Richmond Reverses: Board Rep Swapped

Kim Bridges replaced by Vice-Chair Kim Gray

by Danny Yates, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

On January 16, the Jabberwock reported that the Richmond School Board had appointed Ms. Kim Bridges as the city’s representative to the MLWGS Regional Board. At the time, this report was accurate.

Ms. Bridges even attended the January 15 Regional Board meeting, yet it now appears that Richmond School Board Chair Ms. Chandra Smith has appointed a different board member, Ms. Kim Gray, for MLWGS.

Ms. Gray, who represents Richmond’s Second District (the geographic area that encompasses the MLWGS building), says she is “excited about serving on this board.”

“The reason I requested this membership is because Maggie Walker is in my district,” said Ms. Gray. “I definitely want to work on building stronger interaction between the area and the school, which is a centerpiece of the community.”

At next Thursday’s meeting, Ms. Gray will make her second visit to MLWGS. She also attended the January 15 meeting, but Ms. Gray was not an official board member at the time.

“And as I’ve said before, I am a strong supporter of Governor’s Schools,” said Ms. Gray.

Kim Gray is now the permanent Regional Board member from Richmond

New Director TBA Next Week

by Danny Yates, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

In less than one week, MLWGS’ new director will be selected by members of the Regional Board.

At 11:30 on February 12, members of the Director’s Search Committee will present their findings to the full Regional Board.

“This has not been an easy process, but we’ve tried to be thorough. Our goal is to bring a strong candidate for approval,” said Mr. John Axselle, Hanover County representative and chairman of the Director Search Committee.

After months of advertising and interviewing, the committee has concluded the search process and is now planning to bring one candidate for review and approval by the Regional Board.

“We had approximately thirty applicants. They’re from Virginia, outside the state, and even outside the continental U.S,” said Mr. Axselle. “We are really pleased with the quality of candidates.”

During next Thursday’s meeting, board members will most likely deal with normal business before proceeding to closed session, during which time the new director will be formally nominated.

Upon returning from the closed session, the Regional Board will publicly announce its decision to members of the press and community.

Later that day, according to the online MLWGS calendar, a faculty meeting will be held in the forum at 3:30. MLWGS administrators said that the new director would be presented to the faculty at this time.

Although February’s Regional Board meeting was originally scheduled for 9 am on February 19, the date and time were changed to accommodate the schedules of Henrico County Superintendent Mr. Fred Morton and Henrico County School Board member Ms. Lisa Marshall, both of whom will be attending a budget work-session that morning.

Editor's Note

Thursday February 12 will be a big news day for MLWGS! But what if you’re unable to attend the 11:30 Regional Board meeting? Don’t worry. Just be sure to pick up a special issue of the Jabberwock on Friday morning, February 13, as soon as you arrive at school. A team of Jabberwock reporters and photographers will be present at the various meetings throughout the day, in order to keep you informed.

Then, Thursday afternoon we’ll put together a special issue – chock-full of scoop on the next Mr. Hunt. We’ll even try to schedule an exclusive interview with the new director as soon as he/she is selected. And, since this is an ongoing story, we promise to pursue it with a passion for weeks to come. Be sure to check out our website: www.mlwgs.blogspot.com for the latest on the director search and more.

Once the announcement is made, we’ll try to answer all your questions about the new director. Please e-mail us at mlwgs.jabberwock@gmail.com or at our school e-mail: newspaper@gsgis.k12.va.us with any suggestions.

Quote of the Week

“The good news is that there’s been great interest, the bad news is that it took a lot of time and work on our part,” said Mr. John Axselle, chairman of MLWGS Director Search Committee, in reference to his committee’s work in sorting through nearly 30 applications.

Director Discussion

Mr. Doug Hunt won’t be sitting at his usual table in the cafeteria during lunchtime next Thursday. Instead, Mr. Hunt’s lunch location is the second floor board room and his guest list includes twenty-two members of the Regional School Board.

The MLWGS Director Search is now complete. The Jabberwock has received confirmation from three sources that Mr. Hunt’s replacement has already been chosen. All that remains now is for the members of the Regional Board to rubber stamp the new director’s contract during the February 12 meeting.

For the past few days, the school has been abuzz with rumors and speculation as to who will be the next MLWGS director. Some teachers are even reportedly organizing a sort of point spread for the different possible candidates.

