Swim And Dive

The Swim team had an extremely successful regional meet on Feb. 8, bringing back eight new school records (five individual and three relay records), as well as additional state cuts. Holders of the new individual records include Hunter Strickland (200 IM and 100 Free), Maialen Sudupe (500 Free), Gus Jones (100 Breast), and Abby Harlow (100 Breast). Record-breaking relays included the following: the Girls’ 200 Medley with Sudupe, Harlow, Ally Lounsbury and Abby Fuller; the Girls’ 200 Free Relay with Sudupe, Emma DiFazio, Harlow and Fuller; and the Boy’ 200 Free Relay with Owen Strickland, Jack Kershner, Gus Jones, and Hunter Strickland.

New additions to the already impressive roster of names with events going to the State meet included Lounsbury in the 50 Free (25.83) and 100 Fly (1:03.47), Jones in the 100 Fly (57.11) and 100 Breast (1:04.39), Sudupe in the 100 Free (54.56), Strickland in the 100 Back (100.74), and DiFazio in the 100 Back (105.30). The team moved on to the States meet on Feb. 16 at the RVA center in Richmond.

Meanwhile, the dive team, with many new members, also holds a good standing when it comes to Regionals. Jason Dech and Lauren Davis finished up 3rd in their first regional meet, followed by Lauren Brophy with 5th and Kamden Shephard with 6th. All four divers headed to States on Feb. 14 in Richmond at Saint Catherine School. In the States Dive Meet, Dech came in 4th, Shephard came in 7th, Davis came in 6th, and Brophy came in 10th. “I’m really proud of my team and how far we’ve come. I’ve seen a lot of progress from them,” said sophomore Ellie Miles.

Indoor Track

The pole vaulters of the boys’ and girls’ indoor track team went to Heritage High School for their pole vault regional meet. The results were as follows: Ashley Pieno with 3rd, Amina Wilson with 1st, and  Ethan Yancey with 4th. “The season has been impressive to see many guys and gals make both Regionals and States,” said sophomore Aydon Duenas. The rest of the team travelled to Heritage High School on Feb. 16 for their Regional meet.

Speech

The forensics team is having another successful season with the entire team heading to the States competition, whether it be as a competitor or alternate. In the 3C Region competition, Fluvanna placed first overall with eight first placements. Individuals placing first in Regionals included Alex Pellicane in Extemp, Simon Skinner in Storytelling, Cameron Taylor in Dramatic Interpretation, Danielle Sumner in Original Oratory, Maddie Scopelettie in Poetry, Caroline Fields in Impromptu (first for the team), Jacob Shifflett and Justin Hamill in Humorous Duo, and Hollyn Pleasants and Trinity Haynes in Serious Duo. “We’re not really a team, we’re more of a family, and I think that’s why we do so well,” said Taylor. The Super Regionals competition is being held on March 2 in Waynesboro.

Meanwhile, on Feb. 16, Nika Ackenbom competed in the regional competition for Debate and came in 6th out of 11 students. She will move on to Super Regionals.

Wrestling

After the team’s regional competition, four Flucos headed to compete at the State competition on Feb. 15-16, including Ethan Vernatter with 3rd, Shawn Metcalf with 4th, and Mason Justus and Tyler Stoy going as alternates. Results of this competition were not available at time of press. “I’m really proud of the guys that came out and showed a lot of improvement. I’m going to miss it next year,” said senior Mason Justus.