The LNC boys totaled 267.5 points to finish second to Carrboro (291.5) at the 1A/2A State Championships in Cary last weekend, while the Lady Knights finished with 238 points behind Raleigh Charter's 378.
"We swam really, really well," said LNC coach Alison Pick. "Unfortunately, we came up a little bit short."
The boys' title was Carrboro's third straight. Raleigh Charter's girls have won two straight state titles.
LNC won four events, including the boys' 200-yard medley relay, which set a 1A/2A state record with a time of 1:40.80. Team members included Chris Cardwell, Jake Koferl, Brian Piccirilli and Brian Davis.
Cardwell and Carrboro's Caleb Camp tied for the win in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 52.80, and LNC swept the diving titles with Nathan Lane (325.80 points) and Adyson Lowe (411.45). LNC's Erin Lee finished third behind Lowe.
Piccirilli had a runner-up swim in the 50 freestyle, and Brian Davis took second in the 100 breaststroke. Cardwell, Davis, Piccirilli and Austin Jones combined to place second in the 400 freestyle relay.
Emma Rubel swam to a runner-up finish in the girls' 100 backstroke and joined Lauren Davis, Gabi Osterholz and Abbey Joiner on a second-place 200 freestyle relay team. Rubel, Osterholz, Joiner and Emily Hunt swam to second in the 400 freestyle relay.
Pick said she is proud of the team's 19 seniors, many of whom helped start the program four years ago.
"It's a big class to be walking out the door," said Pick. "Their experience and what not has been invaluable in passing down to the team that this is how we do it."
Eagles have won four straight MAC titles
SouthLake Christian's domination in the Metrolina Athletic Conference continues.
With victories last Friday at Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center, the Eagle boys and girls have each won four straight league titles.
SouthLake coach Gary Anderson said it's not because of overwhelming talent or numbers, and it's especially not due to having a pool full of seniors — the Eagles have just two senior girls and no senior, or even junior, boys. Instead, there's a drive Anderson sees in his swimmers.
"They swim from their heart and literally believe they can do it," said Anderson. "And they just do it."
Anderson had to laugh when the Eagle boys' 400 freestyle relay team stepped onto the medal stand. Sam King, Cam Dehart, Evan Crook and Lucas Haskins had won in a time of 4:18.31, but the quartet included one freshman and three middle-schoolers. When Westminster Catawba's runner-up team stepped onto the stand, all the members towered over SouthLake's winners, even though they were standing on a lower step.
"That relay, though, depicted our team," said Anderson. "A lot of spunk, a lot of character and a will to do it."
SouthLake's boys, who totaled 244 points, won five other events, including John Baker in the 200 individual medley (2:05.61) and 100 butterfly (55.07). Austin Meletiou won the 100 breaststroke (1:07.33).
Baker, Meletiou, Joseph Bryant and Andrew Van Wingerden teamed to win the 200 medley (1:51.63) and 200 freestyle (1:40.43) relays.
The Lady Eagles compiled 517 points and won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:53.32. Team members included Kate King, Moriah Anderson, Brittany Bisese and Taylor Harkey.
SouthLake will swim in the NCISAA 3A Championships Tuesday in Greensboro.
— Staff
