SWIMMING
Depth identifies Atlee as region favorite
Karen Seeber is bullish on Atlee's chances in Saturday's Central Region championships at NOVA.
"We are not dominant in every event, but we are strong in every event," the Raiders coach said. "We have a lot of depth and we can fill all the events. Most other teams can't do that."
Atlee's biggest strength, Seeber says, is its mix of young and veteran talent.
"We haven't had to go through that rebuilding year. We've got a lot of siblings on our roster, and I've coached their older brothers or sisters."
One of the biggest challenges the Raiders will face in the boys competition will come from Maggie Walker Governor's School.
"We hope to give their boys team a run for its money," Green Dragons coach Rob Sultzer said.
Christian Vivadelli and Andrew Drummond could enable Maggie Walker to do so. Drummond has qualified in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events.
"Andrew is a sophomore, and he has really come on as a distance swimmer," Sulzter said.
Columbia-bound Vivadelli is a versatile swimmer. Sultzer hasn't decided in which events he will compete.
Sulzter said Livvy Call has been the biggest surprise for the Green Dragon girls.
"She's a strong freestyler and she's really helped us on relays. We need one more good freestyle swimmer for our relays and she's done that."
Goochland duo shatters records
Goochland's boys finished fifth and its girls placed sixth in the Region B championships, but coach Elizabeth Ford was pleased with her team's performance.
"Our swimmers have been under the weather a bit," Ford said. "But they never complained, they just came out and swam the best they could. And most of our swimmers got their best time."
Two of those swimmers, Justin Edwards and Mary Wright, rewrote the region record book in the 500-yard freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Edwards and Wright recorded dominant victories in the 500 free, Edwards by more than 48 seconds and Wright by 25 seconds. Edwards won his 100 breaststroke title by 3.5 seconds while Wright edged George Mason's Beth Cashin by .12 seconds.
Willie Sisk also qualified for state competition with a pair of third-place finishes in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. However, Sisk and Wright will not take part in the state championships.
Wright "swims a lot for NOVA, as well, and she's had so many events lately that she needed a break," Ford said. "Willie is attending High Point next season and has to be there Friday."
VHSL
The VHSL's redistricting and reclassification committee released a proposed alignment Monday for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. Under the proposed plan, the Central Region would be unchanged.
George Templeton and Eric Kolenich
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