But thinking back to the recent words of search committee members, we can rest assured. For several months now, Mr. John Axselle and Ms. Diane Pettit have worked diligently to screen some 30 applicants for the post. Mr. Axselle’s description of an applicant pool rich in diversity and geography is very reassuring.

And furthermore, unlike most principal search committees, this one has advertised not only locally and statewide – they’ve even sent applications abroad. Such a thorough and extensive search could only have resulted in the choice of a highly qualified candidate with an extensive background in gifted education coupled with strong experience in administration. A director like this would bring an international perspective to our school, and we look forward to his or her appointment next week.

Richmond Rep

Richmond seems to have been a bit confused in its appointment process for a representative for the MLWGS Regional Board. While Kim Bridges was a great interim representative, we can be confident that Kim Gray will be an equally qualified and capable candidate. A strong community figure and a supporter of Governor’s Schools, Ms. Gray has our best interests at hand.

Budget Buzz

The Chesterfield County School Board is taking a lot of flack for its recent announcement to cut teachers and increase class sizes. We all know that times are tough, but thankfully the MLWGS budget isn’t shaping up to be as bad as once thought. Next year will be tough – no new textbooks, fewer field trips, reduced “activity” funds – but it looks like we will manage without the drastic cuts some other schools are facing.

A special kudos to FOVGS and all their lobbying efforts last week. According to one legislator, the funding for Virginia’s Governor’s Schools “will probably make it out alive.” And who knows, maybe Obama’s $825 billion stimulus package might result in some extra education funding for Virginia!

A Conversation With MLWGS' Own Mr. Irvin Charles*

Maggie Walker Alumnus and MLWGS Head of Security shares his thoughts.

How was testing on Saturday?

We had Henrico and Chesterfield students last weekend and this Saturday is Richmond and all the others for new student testing. As far as on the security end, we had no major issues. The parking was a bit tight, but we worked it out.

Girl’s basketball is wrapping up?

Yes; when you’ve had a season with no major incidents and when the kids have had a good time, that’s all I can ask for. I think that they can come a long way with some summer practice and next year I am hoping they return even better.

Anything about the diversity study?

I am just going to say that I am eager to see what they come up with in this study. As you know, I have my own opinion about this.

I’m sure there is something that you want to say about the director search…

Let me tell you, I am still working on Mr. Hunt to stay for another three years. I am even suggesting a $5 cut in my salary to keep him here. He’s been just great for the school. If he was an administrator anywhere else, I wouldn’t hesitate to work for him.

Any security issues?

Yes, I want to remind parents that their cars are not allowed in the bus lot between 8:15 and 8:45 in the morning and 3:00 and 3:30 in the afternoon.

*Q&A with Danny Yates on February 2, 2009.

TV Not a Government Responsibility

By Logan Ferrell ('11)

These days, it is hard to turn on the TV or open the paper without hearing or reading more bad news. More people have lost their jobs, another business has imploded, and Gaza has seen another round of bombing .

In times like these, where it is easy to believe that the world we were accustomed to is crumbling around us, it is comforting that our government has maintained clear objectives and prioritized the issue most important to the American people: television.

Cynicism aside, it is true that the United States House of Representatives spent this past Wednesday debating not the economy or national defense, but rather which date would be best for the switch to digital television. I had no idea that this was such a contentious and crucial issue. However, for an issue that has now been the subject of debate in both houses and statements by the new president himself, it must be.

The switch from analog to digital television originally planned for this February has now been postponed to mid-June of this year because not enough people have had time to “prepare.” To prepare, people are expected either to purchase a new television or a converter for the one they already have. While people have rediscovered the importance of saving and frugality, they are encouraged to run out and buy an entirely unnecessary leisure activity. The converters may be purchased using a coupon provided by the federal government for that purpose alone; that’s right, the government is spending money so that every citizen may improve the quality of their television experience.

People are forced to assume that the move is to improve their viewing, as the only concrete advantage accorded to the transition is better picture quality. So far, the government has provided no true explanation for the necessity of the transition, or how it will improve the lives of Americans at all. It seems that such a program, whose benefits have still not been made clear, is no different than if the federal government were to decree that by August, everyone must throw away their CDs and purchase an iPod. It is a program which lends government sponsorship to the very device that dominates entertainment and discourages activities like reading or sports.

I am as guilty as anybody else in enjoying television, but I cannot see how it is either the responsibility or purview of the national legislature to spend time debating television when the nation faces so many more serious problems. Despite my earlier cynicism, I retain hope in an idealistic government focused on the needs of the nation.

