Every Drop of Water...

An ancient, enigmatic Farsi expression still used today in Afghanistan translates as: “Every drop of water, a river does make.”

Truer words could not be applied to the river in which the NWB Dolphins swim with hope, heart and heroics week after week. They showed strength as athletes and strength of character.

Their coach, Jared Fribush,  has always shown what leadership is all about. And we all have benefited. R.M.

Always a Compelling,

Emotional Event

As the NorthWest Branch Dolphins gathered on Saturday, July 18 for their final home meet of the 2009 MCSL swim season, they said farewell to half a dozen very familiar names.

They were the graduating senior swimmers who have turned 18 -- and have graduated from high school. It is each year an emotional moment for the families and especially the swimmers, many of whom have devoted a decade and a half to the team.

The seniors being honored this year were Doug Mackenzie, Haley Crock, Claire Murphy, Andrew Padgett, Melanie Snail and Nicole Wannen. R.M.

Left to Right, Andrew Padgett, Claire Murphy, Melanie Snail, Nicole Wannen, Doug Mackenzie and Haley Crock

In his last swims at NWB pool on July 18, 2009, Doug Mackenzie broke his own 100-meter Free Record and his

own 100-meter IM Record. Also see Record Board for new 14 & Under Boys’ Freestyle Relay time.

The NorthWest Branch Dolphins scored a string of mighty victories, knocking off four impressive team records in the MCSL E Division Championship Finals on Saturday (July 25).

The Dolphins finished in a very close third place. (See Dolphins Sked 2009 for Full Results & Glorious Photo Spread in Slideshow.)

Led by Coach Jared Fribush, the team racked up 818 points, narrowly squeezed out by Tanterra (820) and Rock Creek (855).

Doug Mackenzie broke two records in the 15-18 age group, one his own 100m IM from 2007 and another, the 50m Fly from 2005 by Luke Wang.

In the 9-10 Breast, Gus Gonzalez swam 19.54 to touch out Kevin Mackenzie’s 2006 record while Melanie Snail clocked 30.77 in the 50m Fly to shatter a team record that had held at NWB since 1995, set by Leah Wasser.

Dolphins Team Records Tumbled, as in the 15-18 Boys 50 Fly