Goochland’s 2008-09 swim team is hoping a talented mix of seniors and under classmen will carry the squad to the next level as they dive into their upcoming schedule. Coach Dardi Ritchie said she is pleased with what she has seen so far, and her squad is maturing.

  “We have more swimmers this year who swim year round and that makes a huge difference,” she said. “I am really excited about this year, and especially the guys team,” Ritchie added.

  One of those year round swimmers is Joe Stratton. “I am expecting a lot out of junior Joe Stratton, who started swimming year round since last season, and has already competed in US Swimming meets and made qualifying times for states in a few events. He should make the finals (top 16 in the state) at states. I expect to see a lot from him in the 50 free, 100 fly, and possibly even the 100 breast,” Ritchie said.

  Other boys’ team members to keep an eye on are team captain senior Andrew Trongone in the 100 breast and 200 medley. Brendon Meng is also coming on strong in the 50 freestyle , 200 medley and 100 freestyle. Kevin Eliason should be steady in the 400 and 500 freestyle and 200 medley.

  Stratton, Trongone, Meng and Eliason will make up the team’s boys relay team.

  Girls’ team senior captain Hannah White returns to anchor a team that graduated its top swimmer from last year, but it looking for experience to carry them. White will swim the 100 freestyle while sophomores Anna Jones and Samantha Williams should provide added spark. “Anna will be strong in the 100 fly and 200 IM, while Samantha, who just missed states last year by one second, should do well in the 100 backstroke,” Ritchie said.

  Ritchie said it has been a pleasant experience watching the team progress and mature. “I am so proud of how far the team has come since I have been here. I have seen them improve so much,” Ritchie said. “ While the girls team is not as strong as the guys, they all have improved their times tremendously.  They all try their hardest at every practice and it really shows in the meets,” Ritchie said.

  She has also kept her team focused when competing against bigger and more experienced squads. “While most of the schools we swim have almost 100 percent of their swimmers swim year round on the state or even national level, it can be very frustrating to go up against that type of competition, but I have taught them that the only thing I want them to worry about is the clock,” the coach said.

  Ritchie said the addition of an assistant coach made her job easier and improved the team’s limited practice sessions. “Due to the growth of the program over the past two years, I have an assistant coach, Grace Turner,” Ritchie said. “This is a great help as we are able to really break them into groups and focus and really working more stroke technique.  The biggest goal that Coach Turner and I have for the kids is for them all to improve their times, and to get them to start swimming other events that they might not be used to,” she added.

  In her second year as coach, Ritchie has witnessed an explosion in team participation and competition levels, and she wants that trend to continue.

  “I really am hoping to see the program at GHS to continue to grow,” she said. “ They have come so far in the couple of years that I have been here and I want people to know that the program is here and that they are doing an incredible job!”