A Brambleton Breakthrough

Thanks to Swimmers Like Edwards, Bettas Enjoying Success

By Matt Brooks (Contact)

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Christian Edwards stole a quick peek to his left while grabbing a breath during his 100-meter individual medley heat on Saturday at Rivercrest and saw nothing but open water. The 13-year-old from Brambleton was well ahead of the lone opponent in his heat … as well as the entire 15-to-18-year-old group.

Edwards – who won that race and finished first or second in two others – is one of the key members on a Brambleton team that has established itself as one of the top squads in the Old Dominion Swim League.

"We didn’t win at all the first couple years," coach and team founder John David said. "Last year I think we got three, but this year we’ve been terrific."

The Bettas entered Saturday’s meet against Rivercrest with a 6-0 record and led the ODSL with 2,814 total team points. Despite suffering a 457-303 loss to the Riptide, Brambleton remains one of the top teams in the league heading into the final few meets.

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Brambleton at Rivercrest, July 12

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Swimmers compete in the girls' 13-14 50-meter breaststroke at the Brambleton-Rivercrest meet on Saturday in Sterling. (Matt Brooks)

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Rivercrest's Justin Jenter, 17, swims the butterfly portion of his individual medley at the Riptide's meet against Brambleton on Saturday in Sterling (Matt Brooks)

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Brambleton's Christian Edwards, 13, swims the breaststroke portion of his 100-meter individual medley at the Betas' meet against Rivercrest on Saturday in Sterling. (Matt Brooks)

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Brambleton's Christian Edwards, 13, swims the backstroke portion of the boys 15-18 200 meter medley relay at the Betas' meet against Rivercrest on Saturday in Sterling. (Matt Brooks)

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Members of the Rivercrest Riptide look to stay cool during their home meet against Brambleton on Saturday in Sterling. (Matt Brooks)

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Along with continued annual team growth, the difference for Brambleton has been the success and leadership of a handful of year-round swimmers like Edwards. An eighth-grader at Stone Hill Middle School, Edwards swam for Loudoun’s SNOW this winter and plans to join Curl-Burke Swim Club this fall. And while he enjoys the rigors of winter team swimming, Edwards said he is always looks forward to the summer season.

"It’s just a lot more fun than swimming in the winter," Edwards said. "They don’t push you as hard out here, so you can just have fun and be with your friends. I still push myself to do well but there’s not as much pressure."

Even with the relaxed atmosphere, Edwards has excelled as one of the Bettas’ top talents, posting quality times in freestyle, backstroke, individual medley and in his legs of the team relays. On Saturday he matched a personal best in the 50-meter backstroke, winning his heat with a time of 36.69.

"He brings some leadership in that he sets an example in his stroke and turn techniques and how to handle yourself in a meet," David said. "We have a few year-round swimmers, Christian being one of them, and they sort of set the bar for the other kids to reach for. They see kids like him swim and they want to try harder to emulate him."

Edwards, who joined Brambleton two years ago, had taught a few lessons but doesn’t see himself as a role model just yet. He’s just out to spend time with friends and have some fun. Still, he doesn’t mind winning a few races along the way.

"I don’t usually win too often in the winter because it’s tougher competition," he said. "So it’s fun to be out here and be able to win my heats."

Tagged: Old Dominion Swim League, swimming, swimming results

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