by RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A 0-2 start may have led many to forget about Riverlands as a contender in the River Parishes Swim League. But those first two meets now seem so long ago.

The Stingrays have now rattled off three straight victories, the latest coming at home over down-the-road rival Belle Terre, 381.5-168.5, at Riverlands Monday.

“The local meets are always the most funs for the kids,” said Riverlands coach Lindsey Eichhorn. “Everyone knows one another, friends and families, and it makes everyone excited to be there.”

The win set up a battle for second place between Riverlands and LaVacherie, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday night. Results will be in Wednesday’s edition.

Maddie Sympson, Grace Richoux, Mia Oncale and Jack Chapman each swept their three individual events to lead Riverlands (3-2) to victory.

Lauren St. Martin, Jordan St. Pierre, Alex Miller and Merryn Guidry were each two-event winners.

Other first place winners for Riverlands included Thomas Chapman, Jeanne St. Martin, Kerry Brown, Anna Guidry, Shelbi St. Pierre, Evan Richoux, Cameron Torres, Matt Torres, Maggie Kippes and Elise Loisel.

For Belle Terre, it was another big night for Colby Watkins, who had another three-victory night for the Piranhas.

Carter Volion, Tyra Watkins and Gage Alleman each took two first place wins.

Jacob Robinson, Tiara Williams, Giselle Jase, Zack Dantin, James Krawczyk rounded out first place winners for Belle Terre.

Riverlands outscored Belle Terre 135.5-80.5 through the first two strokes, then essentially put things away in the breaststroke, outscoring the Piranhas 77-29 to make it 212.5-109.5. That event was the high mark for Riverlands on the night; conversely, Belle Terre did its best work in the Backstroke, posting a score of 41.

After a tight Sun Villa meet, Eichhorn said that she felt her team entered Monday’s competition with a higher level of focus.

“We had team meetings during the week at practice and focused on the things we could do better, and also the things we did well,” she said. “(Monday) we really didn’t make any silly mistakes. Everyone really showed up.”