Northwood's girls collective impact sent a powerful message winning 9 of 14 events on the day, and earned a 1-0 start to their regular season.  Photos courtesy of Mitch Mallough.  

It's early in the swim season, but the Northwood Timberwolves already look like they're in mid-season form.  In a premier rival match-up, Northwood's girls took charge early in the meet against University and never let up, cruising to a decisive victory at the University High School Aquatic Center on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

And the rivalry is even fierier when it's held at University, as the competitiveness between these two high schools historically always produces exciting racing.

Northwood's girls collective impact sent a powerful message winning 9 of 14 events on the day, and earned a 1-0 start to their regular season.  The momentum throughout the meet was full of high-quality and high-intensity races delivering an impressive showing.  The Lady T-Wolves found their way all afternoon in the winning column, which culminated in swimming away with a 95-75 victory.  While Northwood's standout seniors lived up to the expectation, it was the freshman class that punctuated some title wins as well.

Northwood's boys fell short of their win 71-99, however still put up some contending times in several close title races.  Relay titles were challenging throughout the afternoon thus keeping a widen points spread, however, with the Timberwolves going second and third repetitively either team had the outright chance to win. 

“It was impressive for us to come to University, which has a very strong team that performs well at home, and come out with a win for the girls," said Head Coach Alex Nieto.  "This was a good barometer for us, and a harbinger of good things to come."

The University Trojans will likely be Northwood's most formidable opponent in regular season, as this meet provides a little better gauge for the battles in the weeks ahead.

200 FREE

Northwood's Open Girls got the meet started with a win with Mia Tomovic Savinov touching in 2:28.18. Junior Lauren Thorpe finished behind for second with 2:34.25.  University's Niloofar Khosravi pulled in for third (2:52.84).  Timberwolves Kendrick Pham (2:02.20), Bob Li (2:11.98) and Nolan Kim (2:16.21) produced a triple win for the Open Boys.  The JV Girls was a tight race throughout, with Kaitlyn Kong taking the victory in 2:14.91, and teammate Charlotte Waddel putting up a strong swim for third in (2:24.35). University's Ysabel Nakasone was second (2:15.04).  In the JV Boys event, Kevin Hong powered in for second (1:55.75), while Alex Overbaugh touched third in 1:57.80.  University's Cyrus Mirsafian took the top time in 1:54.98.  Northwood's Varsity Girls Malak Hassouna surged to second in the field with a 2:06.92 on a personal best.  University's Alexandra Lindenberg (2:01.51) won the event in 2:01.51, while Ira Chaturvedi rounded third (2:11.15).  Varsity junior Felix Zhu took the top spot with a fast 200 Free to win a 1:46.23 punch to the wall over University's Hunter Kroll (1:46.69). Touching just behind them in 1:46.83 was University's Caedon Ng rounding third.

100 IM

Open Girls freshman Sophia Smith jumped out to an early lead and never relented at the 50 turn (35.68), then touched for the win in 1:17.71.  Kylie Kenyon checked in for second with 1:18.72, while University's Mohan Xu sits third in 1:21.09.  Timberwolves junior Orlando Olague came through for the Open Boys for third in the 100 IM (1:04.91).  University went 1-2 with Tucker Blum (1:04.16) and Michael Wu (1:04.66).

200 IM

Northwood's JV Girls Brynna Hsia earned second in the 200 IM with 2:41.60.  Sarah Hsu raced for third (2:47.02), while University's Angela Yan took the title in 2:32.70.  In the JV Boys 200 IM, Henry Chen put up the top time in 2:07.59.  Danny Kim gunned for second touch in 2:12.92, while University's Wesley Tsai raced for third (2:13.73).  Lady T-Wolf Amanda Hsieh launched a quick start and opened up a sizable advantage in the Varsity Girls 200 IM.  Hsieh stretched to the touch in 2:10.79 for the win. Teammate Corina Lee registered the second fastest time in 2:17.30, while University's Katherine Weiland took third in 2:19.70.  In the Varsity Boys David Xue was out at the 100 with fly/back over in 55.76, which kept him in for second in 1:59.60.  University's Brian Lou raced touching first 1:56.25, while Emiliano Olague added a third place for Northwood in 2:02.76.

