Patriots finish second at swim regionals

ROBBY

Sports Editor

At the VHSL Class 4, Region B Swimming and Diving Championships, the Patrick Henry Patriots just kept on finding themselves with a medal in hand and an athlete punching a ticket to the upcoming Class 4 State Championship.

The Patriots finished the day in second place, complete with five gold medalists and seven silver medalists to place behind Monacan for the region title. Behind the Patriots were the mighty Hanover Hawks, who placed third. The Atlee Raiders also finished the day in sixth while the Mechanicsville Mustangs finished in seventh.

In their individual events, the Patriots had nine top-2 finishes, with Amanda Barnard winning the 500 freestyle (4:53.67) and placing second in the 200 individual medley (2:01.74).

Hayden Bartz was also a winner, taking first place in the 500 freestyle (4:40.96). Bartz’ teammate

Molly Hoben also took second place in the 100 backstroke (59.32) and the 100 freestyle (54.48).

The last individual champ for Patrick Henry was Cole Nuckols in the 200 freestyle (1:48.44), where Nuckols bested King George’s A.J. Green in a close battle between the top two finishers.

Nuckols was also part of the 200 freestyle relay team featuring Kaleb Kashinejad, Michael Causey and Bartz that won with a time of 1:28.87. Kashinejad, Bartz, Nuckols and Thomas Senfield also won the 400 freestyle relay (3:15.67).

For the Hawks, junior Nathaniel Eliason was the lone first place winner after a win in the 100-yard freestyle where he recorded a time of 47.18 seconds while his teammate Sam Castle was close behind in second place with a 48.38-second finish. They also had a standout performance from states-bound junior Jordyn Dillard, who placed second in the 500 freestyle (5:09.48) and the 200 freestyle (1:57.07). A pair of third place finishes from Campbell Derrico in the 100 freestyle (54.80) and the 200 freestyle (1:57.91) also added to a productive day for the team. Atlee will see one of its swimmers advance to the state championship level in freshman Jenna Stevens, who placed fifth in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:10.86 that beat sixth place finisher Kate Balut from Patrick Henry by 0.07 seconds.

The Raiders also had a fifth place finish in the girls 200 medley relay featuring Stevens, Avery Jenkins, Megan Lane and Jules Ellington and a fourth place finish in the girls 200 freestyle relay that had Maggie

Caten join Ellington, Jenkins and Lane. The Mustangs of Mechanicsville had four individual swimmers place within the top-5, with junior Tyler Hill winning the 100 butterfly (51.96) for a region title in that event. Sophomore James Early also placed fifth in the 100 backstroke (56.40), sophomore MacKenzie Strohhacker finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.69) and fifth in the 500 freestyle (5:25.59) and junior Whitney Speeks took home fifth in the 50-yard freestyle (25.98).

Hill, Early, Strohacker and Caleb Zugay also finished third in the 200 medley relay for the Mustangs as well, finishing in 1:43.20. The girls 400 freestyle relay team, consisting of Olivia Minton, Caitlyn Robertson, Speeks and Strohacker, also placed fifth with a result of 3:56.97. The athletes that qualified for states will continue with their season at the Class 4 State Championships that will be held at SwimRVA on Feb. 18.

From 8 extension’s Master Gardeners. This session’s topic is “a Fresh Look at strawberries.” Topics change each session. book Club for Kids at the atlee branch Library, Monday, Feb. 20, 1 — 2 p.m. For ages 8-12. Join the atlee Kid’s book Club! We are reading “The Mystery at Jamestown: First Permanent english Colony in america” by Carole Marsh. registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/9743481. anansi’s storytime at the atlee branch Library, Monday, Feb. 20, 3 — 4 p.m. ages 3-8. Come dear children to hear tales of the cunning and crafty anansi. We will be making our own spider in honor of anansi! Located in the children’s Programing room on the second floor. atlee bridge Group at the atlee branch Library. Tuesday, Feb. 21 and 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ages 18 and up every Tuesday the atlee bridge Group meets to play social rubber bridge. all levels welcome, from beginner to expert.

Preschool s tor ytime at the a tlee branch Library, Mondays, Feb. 20 and 27, 10:30 — 11 a.m. enjoy a stor ytime of books, music, and fun for preschoolers 3-5 years old and their caregivers.

Mother Goose stor ytime at the atlee branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and book Heart Folding at the atlee branch Library, Thursday, Feb. 23. book Folding, or book Origami, is essentially the art of folding pages within books to create 3d shapes. In this book Folding session, we will create a simple heart design that does not include any cutting — only markings and folding! do you have an old or damaged hardcover book that you just don’t have the heart to throw away? Or maybe you have a book with a lot of sentimental value that deserves a display of its own? Whether an old book or new, this project has only 40 pages of folding to create a beautiful heart to display on any shelf!

28, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 18 and 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Mother Goose is a stor ytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler stor ytime at the atlee branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and 28, 11 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 11, 18 and 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22, 11 to 11:30 a.m. enjoy a storytime of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

MECHANICSVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-746-9615 or visit the library at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place for more information.

Preschool stor ytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Thursdays, Feb. 16 and 23, 10:30 — 11 a.m. enjoy books, music, fingerplays and much more at preschool stor ytime! For ages 3-5 with a caregiver. saturday Family storytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, Feb. 18, 11 — 11:30 a.m. enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more! Family stor ytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. reading Olympics review at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, Feb 18, 2 – 3 p.m. Gather, reading Olympic participants! We’re working as a team to discuss “escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” from this year’s reading Olympics list. Let’s go for reading gold together! For participants in Hanover County schools reading Olympics. The program will focus on discussion about the book as a group to prepare for the reading Olympics Challenge. Knowledge of the book or reading the book ahead of the program is strongly encouraged. Hula dancing Class at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Mondays, Feb. 20 and 27 10:30 a.m. – noon. ages 16 and up. exercise your body and brain as you learn about hula dancing and culture at the library. Wear clothing you can dance in easily! adult stor ytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Friday, Feb. 24, 10:45 — 11:45 a.m. ages 18 and up you’re never too old to listen to a good story. If you are, or are the caregiver of, an adult who would enjoy the lively reading of picture books and lighthearted stories, join us for adult stor ytime! submitted by Carolyn Garner, adult public ser vices coordinator.

Mechanicsville book Club at the Mechanicsville b ranch Library, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. – noon. ages 18 and up bring your ideas for discussion and escape to a world of pure imagination. a n ime Club at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Friday, Feb. 17, 4:30 — 5:30 p.m. ages 12-18. Join the Mechanicsville Library anime Club! Meet teens with similar interests and watch some cool shows.

Mother Goose stor ytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and 28, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Mother Goose is a stor ytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler/Preschool stor ytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and 28, 11 to 11:30 a.m. enjoy a stor ytime of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

Pokémon day at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. Celebrate the anniversary of Pokémon with a variety of fun activities, crafts, and a showing of Pokémon: The First Movie! all ages welcome!

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