COLLEGE PARK — In the first year of Northern’s and Southern’s swimming programs, the two schools combined to send six athletes to the Maryland state championship meet.
The meet was held last Saturday at the University of Maryland’s Eppley Recreation Center.
Northern sent five student-athletes while Southern had one.
Rowan Rikhye of the Huskies was one of three freshman boys to podium in the Class 3A/2A/1A meet.
He placed eighth in the 200-yard freestyle, timing 1:51 flat, and was 10th in the 100 freestyle at 51:44.
Rikhye was the only freshman in the top 10 of the 100 freestyle.
“Rowan delivered a truly remarkable performance this season,” Northern assistant coach Somi Rikhye said. “What makes this even more extraordinary is that he accomplished all of it while battling illness throughout the week. His toughness, talent, and drive set the tone for what we believe will be an incredible future.”
Freshman Lilah Rikhye finished 18th in the girls’ 200 individual medley, finishing in 2:29:97.
“Lilah also had an outstanding season and proved herself as one of the top emerging swimmers in the state,” coach Rikhye said. “Competing in the 200 medley, she achieved a personal best and finished 18th in the state as a freshman, an incredible accomplishment. Her work ethic and discipline have been exceptional all year.”
Kirstin Ellis, Mary Thrush, Lula Faulkner and Lilah Rikhye combined for the 200 freestyle relay, placing 22nd with a time of 2:01:52.
It was a season-best time by 3:07 seconds.
“Our freshman relay group showed something truly special this year,” coach Rikhye said. “The four swimmers consistently improved with every race, working together and growing as a unit. Their chemistry, commitment, and steady progress point to enormous potential in the years ahead.”
Northern was the recipient of the Doug Southerland Sportsmanship Award, given to the team that shows the best overall sportsmanship during the state title meet.
“We are also incredibly honored to have received the Sportsmanship Award,” coach Rikhye said. “In our first year, Northern Garrett High School made a splash at the state level and proudly represented Western Maryland. We felt welcomed and respected at both regional and state meets, and that meant a great deal to our team.”
Southern’s Kathryn Sweitzer qualified in two events.
Sweitzer placed 19th in the 500-yard freestyle, timing 6:03:26 and 22nd in the 100 backstroke at 1:11:87.
“Kathryn is Southern’s first swimmer to compete at the State Meet,” Southern head coach Alison Sweitzer said. “It is exciting to see her pride at being able to represent her school at this level. Swimming is a sport rooted in consistency. She trains day in and day out, often when no one is watching. The enthusiasm from her fellow teammates and support from the Southern community as a whole was wonderful.”
Northern had seven swimmers on the roster this season, while Southern had four.
Competing at states against schools with up to 1,200 students, both programs feel optimistic about the future.
“This first season was a success in so many ways,” coach Sweitzer said. “Southern had four swimmers who excelled, improved, and represented the Rams in a special way,”
“Records were made, and we had critical support from our fellow Northern team. Members of the Indoor Track team and our very own Student Member of the Board volunteered to work our home meet. This program will grow and enrich so many Garrett County students.”