Natalia Ghan
Staff Writer
 |
| Ashling Murphy (10) competing in the 200M Individual Medley |
The Apex women’s
swim and dive team finished the Southern Wake Athletic Conference Championships
in second place with 498 points, behind Green Hope with 589 points, and ahead
of Panther Creek with 413 points. The girls have a strong returning team from last
year. Head coach Kevin Maksinchuk is optimistic going into regionals and
states. “The goal is to place top eight in all events Apex is entered in to ensure
that we have a big group qualifying for the state meet. At states we want to
swim fast, place high, and win.” Returning senior Claire Williams, who will be
swimming at William and Mary in the fall, placed second in the 100 breaststroke
at conference meet with a 1:07.96.
Williams will be a key swimmer in the women’s team ranking at regionals
and states. Sophomore Madison Deters swam in states as a freshman and returns
to swim the 100m and 200m freestyle in regionals. “It’s really exciting that we
have a regional team of 12 girls. I’ve become good friends with them this year,
and we’re all ready to compete in states.” Junior Hannah Day placed fifth in
the 500m free in states as a sophomore, and finished fourth at conference with
a 5:05.9. Day was satisfied with her performance, and believes she is capable
of swimming faster these next two meets. “I wasn’t tapered so I wasn’t
expecting to drop time in the 500 free; but I’ll be rested for states.” State competitor
Olivia Hair returns as a junior with a regional cut in the 100m breaststroke
and 200m IM. Hair looks back on conference in a positive light. “Even though we
did not win, we put in our best effort and I wouldn’t want to be on any other
team. Individually I was happy placing fourth in the 100 breaststroke and hope
to qualify for states tonight.”
This evening the
following students will be competing
in the NCHSAA Eastern Regional Championships:
Freshmen:
Helen Julian – 100m backstroke
Emma DeCaro – 100m freestyle
Sophomores:
Madison Deters – 200m freestyle 100m freestyle
Alexandria Diacumakos- 200m freestyle 100m backstroke
Erin Conroy – 50m freestyle 500m freestyle
Juniors:
Ashlyn Butkowski – 200m freestyle 500m freestyle
Hannah Day- 200m freestyle 500m freestyle
Olivia Hair – 200m IM 100m breaststroke
Morgan Montgomery- 200m IM 100m backstroke
Olivia Anson – 100m butterfly 100m freestyle
Katie Godlewski – 100m freestyle 100m backstroke
Senior:
Claire Williams – 200m
IM 100m breaststroke
