By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

The Sun Villa Sharks held off a late surge in the freestyle relay event to hold off visiting Belle Terre on Monday night, earning a slim 278-254 win.

Belle Terre won five of the last six relay races of the night, piling up 35 of the last 42 points, but Sun Villa established enough of a lead in the individual events to hold its position as leader.

The Piranhas move to 1-2 on the season. They faced Hill Heights on Thursday (results not in at presstime) and will host rival Riverlands on Monday night. It will be the first time that Belle Terre coach Kyle Wilking faces his former team, as the first year coach wrapped up his swimming tenure with the Stingrays last year.

Cari Jane Roussel, Gage Alleman and Luke Nitschke each swept their three individual events, taking three first place finishes for Belle Terre.

Michael Ray, Tyra Watkins, Jobe Kelly and Colby Watkins each took two first place finishes for the Piranhas.

Morgan Torres and Austin Douroux rounded out Belle Terre’s first place winners.