50 Free

The Open Girls lead the charge with Grace Hagedorn giving the Timberwolves a victory in 30.28.  Freshman Shin Park followed second with 30.82, while University's Niloofar Khosravi closed out third in 34.91.  JV Boys Niko Honda turned in a title win with 25.84.  University's Lars Johnson touched second in 2:61.21, while Charles Shobe stayed close for third (26.32).  In the JV Girls University's Helen Wang took the win in 28.62.  Whitney Maynard (29.04) powered away from the field for second (29.04), while Ariel Lee ended third in 29.05.  On the JV Boys side, University's Sean Lee stopped the watch for first in 23.77.  Junior Nicholas Miceli put in a strong 23.93 for second, while teammate Sean Doan closed out third in 24.12.  Olivia Chen was dominant in the Varsity Girls 50 Free, crushing the field in 25.82.  The battle for second went to University's Annika Nie (25.84), while Isabella Pagano rounded third in 25.88.  University's Aaron Lee charted a top time of 21.54, while Luke Venzlaff placed second (22.37). Felix Zhu rounded out the top three positions in 22.61.

50 Fly

The afternoon saw a triple sweep from Northwood's Open Girls in the 50 Fly that included Shin Park (34.07), Daniella Ela (35.17), and Grace Schweizer (36.41).  Open Boys Jacob Crossman raced to a quick finish touching the wall with 27.96 for the win.  University's Sebastian Kogane (30.40) and Pravir Gurukar (30.42) went 2-3.  

100 Fly

Freshman Rachel Gima held on to third in a time of 1:15.82 in the JV Girls 100 Fly.  University's Ysabel Nakasone (1:08.32) and Linnea Jerkovich (1:15.14) went 1-2.  Sophomore Henry Chen highlighted the JV Boys, closing out 58.54 to pick up the second, while teammate Gautam Chaudhry prevailed with a third (1:01.99).  University's Sean Lee took the top time in 57.45.  The Lady T-Wolves mounted a furious challenge taking the lead on a 28.21 fly split from Carolyn Nguyen and going 1:00.10 for the solid win.  University's Isabella Pagano surged for second place in 1:00.92, while Mirabella Levine touched third in 1:02.14.   Varsity Boys Youssef Elseifi earned a second place in the 100 Fly touching in 55.15.  University's Aaron Lee won the title in 51.77, while Youssef Youssef rounded third in 55.76.

100 Free

Northwood Open Girls produced a trifecta in the 100 Free with Sophia Smith (1:08.18), Mia Tomovic Savinov (1:09.91), and Lauren Thorpe (1:10.60).  Freshman Oliver Allen produced an eye popping 54.80 for Northwood's Open Boys victory with Niko Honda contributed a second (58.62).  University's Tucker Blum rounded third in 57.00.  Kaitlyn Kong nailed down a win in the 100 Free going 1:04.18 for the JV Girls.  University's Helen Wang took second (1:05.15), while Kacy Kesler posted a third place finish in 1:05.26.  The afternoon saw a tight field of JV Boys in the 100 Free that included Javier Rodriguez (52.99) joined by Leo Giessman (53.99), and Justin Chung (54.31) for third.  Lady T-Wolf Amanda Hsieh had a strong swim working her way to the front of the pack midway maintaining control and winning the Varsity Girls 100 Free for Northwood in 52.74.  University's Annika Nie in at 57.35 for second, while Leila Mirsafian right behind with 57.95 to secure third.  Timberwolves David Xue checked in with a second time of 48.47 for the Varsity Boys.  University's Aaron Lee closed out the race with a top time of 46.91, while Luke Venzlaff rounded third (49.91).

 

500 Free

Northwood sophomore Charlotte Waddell was the quickest competitor in the JV Girls 500 Free this afternoon with 6:16.77.  Waddell was out 36-38 in most of her 50 splits, and held off University's Laila Aboifathi (6:23.10).  Whitney Maynard posted a 6:33.85 for third.  L. B. Wilson's Sean Choppin rounded third in 1:04.10.  Timberwolves freshman Kevin Hong marked the top time of the afternoon in 5:16.11 for the JV Boys.  University's Stewart Campbell (5:21.21) and Cyrus Mirsafian (5:23.29) turned in a 2-3.  Junior Malak Hassouna was the quickest competitor in the Varsity Girls 500 Free finishing well ahead of the field in 5:43.37.  Victoria Nguyen captured second in 5:52.41, while University's Chloe Johansson was third (5:55.72).  University's biggest challenger came from Hunter Kroll clocking a 4:43.32 for the title, followed by Nolan Chomin recording a 4:48.95 for second.  Sophomore Zachary Waddell turned in a third 4:54.37.

