Defeating Stonewall Jackson in a sport is usually a pretty nice token in and of itself for the athletes at Battlefield High School.

On Friday night, however, there was something else sprecial about the Bobcat swimmers topping their Raider counterparts at the Freedom Acquatic and Recreational Center in Manassas. The Battlefield boys and girls not only bounced back from their first losses of the season to local powerhouse Osbourn Park but did so decisively enough to once again prove the Bobcats have a legitimate chance at making a deep post-season run.

"I feel that they all have come together now," said Battlefield coach Karri Guiliani. "Winning's not the only thing but it certainly feels good when you win."

The Battlefield boys swept all 11 first-place titles as part of their 213-73 victory while the Bobcat girls won seven out of 12. Kenny Heidel, Nick Tremols and Justin Bogle each won two individual events and also were on two championship relay teams. Jacob Crosdell produced a regional-qualifying win in the 500 yard freestyle while also being part of two winning relay teams.

Ford Whittaker ended up in the winner's circle once as an individual (200 yard relay), once on a team (200 yard medley relay) and earned two second-place titles too.

"What's been best about the boys is they really want that team win," said Guiliani. "We want Battlefield to be the district champion."

According to her coach, one of the perks about the boys team is the swimmers have shown that they are willing to give up swimming in their best events if they have to plug holes elsewhere. Though the statistics from the Stonewall Jackson match would not prove it as the boys were flawless at the top, Guiliani said an important part to both team's success is the level of competition just amongst the teammates.

"Even though the team's smaller, I feel that we have a larger talent pool this year," she said, stressing that the 64 swimmers are overall among the most athletic she's had.

The same goes for the girls side, though they may be an even longer-term threat to Cedar Run District opponents. Freshmen Holly Criscuolo and Natalie Martin each won two individual events and teamed up twice for first-place titles in relays matches.

"We're putting together solid A relays; we're putting together B relays that are competitors for second- and third-place consistently," said Guiliani, whose girls team won 198-88 over SJHS.

Stonewall sisters Erin and Carrie VanBuskirk managed to stem the Bobcats' winning tide just a bit by combining for three top finishes. Senior Emily Reese also claimed a victory in the 100 yard breaststroke.

Erin VanBuskirk came back this season after being forced to take 15 months off due to shoulder surgery. According to Stonewall coach Dorothy Collins, even though her times may not be as fast as they were in her sophomore year, she and her sophomore sister have legitimate chances at making it to regions on their own just by securing top-eight finishes at the Cedar Run District meet next month.

"She provides leadership," said Collins. "She understands how the sport of swimming works."

Collins said she expects her girls team to finish fifth at districts while she thinks her boys team has a shot at fourth place behind Osbourn Park, Osbourn and Battlefield.

Guiliani, on the other hand, is aiming directly for the top. Given that Battlefield beat Osbourn already and the boys were just a handful of points away from upsetting OP, she likes her team's odds come the post season.

"If we have any chance at it, they're just going to have to have some amazing swims," she said.