best."

Select members of the PVI, O'Connell and Ireton boys/girls swim teams will compete Feb. 22 at the "Metros" at Montgomery Aquatic Center. It is a prestigious meet involving all of the private schools in the area as well as the top Maryland public schools.

PVI Continue to Surge

In basketball action from Feb. 14, Paul VI boys defeated St. John’s 57-44.

Pacing the Panthers: Steve Proctor (15 points), Terron Diggs (12), Nick Grant (12), Sam Ellis-Johnson (eight), Darryl Proctor (seven) and Chase Miller (three). PVI, coached by Levi Franklin, improved to 19-6 overall (13-3 WCAC).

O'Connell defeated Carroll 83-60. Pacing the Knights was Dave Neal (19), Freddie Stanback (17), Marcus Ginyard (15), Brian Johnson (12), Erik Smith (10), Ernie Lomax (seven) and Jeremy Trimble (three). O'Connell, coached by Joe Wootten, improved to 21-4 overall (12-3).

Ireton was not able to knock off DeMatha on the road, despite having defeated the Stags in Alexandria three weeks ago for the first time in school history.

DeMatha led the Cardinals 41-28 at halftime, but pulled away in the second half before winning 75-43. Pacing the Cardinals: Trey Blincoe (15), Daeshawn Branch (eight), Dan Blaine (six), Matt Coleman (four), Steve Sprague (four), Peter DelaCruz (three), Will Viilo (two) and William Bryant (one). The Cardinals dropped to 5-19 overall (1-15 W.C.A.C.).

The girls WCAC playoffs are scheduled to take place at American University (weather conditions permitting) Feb. 20-23. The boys playoffs – also at American – were scheduled for Feb. 21-23.