Boys’ swimming outlook: Wood looks to build off impressive campaign

The James Wood High School swimming team made its mark in the history books last season.

Not only did the Colonels place third in Region 4D and win the Holiday Hundreds Invitational, but they also had Joe Warnagiris record Frederick County’s first-ever state titles in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. The Colonels also placed eighth out of 30 scoring teams at the Class 4 state meet.

And with plenty of returning talent this winter, the Colonels are vying for even more success this time around while competing with the other local teams.

James Wood brings back Warnagiris and Eddie Grimes, who were at the top of nearly every event last season among area teams. Individually, Warnagiris — a two-time Winchester Star Boys’ Swimmer of the Year — led the area in the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 fly and 200 IM. He was also second in the area in 50 free. Grimes placed seventh in Class 4 in the 100 back to earn All-State honors and also placed 11th in the 200 free.

The Colonels also return Alex Hua, who posted a 52.60 in the 100-yard freestyle — an event Wood had the top three area swimmers in last season. Zach Harrington, Josh Harty and Michael Thompson also come back for Wood after making the All-Area Second Team.

Wood will be without Ethan Britton, who was a member of each of the Colonels’ top relay teams and graduated in the spring. Coach Jessica Barr, who won The Winchester Star Boys’ Coach of the Year award, said Britton will be tough to replace but is hoping to have another boys relay qualify for states.

Millbrook, the only other local school to qualify swimmers for the Class 4 meet, finished 29th at states.

The Pioneers lost several top performers from last season, including Wyatt Post and Zack Carter. They will compete with nine boys on this year’s roster, headlined by junior Nathan Truong, who finished 13th in 200 the IM at last year’s state meet. Nick Nith, Xavier LaFalce and Rhien Julich are other area names to watch.

Sherando will have senior Toby Winston at its disposal once again after he didn’t compete last year. As a sophomore, Winston received All-State honors in the 50 free (sixth) and 100 free (eighth). The Warriors also return senior Jackson Hepner, who was an All-Area Second Team selection last season. Hepner took 11th in the 100 back.

Handley brings back Will Thomas, but he is recovering from an injury. The Judges also will have seniors Joe Nelson, Max Smith and Josiah Miller. Nelson had the highest Region 4D finish among Judges last year, taking 12th in the 100 fly.

In Region 2B, Clarke County is coming off a fifth-place finish at the Class 2/1 state meet last season and will look to excel again in Richmond. But reaching that target will come with a new challenge.

Two years removed from a second-place finish at states, Clarke will have to swim in the Wellness Center in Winchester following the closing of the Signal Knob Recreation Center in Strasburg.

With the updated practice location, 23rd-year Clarke coach Carol Marshall said the Eagles will not be able to practice getting off the starting block fast and relay transitions on a regular basis, which is a concern.

Marshall also said her new swimmers will need to fill the shoes of several departed Eagles who were key members of relay teams, as Jefferson Fairbanks, Ethan Marchisano, Ron Martin and Patrick Whalen, all of whom were key members of the relay teams, graduated. Fairbanks had the area’s quickest 50 freestyle time last year with 22.01.

Clarke does bring back Landon Beamer, Ryan Hooks and Jack Westbrook. Hooks placed fourth in the 100 back and seventh in the 100 free at last year’s Class 2 meet to earn All-State honors in both events last year.

The following is a look at each team:

James Wood

Coach: Jessica Barr, sixth season.

Last year: Third in Region 4D; won Holiday Hundreds Invitational; Tied for eighth in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Ethan Britton

Key returners: Joe Warnagiris Sr.; Alex Hua Sr.; Josh Harty Jr.; Michael Thompson Jr.; Eddie Grimes So.; Zach Harrington, So.

Key newcomers: Julian Nardelli, Fr.

Barr’s outlook: “We are still a small but hopefully competitive boys’ team. We still have a great bit of talent on the team and optimizing each swimmer in their signature events will certainly be key to our success. We hope to compete as well as we did last year in terms of the district and region. Among the local teams, we’d like to continue to leave our mark when it comes to top times. Ethan will surely be a hard one to replace on our top relays, but our ultimate goal is to get another boys’ relay to qualify for states.”

Next meet: Friday at Warrenton Aquatics Center

Clarke County

Coach: Carol Marshall, 23rd season.

Last year: First in Region 2B; Fifth at Class 2/1 state.

Key losses: Jefferson Fairbanks, Ethan Marchisano, Ronnie Martin, Patrick Whalen

Key returners: Landon Beamer, So.; Ryan Hooks, Sr.; Jack Westbrook, Sr.

Key newcomers: Cord Hornbaker, Fr.; Sergej Janic, So.; Samuel Sinclair, Fr.; Eamon Whalen, Fr.

Marshall’s outlook: “The freshmen and new swimmers have big shoes to fill on the relays. We lost key swimmers in each relay. Freshmen Eamon Whalen and Samuel Sinclair are experienced, skilled swimmers, though not quite as physically strong yet as the boys who graduated. Cord Hornbaker and Sergej Janic are new to competitive swimming. I’m counting on Ryan Hooks, Jack Westbrook and Landon Beamer to fill in the lineup around the new swimmers in the beginning until we find their true strengths. I feel we will be competitive in our district and region.”

Next meet: Saturday at Shepherd University

Millbrook

Coach: Will Sigler, 11th season.

Last year: Sixth in Region 4D; 29th at Class 4 state.

Key losses: Zack Carter, Nathan Regula, Wyatt Post, Franco Menay, Alejandro Landers

Key returners: Nick Nith, Jr.; Nathan Truong, Jr.

Key newcomers: Matthew Alban, Fr.

Sigler’s outlook: “The goal for the Millbrook swim team this year is to get better every day through hard work. We as a team are looking to improve our standing in the district and have more swimmers move into the postseason.”

Next meet: Friday at Jim Barnett Park

Handley

Coach: Alisha Hilliard, second season.

Last year: Did not score at Region 4D meet

Key losses: None listed.

Key returners: Joe Nelson, Sr.; Max Smith, Sr.; Josiah Miller, Sr.

Key newcomers: None listed.

Hilliard’s outlook: “We’re hoping to build the skills of the newcomers and further develop skills of the returners, looking forward to seeing improvements. We’ve had low numbers on the boys’ team in recent years, but last year and this year we’ve had better numbers. So, while there’s definitely room for skill development, we’re looking forward to seeing how they compete...

“Swimming competitively is still very new to a lot of high school students at Handley. I’m hopeful that eventually there will be more kids with experience in the sport before entering high school.”

First meet: Saturday at Colgan

Sherando

Coach: Christine Welch, first season.

Last year: Did not score at Region 4D meet

Key loss: Joseph Moe

Key returners: Jackson Hepner, Sr.; Toby Winston, Sr. (did not swim in 2023-34 season); Aiden Callas, Jr.

Key newcomers: Isaiah McManigle, Fr.

Welch’s outlook: “The Sherando swim team is off to a great start. We have many promising swimmers showing significant potential.”

Next meet: Saturday at Jim Barnett Park

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