Three-Peat: Men's swimming and diving captures third straight title

Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams had successful ends to their 2015- 2016 seasons, with the men’s team winning its third consecutive 3A State Championship and the women’s unit placing second to Marvin Ridge High School.

In order to achieve victory, swimmers endured months of intense training and daily practices that started at 6 a.m.

“It’s hard to get up that early and get to the pool, but once you were there in the water with your friends, the early hour didn’t matter as much,” freshman Mia Hoover said.

Before competing at states on February 12, both teams had finished undefeated in the dual meet regular season and had come in first place at the conference and regional championships.

Coach Steve Riegler was proud of the team’s development. “It’s a tremendous accomplishment to win states and be runner-up on the women’s side. This was our third state championship in a row for the men, and the women worked hard to get back up to the runner-up spot,” Riegler said.

Sophomore Jordan Ren competed at states for the men and set a new school record in the 200 meter individual medley.

“It was awesome to win states and allow the seniors to get in one more win before graduating,” Ren said. “However, since Gibbons wasn’t there, there was less excitement when we got the win.”

The 200 meter freestyle relay team composed of senior CJ Eron, junior Kou Li, Ren and senior Eli Rose captured the men’s only first place swim. Ren also placed third in the 200 meter individual medley, while Li finished sixth in both the 100 meter backstroke and the 100 meter butterfly.

For the women, senior captain Claire DeSelm won her third straight state title in the 100 meter butterfly.

Junior captain Niki Billman was happy with the success of the team.

“The teammate support on the side of the pool deck was great all season,” Billman said. “I love [the] swim team.”

The teams were led by captains Billman, DeSelm, senior Lauren Taekman, senior Matt Cadena, junior Max Moore and Rose.

Although Chapel Hill’s diving team practices separately from the swimmers, its performance at states was still important to the success of the team. Freshman Alexander Knight placed tenth, sophomore Ethan Burkett placed eighth, and junior Carly Bell came in ninth at states.

DeSelm believes that the women’s team will have a chance of winning first at the state championship in future years.

“We have quite a few girls coming up next year, but quite a few girls graduating this year,” DeSelm said. “I think it’s going to be a tough feat, but ultimately very doable.”

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