Swim & Dive Opens Dual Meet Season with wins over PVI

The Cardinals bolted off the blocks to start the 2011-12 swim season with a wins by boys & girls over PVI Thursday.

Bishop Ireton’s boys and girls swim and dive teams opened the 2011-2012 campaign with big wins over a perennially strong Paul VI Thusday at St Albans pool, while the dive team squared off on Friday with the Panthers at Mt Vernon Rec Center to complete the event. The boys cruised to a 113-57 win while the girls distanced the Panthers with a 98-72 victory.

Cardinal double winners include Michael Ryan Clark in the 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter backstroke, freshman Ben Gorksi in the 200 and 500 freestyle, while Kevin Grant took the 100 meter freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Hayley Snell won both the 100 and 200 freestyle for the girls and senior Maddie Zeigler took both the 100 meter freestyle and 100 backstroke.

The relays fared well with the boys and girls 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relays recording state-qualifying times in the season’s first meet. Individual state qualifiers include Michael Ryan Clark, Ben Gorski, Kevin Grant, Kelly Palmer in the 200 meter intermediate medley amd 500 metere freestyle, Hayley Snell and Maddie Zeigler. Coach Gullickson pointed to the sweep of the relay events by the boys, 200 medley, 200/400 free style, as well as both boys and girls winning the gruelling 500 meter freestyle as an indicator that the Cardinals will be a team to be reckoned with in the season ahead.

Sophomore Alex Branham captured a first place in the girls diving event and captain Elizabeth Schaefermeier earned a third for the girls.

Bishop Ireton will return to action on Tuesday, November 29th at 4:30pm when the boys face Landon and the girls Holy Child School at Holton Arms Pool.