LARAYO CLINCHES CROWN

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 1, 2008

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Only one team has held the River Parish Swim League championship since 2000. That won’t change this year.

For the eighth consecutive season, Larayo (6-0) clinched the lesgue’s regular season championship. On Thursday, the Barracudas made it official with a 412-139 victory over Riverlands, to finish with an undefeated record.

“The kids are excited for the accomplishment,” said Larayo swim Coach Michelle Jensen. “I felt like we finished very strongly, even in the second and third heats.

“Now, we’re looking forward to the River Parish Swim League) Invitational.”

It’s a disappointing end to the regular season for Riverlands (4-2), which ends the season with two straight losses to fall to third in the league, a year after finishing second.

Larayo led 74 to 34 after the freestyle stroke and surged from there, scoring 72 in the backstroke, 85 in the breaststroke, and 69 in the butterfly. The Barracudas scored a combined 112 in the relays.

Brandon Klibert, Austin Matherne, Paige Williams, Meredith Keating, Maggie Trepagnier, and Kaila Klibert led the way to the crown by winning three individual events each for Larayo.

For Riverlands, Kyle Wilking was the top points earner with three first place finishes.

Evan Brady, Jordan Loving, Jordan Jensen, Will East, Cody Schafer, Kelsie Williams each took two first place finishes for the Barracudas.

Emily Brady, Hailey Specht, Lindsey DeSilvey, Alexis Puisseguer, Kelly Campbell, Mallory Fernandez, Luke Jackson, Ben East, and Kaile Levantino rounded out the first place swimmers for Larayo.

For Riverlands, first place swimmers were Grace Richoux and Trey Guidry.

Now with the River Parish Invitational a little over a week away, Jensen has her team preparing.

“I think we’ll have a successful day,” she said. “We have strong swimmers, and our depth helps there as well. We should have a decent number of participants.”