By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Riverlands and LaVacherie engaged in a mad scramble for a River Parish Swim League runner-up finish Monday, and things came down to the wire.
But the Stingrays emerged from the fray on a night ultimately decided by relays, Riverlands outscoring LaVacherie 42-28 in the freestyle relay to capture a close 286-266 victory.
Riverlands (5-1) led throughout the night after taking a 59-49 advantage after the individual freestyle event. But LaVacherie (4-2) never went away, tying the Stingrays in the backstroke (54-54) and winning the breaststroke (54-53) and butterfly (46-43).
The Stingrays led by six entering the medley relay and maintained that advantage after the two teams tied at 35 in the event.
Shae Waguespack and Jordan St. Pierre led the way for Riverlands, winning three individual events each.
Fellow Stingrays Briley Holley, Truman Treas, Thomas Chapman, Maddie Sympson and Grace Richoux each won two events, while Lauren Laiche and Trey Romaguera rounded out Stingray winners.
Riverlands now turns its attention to the River Parish Swim League Invitational, which it finished second place in a season ago. The Invitational is set to be held at LARAYO July 12-14.