Clarke County girls’ swimming amassed quite the resume last season. The Eagles placed first at the Region 2B/1B meet before placing fifth at the Class 2B/1B state competition.
Winchester Star Swimming Coach of the Year Carol Marshall’s squad featured three All-Area First Team selections, two of whom are back this season. Senior Gracie Brown returns after placing first at the region meet in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyles, as well as placing fourth in the latter at states.
Junior Alyssa Mitchell, the other returning First Team selection, will also look to build on her success after placing fourth in the 50 and the 500 freestyle at regions. She placed 10th and 12th in those respective events at states.
However, because Clarke County lost five key seniors, including First Team selection Noelle Whalen, the Eagles’ road to another region title isn’t especially clear. With nine newcomers on the roster, Clarke County will hope some of its new swimmers make an immediate impact.
In the Northwestern District, Millbrook stands out most among a competitive group of local teams. The Pioneers finished fourth in Region 4D and 14th in the Class 4 state meet last season and return four of their five all-area selections from last season, including First Team choices in senior Riley Pillo and sophomore Haley Butler.
After a first-place finish in the 100 breaststroke and a second-place finish in the 50 freestyle at regions, Pillo placed 15th and 16th in those events at states. Though she’ll be looking to build on these performances, an injury could impact her senior season.
Butler returns after a strong debut season, where she placed fifth in the 500 freestyle at the region meet and 15th in the event at states. She was the area’s second-best 500 freestyle competitor.
Even with these impact swimmers still around, Millbrook will miss graduated senior Kiera Webster, the 2024-25 Winchester Star Girls’ Swimmer of the Year who placed second in the 100 fly at the region meet and sixth in the event at states last season. She also led the area in four different events.
After finishing last season behind the Pioneers, James Wood, Sherando and Handley will each look to take a step forward after the three schools experienced similar levels of success. The Colonels finished sixth in Region 4D, but failed to score at states last season. The Warriors placed seventh in the region and 25th at states, while Handley came in 23rd at states after an eighth-place region finish.
Of the three, James Wood brought back the fewest all-area selections. Second Team selection Lauren Thompson will return for her senior season after helping her team’s 400 freestyle relay finish fifth in Region 4D last winter. The Colonels will have several roster holes to fill after the departure of five swimmers, including All-Area First Team choice Kallie Gyurisin.
Sherando will be led by sophomore Gracie Sims and senior Molly Eanes after both were All-Area picks last season. Sims placed fourth in the 100 breaststroke at the Region 4D meet and was the area’s leader in the event. She was also the area’s second-best performer in the 50 freestyle last season.
The Judges retained several key upperclassmen, including junior Shane Kim, who made the All-Area First Team after she placed third in the 100 fly and fourth in the 200 freestyle at the region meet. She finished in 12th and 15th place in those respective events at states.
With the season in its early beginnings, here’s a closer look at all five teams’ rosters and expectations:
Clarke County
Coach: Carol Marshall, 24th season.
Last season: First in Region 2B/1B; fifth in Class 2/1 state.
Key losses: Noelle Whalen, Leah Mitchell, Kyleigh Goforth, Rebecca Spitler, Sasha Danjczek
Key returnees: Gracie Brown (Sr.), Stella Herdon (Jr.), Morgan LaMaster (Jr.), Hannah McGeough (Sr.), Raea McGeough (Jr.), Alyssa Mitchell (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Grace Gerenski (Jr.), Lyla Gerenski (Fr.), Haley Hash (Fr.), Lilly Hash (Fr.), Reese Kelly (Fr.), Isabella King (Jr.), Sarah Jane Simmons (Fr.), Morgan Smith (Fr.), Prudence Whitson (So.)
