Athletes of the Meet - Oakton

Madison continued its impressive season of personal growth and improvement this Friday against Oakton. The team set 15 new personal-best times in individual events tonight, which is nearly 25% of all swims! These results prove once again that hard work pays off with improved performances. It also bodes well as we head into January and championship season.

Special congratulations go out to Anabel Huffstutler and Kevin Rice on being named athletes of the meet for their performances against Oakton. 

Anabel did a tremendous job tonight in both the 500 free and 100 breast. Her time in the 500 was only a few seconds off her best-ever time. Considering that Anabel negative-split the last half of her race it is reasonable to expect that she will be setting new standards for herself in the near future! Her race in the 100 breast was also exciting to watch. Anabel has a great mental approach to her races and she provides valuable leadership for the younger swimmers on the team.

Kevin is another quiet leader who's competitive nature makes him a role model for other members of the team. Kevin won both the 200 IM and 100 breast tonight. He also did a fantastic job in the 200 medley and 400 free relays, posting strong splits in both events. Kevin's hard work in practice and focused approach to races make him a successful athlete and provide an example for others to look toward.

There were several other athletes that were worthy of honorable mention, including:

• Becca Berg - Becca continued her success from last weekend, setting a new personal-best in the 100 breast. She also had a strong split in the 200 medley relay. She may only be a freshman, but Becca is quickly establishing herself as one of our best breaststrokers on the team.
• Hannah Carmen - Hannah provides invaluable leadership both in and out of the pool. She works tirelessly to make the team better and is willing to do whatever is best for the team. This weekend was no different. She volunteered to swim the 100 back rather than one of her signature events in order to help maximize the team's potential score. Her strategy paid off when she won both of her events!
• Vera Korff - Vera set a personal-best in the 50 free on her way to tying for first in the event. She was also an important contributor on the first-place 200 free relay. Vera maintains a positive attitude and remains committed to improving each day at practice.
• Bibi Ventura - Bibi continued her strong season for Madison with a personal-best time in the 50 free. Bibi is new to the team but is already establishing herself as a beloved member of the team, and an important part of our success.
• Alex Roman - Alex also gave everything he had on behalf of the team. When a teammate was unable to compete in the 100 fly, Alex stepped in with only a few moments' notice. He took the change in plans in stride and gave all he had in the event. His willingness to do what it takes for the team exemplifies the kind of leader Alex is and why we are fortunate to have him.
• Aaron Diehl - Aaron had one of his best-ever nights in the 50 free against Oakton. He set a personal-best time in the 50 free and then followed it up with an even faster time in his leg of the 200 free relay. Aaron continues to look for ways to improve his time and is working hard in practice each day. His efforts are paying off in the pool over the past few weeks.
• Michael Reed - Michael set two personal-best times tonight. He dropped a second in the 100 breast and 2 seconds in the 100 fly. His time in the fly was especially exciting since it was the first time he broke the one-minute barrier in the event. Michael was tantalizingly close to breaking the one-minute barrier last week. After his success tonight, Michael can now safely remove the minute hand from every clock in his house. He doesn't need it anymore!
• Robert Eachus - Robert is another athlete who dropped time in both of his individual events. He set new personal-best times in the 200 IM and 500 free tonight. While Robert is small in stature he is big in heart, demonstrating a fighting spirit in each of his events. He has a very bright future on this team indeed!
• Megan Mikell - Megan had strong performances in both the 100 back and 100 fly again tonight. She followed up by giving us everything she had in the 400 free relay. Her hard work and efforts certainly sent a message to her team about what it means to give your all. Megan is enjoying a strong freshman year and will be a key contributor to our success over the next several years.
• Owen Dyson - Owen continues to have a spectacular senior season. He established new benchmarks for himself in the 50 and 100 free again tonight. He continues to drop time each week as he establishes himself as one of the premier sprinters in the state. Owen also continues to provide the kind of steady leadership you would expect from a team captain.