That being said, I only hope that this debate is a fleeting one and not a distraction from the problems at hand. This absurd debate over digital television may indeed be a symbol of both the nation and the roots of the current crisis: we have lost sight of what truly matters.

Recent Editorial Ignores Board's Effort

Dear Editor,

An editorial printed in the January 16, 2009 edition of Jabberwock speaks to two important issues facing MLWGS. The second of those issues is the one I would like to address.

The writer states. “MLWGS leadership have dragged with the director’s search. Until yesterday, very few details were shared about the hunt for Mr. Hunt’s replacement. Even the information given at Thursday’s meeting was ambiguous.”

Early last fall, the school board/leadership designed a time-line of activities for director recruitment which they shared with all.

They are working exactly to that time-line and are not dragging. I ask you to recall the open town hall held October 27, followed by an online survey asking for constituent input.

Upon review of that information and the data collected, an announcement for this position was created and posted locally, nationally and I’m told, globally. The announcement contained a specific closing date of January 5 to apply. The school board shared the number of applicants received as of the closing and that is all they can share. Names are never made public to protect the confidentiality of the applicant.

The school board committee has now had the opportunity to review the applications and have selected a pool for interview. As the board originally stated when this began, they intend to have the candidate selected by late March/early April. This timeline is consistent with most positions in education due to contractual obligations.

The writer also states, “Without substantial community involvement, consequences of the director’s search may be disastrous.” As a community, we have had the opportunity for involvement and now it is time for the professionals working on this matter on our behalf, to proceed. After all, this is essentially the same group that brought us Mr. Hunt last time.

- Ms. Barbara Marshall

Editor’s Note: The Jabberwock appreciates all letters to the editor. We respect Mrs. Marshall’s opinion and we look forward to Regional Board’s announcement on February 12.

Too Much Pressure on MLWGS Students

Dear Editor,

Every year, the administration and some students wait for Newsweek's “Top High Schools” list to come out with baited breath. Not one to disappoint, Maggie Walker tends to deliver, making it onto the list of “20 Elites” almost every year.

Along with this prestigious recognition, Maggie Walker is gifted with a framed blow-up of the list with the name of our school highlighted so all can recognize the triumph as they bolt past. What does this award really mean? Plain and simply, that Maggie Walker students are some of the smartest students out there, all thanks to our beloved school. Then why is it that so many of us seem to be unhappy? I mean, look at our PSAT scores! Rather than base their list off of values and scores that essentially mean nothing to the common student, Newsweek should really rank high schools according to student happiness and stress level.

It's not a stretch to say that Maggie Walker would fall in the bottom 20. Obviously, exams are a common time for these emotions to come to the forefront. The sign outside says, “Testing Times are Here. Study Hard,” yet hidden beneath that clever play on words is a grave insult.

What exactly do they (read: administration) think we're doing when we aren't in “testing times?” Are we out seeing a new movie or hanging out with friends? Doubtful. In fact, many of us are locked up in our rooms, tackling the multiple hours of homework that we are bound to have.

Our school loves to praise its abundant “freedoms.” Things like eating lunch anywhere we want or simply signing out to use the restrooms. Yet, that lack of freedom is exactly the problem with our school. We are trapped, constantly chained to school. We carry school with us, just as we carry our 20 pound backpacks on our shoulders. Maggie Walker is robbing us of our real freedom. Many of us no longer have free time, no longer have time for friends, for family, and even, for ourselves.

Next time Maggie Walker appears on the “20 Elite High Schools” list, don't look at it as a triumph, but as a tragedy. Let that ostentatious framed poster be a reminder of all of the wasted hours spent on arbitrary busy work and over demanding tests that could have been used to enjoy life as an actual teenager. Let it remind you that you are a prisoner, and it's not the school doors that contain you.

A new semester. A great time to start fresh. A great time to realize that there's more to life than school. If this semester is the one that manages to keep us off of the “20 Elites” list, then I can guarantee that it will be a semester to remember.

- Nate Morawetz (’10)

Editor’s Note: The Jabberwock would like to remind readers that opinions expressed in letters are solely those of the letter writer. Furthermore, publication of a letter does not represent any sort of endorsement by members of the Jabberwock staff.

