DATE: Thursday, November 21, 2024 
LOCATION: Chatham, VA / Hargrave Military Academy
SCORE: Swimming 131, Hargrave 67
RECORD: 1-0 
 
SHORT STORY: Fork Union Military Academy's swimming team made a strong start to its dual meet season, defeating rival Hargrave Military Academy, 131-67, on Thursday evening.
 
QUOTE: "Our squad had an outstanding season debut against Hargrave Military Academy," said head coach Jon Larson. "The meet was run at a hectic pace, lasting just over an hour, leaving very little rest between races. Brandon Scheel qualified for the State Meet in both of his individual events (200 and 500 freestyle) with lifetime-best performances, and we saw some impressive relays that were very competitive. I couldn't have asked for a better start to the season."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Blue Devils delivered 19 top-three finishes, including nine first-place victories across 24 events.
• Brandon Scheel and Andres Olalla-Casas led the team with two individual golds each. Scheel won the 200 freestyle (1:58.95) and 500 freestyle (5:25.89), while Olalla-Casas claimed titles in the 200 IM (2:28.26) and 100 butterfly (1:08.15). The duo teamed up with Seth Cella and Liam Jenson to secure first place in both the 200 medley relay (1:56.02) and 200 freestyle relay (1:43.12).
• Seth Cella also claimed an individual victory in the 100 breaststroke (1:15.10), while Kaiden Myer won the 100 freestyle (59.81).
• The meet concluded with a dominant performance in the 400 freestyle relay, as Peyton Cottey, Kaiden Myer, Taylor Williams, and Liam Jenson finished with a winning time of 3:44.70.

UP NEXT: 
The Blue Devils will return to competition on Friday, December 6, when they travel to Trinity Episcopal School for the TES Season Kickoff, starting at 6 p.m.