Marshall’s outlook: “This will be a building year … Gracie Brown, Stella Herdon, Morgan LaMaster, Hannah McGeough, Raea McGeough, and Alyssa Mitchell will provide a solid foundation for the girls’ team. Isabella King, Sarah Jane Simmons, Morgan Smith, and Reese Kelly lead a large group of promising incoming swimmers. Grace and Lyla Gerenski are new to the sport but are very athletic and are quickly learning the strokes.”
Next meet: Saturday versus Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School at SwimRVA in Richmond
Millbrook
Coach: Will Sigler, 12th season.
Last season: Fourth in Region 4D; 14th in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Kiera Webster, Lauren Dennard.
Key returnees: Riley Pillo (Sr.), Ayelen Arias (Sr.), Haley Butler (So.), Aline Truong (So.), Sarah Young (Jr.), Allyson Richmond (So.)
Key newcomers: Rebecca Landivar-Lopez (Fr.), Naomi Pifer (Fr.)
Sigler’s outlook: “Our expectations are to improve every week during the season. We look forward to creating an environment for team bonding and school spirit. This environment will help us be competitive at meets and move on in the postseason. We are looking to head back to states with swimmers in individual events and relays. We unfortunately have had some injuries this season, which will set us back. It will be a challenge to be competitive in our district/region because we are a smaller team. With our smaller team, it will be a challenge to score a lot of points as a team. We should be competitive with our first and second-place finishes in some events.
“We are looking for Haley Butler and Aline Truong to win their individual events this season and strengthen our relays. Riley Pillo is one of those athletes that is willing to help in any way she can.”
Next meet: Friday vs. Fauquier and Meridian at Manassas Park Community Center
James Wood
Coach: Jessica Barr, seventh season.
Last season: Sixth in Region 4D; Didn’t score in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Kallie Gyurisin, Ryan Oliver, Annie Hua, Sophia Caruso, Julia Stacy.
Key returnees: Lauren Thompson (Sr.), Sophia Howard (Sr.), Julia Rheinberger (Jr.), Lois Brian (So.)
Key newcomers: Grace Thompson (Fr.), Haley Trenary (Fr.)
Barr’s outlook: “Our goal is to continue the success that we had last season, and continue to compete with our local teams. The team looks a bit different this year with some newcomers and many of our veteran swimmers graduated. We should be able to have some depth in numbers, which will allow us to be competitive in most of our dual meets, and then possibly [have the] potential to finish top five in the region.”
Next meet: Dec. 12 vs. Fauquier and Meridian at Warrenton Aquatics Center
Sherando
Coach: Christine Welch, second season.
Last season: Seventh in Region 4D; 25th in Class 4 state.
Key losses: Gracie Defibaugh, Reese Luong.
Key returnees: Gracie Sims (So.), Molly Eanes (Jr.), Savannah Judy (Sr.), Sienna Forrer (Sr.)
Key newcomer: Maddison Lahr (Fr.)
Welch’s outlook: “Although we graduated several outstanding female swimmers last year, we have a strong group of returning talented athletes. With these key returners and some impressive new additions, Sherando is shaping up to field a highly competitive women’s team this season.”
Next meet: Saturday in tri vs. Brentsville and Kettle Run at Charles J. Colgan
Handley
Coach: Alisha Hilliard, third season.
Last season: Eighth in Region 4D; 23rd in Class 4 state
Key loss: Kelsye Brown
Key returnees: Shane Kim (Jr.), Lexi Meleason (Sr.), Lee Mabe (Sr.)
Key newcomers: Ellie Shoemaker (Fr.), Hannah Kim (Fr.)
Hilliard’s outlook: “This is probably one of the largest girls’ swim teams Handley has had in recent years. The team is a mix of different experience levels, talent and new faces that are committed to improving in the sport. We have some returnees, as well as newcomers, who could contribute to some competitive relays this year, as well as individuals who might have strong showings at both the district and region levels. We’re excited to see what the season brings”
Next meet: Tuesday vs. Millbrook and Kettle Run at Jim Barnett Park
— Contact Joe Tuman at jtuman@winchesterstar.com
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