50 Back

Northwood's Open Girls shaped up with some speed and depth sweeping University in the 50 Back.  They led a field that includes Lilly Zhao (36.90), Daniella Ela (39.13), and Jana Hammoud (40.60).  The Open Boys went lights out showing real depth with two finishing in the top three in this race as well with Oliver Allen (29.41) and Charles Yang (30.66).  University's Adifya Kwatra rounded third (31.83).

100 Back

University's Nicole Kwong took the win for the JV Girls 100 Back event in 1:13.16.  Sophomore Joyce Kim mounted a furious challenge against Kwong touching second in 1:14.97.  Rachel Gima put in a solid third (1:16.47).  University's Javier Rodriguez (1:01.08) took the event in the JV Boys.  Danny Kim tracked down second powering in a 1:01.22, while Daivik Patel for third (1:02.57).  On the Varsity Girls side, Avery Liu pulled in a first place finish 1:02.82 in the 100 Back.  University's Alexandra Lindenberg provided a second (1:03.77), while Fiona Fan finished third in 1:04.64.  University's Sidney Miller (55.71) and Caedon Ng (56.23) went 1-2 in the Varsity Boys 100 Back.  Sophmore Jeremy Mah went third in 57.31.

50 Breast

The Open Girls Kylie Kenyon got out early and continued to build taking the 50 Breast title win in 39.10.  Anita Lamai took second in 43.02, while University's Charlotte Ding (45.65) was third.  Northwood Open Boys Orlando Olague clocked a 33.08 to win the event, while University's Michael Wu placed second in 33.59.  Kendrick Pham rounded close behind for third in 35.81.

100 Breast

JV Girls Sobyn Chung jumped out to an early lead and never relented at the 50 turn (38.72, then stretched out for the touch winning in 1:21.27.  Tara Esfahani took second in 1:21.37, while Brynna Hsia claimed third (1:23.21).  Ben Liu highlighted the JV Boys side, blasting a 1:02.94 to pick up the win in the 100 Breast.  Eric Zhu pulled in a second place showing in 1:06.21, while University's Wesley Tsai took third in 1:06.69.  On the Varsity Girls side, Corina Lee surged to a 1:09.43 for the second spot, while senior University's Mirabella Levine (1:09.41) and Katherine Weiland (1:12.59) took first and third.  Jenna Morley powered in a 1:12.79 for third. Timberwolves Henry Wu saw his win of the day in the 100 Breast touching the wall in 58.53, and the fastest splits in the field.  University's Bryan Lou earned second with 59.14, with Emiliano Olague heading to the wall in 1:03.55 for third.

Relays
Open Girls 200 Medley -  1st place  2:23.92  Lily Zhao (n/a), Kylie Kenyon (n/a), Grace Schweizer (37.26), Sopha Smith (29.97)
Open Boys 200 Medley -  1st place  1:54.37  Oliver Allen (28.52), Orlando Olague (33.21), Jacob Crossman (27.51), Andy Kim (25.13)
                                       -  3rd place  2:00.68  Charles Yang (30.66), Xuchao Li (33.20), Nathaniel Irwan (31.23), Jake Compton (25.59)
JV Girls 200 Medley -  1st place  2:10.17  Charlotte Waddell (34.18), Sobyn Chung (37.31), Sarah Hsu (31.43), Kaitlyn Kong (27.25)
                                  -  3rd place  2:15.70  Caitlin Novak (38.43), Brynna Hsia (36.47), Rachel Gima (40.80), Ariel Lee (20:00)
JV Boys 200 Medley -  1st place  1:45.62  Danny Kim (28.35), Ben Liu (27.88), Alex Overbaugh (26.26), Henry Chen (23.13)
                                  -  3rd place  1:50.86  Daivik Patel (29.85), Eric Zhu (30.12), Gautam Chaudhri (27.39), Nicholas Miceli (23.50)
Varsity Girls 200 Medley  -  1st place  1:54.40  Avery Liu (29.89), Corina Lee (32.52), Carolyn Nguyen (27.41), Amanda Hsieh (24.58)
Varsity Boys 200 Medley -  2nd place  1:42.29  Nick Huynh (27.32), Conner Budka (27.49), Youssef Elseifi (24.57), Christopher Pukszta (22.91)
Open Girls 200 Free -  1st place  2:08.28  Grace Schweizer (31.89), Lauren Thorpe (34.24), Mia Tomovic Savinov (31.68), Kylie Kenyon (30.47)