By David Rogers. WILKESBORO, N.C. — Capturing first place honors in 20 of 24 high school swimming events is a good start toward winning both ends of Watauga’s tri-meet vs. South Caldwell and Alexander Central on Dec. 1, at the Wilkesboro YMCA, but it was the roster depth exhibited by the Pioneers that really stands out.
A good example: Watauga had 17 swimmers in the top 20 of the Women’s 50 Free, headlined by a 1-4 sweep by Maggie Cheves, Athena Elliott, Lola Herring, and Macie Kent.
The Watauga women defeated South Caldwell, 70-21, and cruised by Alexander Central, 66-23.
The Pioneer men recorded an identical score against South Caldwell, 70-21, while having little difficulty in besting Alexander Central, 74-14.
“Coming off Thanksgiving break, I thought the team swam really well,” said Watauga head coach David Gragg. “This meet was a chance for us to allow newer faces a chance to swim on relays while some of our more experienced swimmers focused on individual events. South Caldwell was not at full strength, so when we swim against them again it will be a tougher meet. Alexander Central has some good swimmers and they will push us down the road.”
SELECTED STRONG PERFORMANCES (Not a complete listing)
- Ryan Wood – 1st, Men’s 200 Medley Relay; 1st Men’s 200 IM; 1st Men’s 200 Backstroke
- Lauren Patterson – 1st, Women’s 200 Medley Relay; 1st, Women’s 100 Free; 1st, Women’s 100 Backstroke; 3rd, Women’s 400 Free Relay (B team)
- Virginia St. Clair – 1st, Women’s 200 Free; 2nd, Women’s 100 Free
- Michael Makdad – 1st, Men’s 200 Free; 1st, Men’s 100 Free; 1st, Men’s 400 Free Relay
- Wesley Coatney – 1st, Men’s 200 Medley Relay; 2nd, Men’s 200 IM; 2nd, Men’s 100 Free
- Maggie Cheves – 1st, Women’s 200 Medley Relay; 1st, Women’s 50 Free; 1st, Women’s 100 Butterfly
- Athena Elliott – 1st, Women’s 200 Medley Relay; 2nd, Women’s 200 IM; 2nd, Women’s 50 Free
- Elise Rasco – 1st, Women’s 200 IM; 6th, Women’s 50 Free
- Annabelle Stewart – 2nd, Women’s 200 Free; 9th Women’s 50 Free; 1st, Women’s 400 Free Relay (A team)
- Lola Herring – 1st, Women’s 200 Medley Relay; 3rd, Women’s 50 Free; 2nd, Women’s 100 Backstroke
- Paul Gamiel – 1st, Men’s 100 Breaststroke; 1st, Men’s 200 Medley Relay; 1st, Men’s 500 Free
- Vaughn Ladd – 1st, Men’s 50 Free; 1st, Men’s 200 Free Relay; 1st, Men’s 400 Free Relay
- Anson Ross – 1st, Men’s 200 Medley Relay; 1st, Men’s 100 Butterfly; 2nd, Men’s 100 Backstroke
- Mary-Kathryn Riddle – 1st, Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Altogether, Watauga had more than 50 swimmers compete.
