By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Larayo stands one win away from successfully defending its regular season River Parish Swim League crown outright, after defeating visiting Belle Terre on Monday night, 420-132.

The Barracudas had already clinched at least a share of the title after Hill Heights defeated Riverlands on Monday night. The Stingrays needed a win over Larayo on Thursday night to force a first place tie, and keep the Barracudas from going undefeated again.

“Everyone’s excited,” said Larayo Swimming coach Michelle Jensen. “It’s the last meet of the (regular) season, and the kids get to compete against a lot of their friends. That’s always a fun thing.”

Such was also the case with Larayo and Belle Terre. Many Barracudas shined, including  Brandon Klibert, Austin Matherne, Paige Williams, Hailey Specht and Maggie Trepagnier – all took three first place finishes each, helping Larayo to victory.

Ashton Torres led the way for Belle Terre, capturing three first place finishes of his own.

Larayo led 83 to 25 after the freestyle stroke. The Barracudas would score 79 in the backstroke, 80 in the breaststroke, 66 in the butterfly, and a combined 112 in the two relay events.

Three swimmers entered the night undefeated on the season – Larayo’s Brandon Klibert, and Belle Terre’s Gage Alleman and Alexis Bailey. Klibert was able to top Alleman in three events in the 11 & 12 boys group, while Bailey and Larayo’s Kaila Klibert, who entered having won 10 of the 12 races she took part in this season, split in the two races they faced off head to head.

Jensen said that, at this late stage of the year, she’s been able to begin determining which stroke is the strongest for each individual swimmer – something that will come into play at the River Parish Invitational in two weeks.

“We’ve been able to let some kids swim different strokes and in different events to see what their strengths are,” she said.

Those who won two individual events for Larayo include: Will East,  Jordan Jensen, Cody Schafer, Kelly Campbell, Kelsie Williams, Alexis Puisseguer, and Kaila Klibert.

Rounding out first place Larayo winners were: Shelby Clement, Mallory Fernandez, Luke Jackson, Brennan Clement, Jayce Tamplain, Alex East, Evan Brady, Luke Brouwer, and Kaile Levantino.    Bailey took two first place finishes for Belle Terre.

Rounding out the first place winners for the Piranhas were Cari Jane Roussel, Tyra Watkins, and James Krawczyk.