Students Ask State for Continued Funding

by Charles Condro, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

With the hard economic times that have befallen the country, the Virginia Governor’s Schools are facing possible budget cuts. In order to ensure that the importance of the Governor’s Schools is fresh in the minds of the Virginia State legislators when they are forming the budget, the Friends of Virginia Governor’s Schools (FOVGS) held its annual lobbying day at the Capitol on Thursday, January 29.

FOVGS is a group of parents and other members of the Governor’s school family who work to gain support for all 18 of Virginia’s Governor’s Schools.

As part of their year-round work for the Governor’s Schools, FOVGS organized a day in which students from the 18 Governor’s schools across Virginia go to the Capitol to lobby for funding. While circumstances such as conflicting schedules and heavy snowfall in western parts of the state prevented all of the schools from attending, more than a dozen of the Governor’s schools had representatives at the Capitol.

“I think that more of the schools were represented than in any other year,” said Ms. Pat Taylor, Coordinator of Curriculum.

“Several schools could not come because they had snow and had to push back their exams,” said Mr. Doug Hunt, MLWGS Director. “But it was still good.”

The representatives of the academic-year Governor’s schools arrived at MLWGS by 9:15 am and gathered in the auditorium for a brief meeting before shuttling off in buses to the Capitol.

Ms. Sarah Hillgrove, president of FOVGS, spoke to give an overview of what the day was about and explained what the students should be lobbying for. She explained that while the school will most likely receive budget cuts from the state and from localities, the students needed to lobby for the legislators to not cut the incentive funds. Incentive funds are money that is allocated by the state for gifted education.

“We are expecting to get cuts,” said Ms. Hillgrove. “[The incentive funds] that’s where we hope they don’t cut us because then that way we would get hit three times.”

After the different schools introduced their representatives, Mr. Hunt got up and gave them some advice.

“Be positive with the people you talk to,” said Mr. Hunt. He also pointed out that the Governor’s Schools have a supporter at the Capitol.

“We are fortunate to have a Governor who understands the Governor’s Schools,” said Mr. Hunt.

When the meeting was over, the representatives headed off to the Capitol. While members of each school set up a table with information about their specific Governor’s School, other students, teachers, and members of FOVGS went to the nearby legislative offices in the Patrick Henry Building. They went around in groups to the different offices to inform the legislators about the needs of the Governor’s schools.

While many of the legislators were in session and could not talk directly to the Governor’s School representatives, the representatives met with their legislative assistants.

“Mr. Houck’s secretary in particular was very… helpful,” said Blake Powers (’10). “But they [the secretaries and legislative assistants] all listened closely to what we had to say.”

When the students met with the legislators and their aides, they thanked the legislator for their support and summarized how MLWGS will be affected by the budget cuts.

“We receive funding from three sources as opposed to the two sources that normal public schools have,” said Kyle Herman (’10). “We understand that we are going to get cut, but we wish to keep our incentive funds to help maintain essential functions.”

While FOVGS took a break for lunch, 25 members of the group sat in on a session of the House of Burgesses. Del. Lacey Putney of Beford County introduced FOVGS, but MLWGS was also recognized exclusively on the floor by Del. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond City. Other members of the House were also supportive of keeping education from being hit too hard by budget cuts.

“It is incumbent on us to put as many tools in their [the schools’ and the students’] toolboxes,” said Del. Kirkland Cox of Colonial Heights.

While the representatives of FOVGS did all they could to lobby for the Governor’s Schools and the legislators were sympathetic to their cause, the outlook for Governor’s Schools in the budget is still unclear.

“Everybody needs to just cross their fingers,” said Ms. Gail Henderson, Sen. L. Louise Lucas’ legislative assistant.

Falling In Line: Jazz Seminar

by Virginia Cross, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

On stage at Richmond venue The Camel, the 12 members of The Fall Line looked into a crowd of 200 people and readied themselves to play. The Fall Line, MLWGS’ jazz band senior seminar opened for local brass band NOBS! on Friday, January 30, after a great deal of preparation.

“We wrote five songs in a month, practiced on weekends, during exams, and on days off,” said guitar player Connor Farrell (’09). “It was a great experience to open for a bunch of very, very experienced musicians like NOBS!”

Taylor Barnett, the former MLWGS jazz teacher, is a current member of NOBS!, and he set up the Fall Line to open for his band at the Camel.

The idea for a band as a senior seminar came when a few students were surprised there was no music seminar offered.

