By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Powerful LARAYO began its now annual defense of the River Parishes Swim League championship with a victory over visiting Piranha Swim Team, 362-195. 

Aliyah Manson, Emily Schexnayder, Ben East and Paige Williams each hauled in three first place victories for LARAYO.

Eden Simoneaux and Madison Weber both secured two first place finishes. 

Dylan Smith, Adrienne Arnett, Hudson Heltz, Rosie Bourgeois, Blakely Heltz, Kaile Levatino, Gage Crowdus, Josh Vicknair, Evan Brady, Bailey Bourgeois and Kelsie Williams rounded out first place winners for the Barracudas (1-0). 

For PST, Christopher Hammett and Colton Duhon led the way with three first place wins. 

Alexandra Rutledge took two first place finishes, while Nathaniel Carter, Cole Volion, Kyla Cage, Colby Watkins, Madison Falgoust, Justin Jase and Cari Jane Rousseleach won one.

LARAYO won both the regular season and Swim League Invitational titles last season, going a perfect 7-0 between them. 

Though PST begins with a loss, the rebuilding team showed improvement from last season’s regular season finale meet with LARAYO, its score of 195 nearly a 70 point improvement from its 129.5 mark last season.