SWIMMING - Wood’s Babington wins regional title

RICHMOND — James Wood senior Conor Babington took first place in the 50-yard freestyle as the lone area winner at the 4A North Region Swimming Championship at the Collegiate School Aquatics Center on Friday night.

Babington won with a time of 22.50 seconds, edging runner-up Jonathon Pins of Courtland by five hundredths of a second (22.25).

While Babington posted the only area victory, several swimmers placed in the top 10 individually to advance to the 4A state meet.

Millbrook’s girls placed eighth out of 19 teams.

Millbrook sophomore Abbey Esslinger took third in the 200 individual medley (2:15.37) and sixth in the 100 fly (1:02.58).

The Pioneers sophomore Lindsay Fairbanks placed fourth in the 200 free (2:00.29), and third in the 500 free (5:20.98), and junior Taylor Linder came in sixth in the 100 free (57.81) and ninth in the 50 free (26.43).

Millbrook’s girls’ 400 free relay placed fifth (3:57.84).

Heritage won the team title with 221 points. Woodgrove (219), King George (216), Jefferson Forest (205.5) and Dominion (168) rounded out the top five. James Wood followed in 12th with 78 points, Sherando came in 14th (27 points) and Handley placed 16th (19 points).

James Wood sophomore Zoe Schopick came in fifth in the both the 200 IM (2:24.44) and 100 fly (1:02.16), and Colonels senior Sara Fergus placed sixth in the 50 free (26.15).

The Colonels’ Erin Jackson came in seventh in the 100 back (1:03.99).

Sherando’s Laura Ferguson placed fifth in the 100 free (57.20) and sixth in the 100 back (1:03.90).

Handley’s Meredith Watts placed 10th in both the 50 free (26.48) and 100 free (59.02).

James Wood’s girls 200 free relay team placed eighth (1:50.02).

In the boys’ meet, Millbrook senior Alex Morrow took fourth in the 200 free (1:52.11) and 10th in the 100 back (59.58), and teammate Chris Patton placed 10th in the 50 free (23.68).

Sherando’s Ethan Medrano took seventh in the 100 free (51.57) came in ninth in the 50 free (23.46).

Handley’s boys 200 free relay placed seventh (1:36.99).

King George won the boys’ meet with 291 points. Courtland (196), Dominion (186), Woodgrove (171) and Loudoun County (165) completed the top five.

Handley (13th, 38 points) led the way among local teams followed by Millbrook (14th, 35), Sherando (17th, 25) and James Wood (20th, 20) in the 22-team boys’ meet.

The top 10 individuals and top eight relays from the 4A North championship as well as any individuals or teams who already posted state-qualifying times will compete in the 4A state championship meet at the Christiansburg Aquatics Center on Thursday.