“I thought it would be something people would be interested in, so I submitted a proposal after talking with Taylor Barnett,” said Peter Askin (’09).

“He helped make my idea more concrete with sweet ideas about composing, recording, and the music industry.”

In a typical day in the jazz seminar, the class discusses event planning and the logistics of managing the band. Then, the class splits into smaller groups to introduce individual ideas for music and collaborate on songs for the band.

Bringing together the musical talents of 12 people to create a cohesive piece of music can be difficult for the band, but members say that this also lends to what makes The Fall Line unique.

“By far, our strength is the variety of our music,” said Askin. “Everybody brings in ideas with their own tastes, and we thus get a repertoire with jazz, Latin, swing, rock, funk, fusion, and reggae songs.”

When the band writes music, sometimes one member will come up with an original composition that he or she adapts to the rest of the group, while other times, the entire group shares in the composition process.

“It can be difficult—think about a guitarist trying to write a horn line—but we work together to bring the music to the whole group,” said Farrell.

Askin and his mom were discussing band names before the seminar began, and Askin said he wanted the name to represent something about Richmond. His mom suggested “The Fall Line,” since Richmond is built along the geographic fall line.

“Everyone in the seminar seemed to like [the name], and it stuck,” said Askin. “My mom originally told me not to tell anyone she came up with the idea for fear it would be labeled as ‘lame’.”

The Fall Line played their first public concert at MLWGS’ Fall Festival in October, and they have recently been booking an increasing number of gigs. The band played a lunchtime show in the student commons in December, and in January, they performed on-air on the The Elder Young Show, a local radio broadcast.

“We’re eventually hoping to sponsor our own gig—maybe get a few other bands, maybe play at a club,” said Ferrell. “But that’s what we’re looking at now—to do our own thing.

Next year, the jazz seminar will again be offered, and those taking it are looking forward to exploring new instruments and styles of music. To allow students to pursue their own direction in music, the focus of the seminar will shift to smaller collaborations in the seminar.

“I’m excited about getting the chance to write, play, and record music next year,” said Brennan Dolson (10’), who is planning to take the seminar next fall.

One in a Million

By Gabriella Cifu
Jabberwock Staff Reporter

It was a game-show like now other. For one boy every moment in his life had literally led him to this point.

Slumdog Millionare depicts the life of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), a teenager growing up in poverty in Mumbai, India. He becomes a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in the hopes that Latika (Freida Pinto), his best friend and sweetheart, will find him. When he is only one question away from one million dollars, Jamal is arrested for cheating, as no one believes a “slumdog” could know so much.

Through flashbacks of his life, Jamal explains how he knew each of the answers on the game show. The movie follows Jamal, his older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), and Latika through their difficult lives. Living in poverty, a corrupt orphanage and then on their own, they struggle to survive and stay together, despite all odds.

Everything from the actors to the storyline was perfect. It’s no wonder that Millionaire has been nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture Oscar.

The main characters (Jamal, Salim and Latika) were portrayed at three different ages throughout the film. Rather than hire professional actors to play the friends in their younger years, director Danny Boyle instead opted to employ children living in the very slums in Mumbai shown in the film.

The children, who speak Hindi, were fabulous in their roles and added a level of realism to the movie which could not have been achieved otherwise. This is not to undermine the superior acting of Patel, Pinto and Mittal, who all were able to bring their characters full circle and continue to charm viewers, just as their younger counterparts had done.

With a perfect blend of tragedy and romance, as well as fact and fiction, Millionaire had it all. It was beautifully filmed and was not overdone with unrealistic special effects. Every flashback was hard-hitting and memorable, and was complimented well with scenes of the present game show and interrogations.

The ingenuity behind each of the flashbacks was astounding and not only made connections to Jamal’s success on the game show, but also subtly introduced viewers to many of the unforeseen horrors that befall poverty-stricken individuals, often children, living in India.

The movie was not well known nor advertised before the Golden Globes, where it won Best Picture. Since then, the movie has gained enormous popularity in the U.S. and abroad.

Although Millionaire has an R rating, it truly is borderline PG-13. Though there is some violence in the film, it is necessary to accurately portray the hardships faced by Jamal, and is not excessively graphic, nor unexpected.

There was another aspect of this film that is worth going to the movies to experience: the music. Despite the serious theme of the movie, the directors were able to incorporate a Bollywood type music theme into the movie.

