Churchill sophomore Hanan Bandak, above swimming to a runner-up finish in the 100-yard breaststroke against Richard Montgomery, is among the reasons the top-ranked Bulldogs have sat atop the rankings the entire season. (Photo by Deb Lindsey)
1. Churchill (4-0) Last week: 1
Led by double winners Hannah Lindsey and Elaina Gu, the Bulldogs earned an easy 118-53 victory over Richard Montgomery. Freshman Sophomore Hanan Bandak added an individual victory in the 100-yard freestyle (55.08) for Churchill, which hasn’t lost a dual meet since 2012-13. Up next: Wootton (Jan. 17)
2. Holton-Arms School (7-2) Last week: 2
The Panthers won their last dual meet before the Independent School League championship, a 106-79 victory over Madeira. Up next: ISL Championships at Holton-Arms (Jan. 23)
3. Robinson (5-0) Last week: 3
Hannah Baker anchored both freestyle relays to first-place finishes and added a win in the 50 freestyle to lead the Rams past then-No. 10 Westfield, 211-101. Up next: Chantilly (Jan. 16)
4. Oakton (4-1) Last week: 4
The Cougars surged past No. 16 Chantilly, 203-109. Junior Megan Byrnes overcame a tough challenge from Chargers star sophomore Lea Gwennap in the 200 and 500 freestyle, but finished strong in both to remain undefeated this season. Up next: Herndon (Jan. 16)
5. Langley (4-1) Last week: 5
Led by Isabella Rongione and a cast of state finalists, the Saxons rolled past Marshall, 230-81. Up next: Fairfax (Jan. 16)
6. W.T. Woodson (5-0) Last week: 6
Facing a top-heavy rival after the winter break, the Cavaliers stood tall in downing then-No. 7 West Springfield, 182-133. Leah Rogers led 1-2 finishes in the 100 butterfly (1:002.46) and 200 IM (2:14.72), and Woodson claimed first-place points in eight of 12 events. Up next: Lake Braddock (Jan. 16)
7. Yorktown (5-0) Last week: 8
Suzanne Dolan led the Patriots to a 197-118 victory over Washington-Lee, completing a sweep of their Arlington County rivals in their last year against former National District opponents. Up next: Falls Church (Jan. 16)
8. Sherwood (3-1) Last week: 12
Despite a challenge by Northwest’s standout sophomores Jaycee Yegher and Sydney Knapp, the Warriors won their second in a row, 105-66. Morgan Hill has been sharp this season and has had help from Margarita Ryan. Up next: Poolesville (Jan. 17)
9. Academy of the Holy Cross (6-0) Last week: 13
In their first meet since entering the rankings, the Tartans defeated National Cathedral (130-55) and Madeira (106-80). Up next: No. 19 Good Counsel (Jan. 20)
10. West Springfield (4-1) Last week: 7
No. 6 W.T. Woodson proved too much for the Spartans, but individual performances by Robyn Dryer and Christin Swanepoel-Stevens give West Springfield reason to be optimistic as the postseason approaches. Up next: Lee (Jan. 16)
11. West Potomac (3-2) Last week: 14
After dropping the first two meets of the season while fielding a spotty roster, the Wolverines have won three straight, including last Friday against Lee. Cassidy Bayer and Holly Jansen remain the best freshman duo in the region. Up next: South County (Jan. 16)
12. South Lakes (3-2) Last week: 11
The Seahawks fell to Madison, 169.5-145.5, after down performances by team stars Emily Landeryou and Natalie Obando. Emma Bulger won the 1-meter event for South Lakes with 283.65 points. Up next: Marshall (Jan. 16)
13. Westfield (3-2) Last week: 10
Westfield fell to Robinson, 211-101. In a stacked field of backstrokers, Chloe Hicks looks like one of the toughest racers, beating sprinter Hannah Baker head-to-head. Up next: Centreville (Jan. 16)
14. Battlefield (5-0) Last week: 14
The Bobcats have been the class of Prince William County this season, with recent victories over Manassas Park and Stonewall Jackson, 221-75. Up next: Patriot (Jan. 16), Seton Invitational (Jan. 17)
15. James Madison (4-1) Last week: NR
A balanced effort that included five 1-2 finishes propelled the Warhawks past then-No. 11 South Lakes, 169.5-145.5, after Madison swept first-place points in all six of the back-half events
16. McLean (4-1) Last week: 16
After a loss to rival Langley to finish 2014, the Highlanders rebounded with a easy win over Fairfax, but no time for rest with tough opponents in consecutive weeks ahead. Up next: Jefferson (Jan. 16)
17. Blair (2-2) Last week: 9
The Blazers didn’t have the depth needed against Walter Johnson and fell to the Wildcats, 91-80. Madison Waechter and Sammie Grant continue to impress for Montgomery Blair. Up next: Whitman (Jan. 17)
18. St. John’s College (N/A) Last week: 19
No results reported. Swam St. Mary’s Ryken. Up next: DeMatha, Elizabeth Seton (Jan. 22)
19. Good Counsel (N/A) Last week: NR
The Falcons went 5-0 against No. 20 Stone Ridge, Georgetown Day, Potomac School and Bullis in a quad meet Saturday. French Olivia and Allison Wade were double event winners, and Wade added an winning anchor leg in the 400 freestyle relay, holding off a charging Katie Ledecky. Up next: Academy of the Holy Cross, Bishop Ireton (Jan. 20)
20. Stone Ridge (12-5) Last week: 20
Katie Ledecky finished her last dual meet at her home pool individual victories in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. She missed setting the pool record, held by No. 2 Holton-Arms’ Caroline McTaggart, but nabbed the 100 breaststroke record for her ninth and final pool record. Stone Ridge defeated Georgetown Day, Potomac School and Bullis, but fell to Good Counsel (116-69). Up next: Madeira (Jan. 14)
No longer ranked: Chantilly (1-4), Richard Montgomery (1-3)
*Incomplete or no results reported
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