Girls’ swimming outlook: Millbrook eyes another strong showing

After a 14th-place finish at the Class 4 state meet, the Millbrook High School girls’ swim team is vying for another successful campaign this winter.

The Pioneers bring back several key contributors from last year’s roster, including senior Kiera Webster, who was an All-Area First Team selection. Webster swam the 50 freestyle in 25.63 (second among area swimmers), 100 freestyle in 57.72 (third), 500 freestyle in 5:45.30 (second), 100 butterfly (first) in 59.93 and 200 individual medley in 2:18.25 (second). Webster placed sixth in Class 4 in the 100 fly to earn All-State honors and 14th in the 50 free.

Webster will look to lead the Pioneers, who finished fourth in Region 4D last February, alongside seniors Lauren Dennard and Anahi Alvarado. Millbrook will be without junior Riley Pillo, who was an All-Area First Team selection last season but is out with an injury this winter. Freshmen Aline Troung, who placed first in the 100 free (1:02.26) and 100 breaststroke (1:21.46) at the Manassas Park meet last week, and Haley Butler (first in 500 free in 5:50.16) will also aim to propel the team in Pillo’s absence.

Over in Berryville, Clarke County is looking to make another deep run. And with what 23rd-year coach Carol Marshall called “a deep roster,” the Eagles are looking to soar even higher than their eighth-place finish at last year’s Class 2/1 state meet.

Clarke returns a crop of talent including senior Noelle Whalen, who placed fourth in the 100 fly (1:05.65) and eighth in the 500 free (6:05.55) at last year’s state meet. Whalen was also an All-Area First Team selection last season.

Along with Whalen, Clarke brings back sophomore Alyssa Mitchell and seniors Leah Mitchell and Rebecca Spitler, who are all key swimmers for the Eagles’ relay teams. Junior Gracie Brown, who is new to the team this season, has already qualified for states in the 200 free and 100 free.

Back in Region 4D, Sherando will be without Madelyn Twigg, who graduated after being named The Winchester Star’s Girls’ Swimmer of the Year last season. Twigg led area schools in five individual events last season (50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke), leading Sherando to 17th place at states.

To help fill the void left behind Twigg’s departure, the Warriors will turn to junior Savannah Judy (All-Area Second Team), as well as senior Reese Luong and sophomore newcomer Molly Eanes.

James Wood will be led by senior Kallie Gyurisin, a First Team All-Area selection who placed 17th in Class 4 in the 200 IM. She led the area in the 100 breaststroke (1:16.15) and ranked third in the 200 IM (2:28.17). Junior Lauren Thompson (First Team All-Area) was third in the area with a 50 freestyle time of 27.05. Sophia Caruso (Second Team All-Area) is also back. The Colonels finished eighth in Region 4D last season and are looking to qualify a few girls for states this winter.

After placing 10th in the region last season, Handley brings back sophomore Shane Kim, who was an All-Area First Team selection after competing at last year’s Class 4 meet in the 100 free (18th) and 200 free (16th). Kim was second in the area in the 100 freestyle at 57.40 and second in 200 freestyle at 2:05.37.

Senior Kelsye Brown is also a name to watch and someone who coach Alisha Hilliard is high on. The Judges will look to improve upon their 30th-place finish at last year’s state meet.

The following is a look at each team:

Millbrook

Coach: Will Sigler, 11th season.

Last year: Fourth in Region 4D; 14th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Riley Pillo, Morgan Holban, Ansley Pendleton.

Key returners: Kiera Webster, Sr.; Lauren Dennard Sr.; Anahi Alvarado, Sr.

Key newcomers: Aline Troung, Fr.; Haley Butler, Fr.; Allyson Richmond, 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

Clarke County

Coach: Carol Marshall, 23rd season.

Last year: Second in Region 2B; Eighth in Class 2/1 state.

Key losses: Kylie Pranzinko

Key returners: Sasha Danjczek, Sr.; Stella Herndon, So.; Kyleigh Goforth, Sr.; Raea McGeough, So.; Alyssa Mitchell, So.; Leah Mitchell, Sr.; Claire Quijadas, Sr.; Rebecca Spitler, Sr.; Eva Westbrook, So.; Noelle Whalen, Sr.

Key newcomers: Layla Breece, So.; Gracie Brown, Jr.; Layla Hockensmith, So.; Morgan LaMaster, So.; Hannah McGeough, Jr.; Isabella Onderko, So.

Marshall’s outlook: “The returning swimmers will provide a solid backbone to the meet lineup, especially early in the season. They have relay transition experience, which will prove valuable as we are not permitted to dive at our new practice location. Many of our new swimmers are either new to the sport or they were summer league swimmers when they were younger and are returning to the sport. The girls are swimming well during practice and listen well to feedback. We have strength in skill and have a deep roster. I feel we will be competitive within our district and region.”

Next meet: Saturday at Shepherd University

Sherando

Coach: Christine Welch, first season.

Last year: Fifth in Region 4D; 17th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Madelynn Twigg, Adaline Wallin.

Key returners: Reese Luong, Sr.; Ellie Luong, Jr.; Savannah Judy, Jr.

Key newcomers: Molly Eanes, So.; Gracie Sims, Fr.

Welch’s outlook: “Sherando swimmers are improving their skills and contributing to a positive, competitive atmosphere. It’s shaping up to be a successful season with exciting prospects ahead.”

Next meet: Saturday at Jim Barnett Park

James Wood

Coach: Jessica Barr, sixth season.

Last year: Eighth in Region 4D.

Key losses: Samantha Krueger

Key returners: Kallie Gyurisin, Sr.; Ryan Oliver, Sr.; Annie Hua, Sr.; Sophia Caruso, Sr.; Julia Stacy, Sr.; Lauren Thompson, Jr.; Sophia Howard, Jr.; Penny Stacy, So.

Key newcomers: None listed.

Barr’s outlook: “We are very excited that our girls’ team has grown in numbers, which provides additional depth to an already strong squad. Based on the abilities and experiences of our girls, we should be able to fill just about every entry slot at [most] dual meets this season. This will be a big advantage for us. In terms of championship meets, we should be fairly competitive again in our district, and we’d like to improve our regional finish from last year. Another goal that we’re striving for is to qualify a couple of girls for states.”

Next meet: Friday at Warrenton Aquatics Center

Handley

Coach: Alisha Hilliard, second season.

Last year: Tenth in Region 4D; 30th in Class 4 state.

Key losses: Laura Salley

Key returners: Shane Kim, So.; Kelsye Brown, Sr.; Lexi Meleason, Jr.; Sierra Campbell, So.

Key newcomers: None listed.

Hilliard’s outlook: “Last year, Shane Kim made it to the state meet in two individual events (100 and 200 free). We might look at similar events or different ones this season since she has a bit of a range. Kelsye Brown has the potential for strong performances at the region meet. As a whole, we look forward to seeing good time drops and other improvements within the girls’ team.

“We have a lot of girls who are committed to learning and growing in the sport, and we look forward to seeing what they are capable of this season and future seasons. 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

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