With a mix of traditional sounding Indian music and more contemporary artists such as M.I.A. the soundtrack fit perfectly with the film. Each song on its own has catchy lyrics and beat, and when put into the movie, each genuinely captures the essence of the scene it was in.

The movie incorporated the recent hit Paper Planes by M.I.A. While before, this song seemed catchy, but had little meaning, its use in the movie captured the spirit of working hard to make a living.

One of the theme songs of the movie, Jai Ho, which nominated for an Oscar, combined a sentimental, soulful tune with a more upbeat rhythm and lyrics making for a great song in the film, and an even greater single. Millionaire in general has one of the greatest soundtracks, which is well worth listening to, even if you don’t see the movie.

Despite its grim portrayal of life, Slumdog Millionaire is one of the most exciting, emotional, and heartwarming films of the year. With its Bollywood twist, it combines all the elements that individually make a great film. The result: one of the greatest films not only of this year, but of the decade.



Jamal continues to stun viewers with his knowledge. Photo courtesy of http://hardpop.files.wordpress.com/

Dragons Slay Vikings

By: Charles Condro, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

For anyone who came into the boy’s varsity basketball game at Thomas Jefferson five minutes late, there must have been some confusion. As they looked up at the scoreboard, they would have read: Guests: 15, Home: 0.

Once the observer had overcome their shock and settled down to watch the game, however, they would have realized that this was no mistake; the MLWGS basketball team was wiping the floor with their opponents. Running on all cylinders, the team was playing at the level that they have often alluded to but never quite reached.

In a season that has been pockmarked with shots that rattle out and things that almost were, the TJ game was filled instead with highlight reel plays.

At the center of this green machine juggernaut was guard and Co-captain Paul Eiker (’09). His play set the tone, and just when it seemed he had set the bar too high, he took it to another level.

“I was really feeling it,” said Eiker. “The ball was dropping for me. My teammates found me when I was open and I was able to convert.”

Using a variety of drives and pull-up jumpers, Eiker was poured in a career high 34 points. A feat that ranks second in the MLWGS record books for points scored in a single game.

Eiker dominated the game to such an extent that the announcer for TJ said “Another basket for Paul Eiker… He is unstoppable!”

While Eiker’s display was what drew everyone’s attention, the rest of the team was also playing excellent basketball. Co-captain Parker Kirwan (’10) and Dan Law (’11) each had ten points, and the threat that they posed offensively was crucial to Eiker’s ability to pick apart the TJ defense.

“Paul could drive through their defense at will,” said Kirwan.

For TJ, there was no rest for the weary when they took up offense, as the Dragon’s defense was unrelenting and their press gave the Vikings fits as they tried to move the ball up the court.

“We just anticipated well,” said Kirwan. “We took advantage of their mistakes.”

This victory, the team’s first district win in two years, also presents the Dragons with a chance to make the Colonial District tournament.

“It will be the first time since I have been on varsity that we have made the District tournament,” said Eiker. “I won’t make any promises, but look out for an upset.”

The MLWGS boys varsity basketball team warms up before their game against J.R. Tucker High School on Thursday, January 29. Photo by Molly Dawson (’11).

Just Keep Swimming

We should have known the MLWGS boys’ swimming team would have a killer season when they beat Collegiate by seven points earlier this season, a miniscule amount in the sport.

“It’s like the difference between first and second place in a relay,” Will Weber (’09) said.

At the Kecoughtan Invitational on January 10, the boys’ team placed first having 56 points more points than the second place team, Lafayette. Seven school records were broken including one that was set fourteen years ago.

“We had already had two swim meets that week. [The team] was tired but went down and did really good, fast swims in the preliminaries,” said Coach Robb Sultzer. “It was pretty special – out two captains, Sam Rairden and JH Vivadelli, really set the tone coming back in to finals that evening. They just got the team motivated with their swims.”

Rairden (’09) won first place and set a new meet record in the 100 Back with a time of 51.73 seconds. He also tied for first in the 100 Fly with a time of 50.91 seconds. Vivadelli won the 500 Free with a time of 4:44:52.

Kecoughtan also accomplished something never before seen in our swimming program –Hunter Knight (’10) and Rairden had All-American times in their swims.

“The difference between last year and this year was that we brought back all our swimmers, except for Johnnie Hermes, and most everyone got better,” Weber said.

Regionals are this weekend, and the boys’ team expects to repeat as champs.