Rocky Mount High narrowly misses boys' Big East swim title

Led by the talented duo of Sarah Jones and Cassie Jones,Wilson Fike’s girls’ swim team held off Rocky Mount High by one point to repeat as Big East Conference champions Wednesday evening at the Rocky Mount YMCA.

The finish is believed to be the closest in conference history.

Wilson Fike’s boys, led by Luke Page’s victories in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 50-yard freestyle, and John Holston’s wins in the 100-yard backstroke and the 100-yard freestyle, also repeated as conference champions topping runner-up Wilson Hunt.

Sarah Jones won first place in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, while Cassie Jones won the 100-yard backstroke and the 100-yard butterfly. Each swam a leg on Fike’s first place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Despite Wilson Fike’s best efforts the Golden Demons could not shake the Gryphons.

Led by Kayla Miller and Jillian Lavely, who each won an individual event and captured four medals apiece, Rocky Mount would not go away.

Miller won the 200-yard Individual Medley and Lavely earned the 50-yard freestyle title, while both were on the Gryphons’ first-place, 200-yard freestyle relay team.

Rocky Mount coach Julie Baggett expressed admiration for the effort of her team.

“We tried to use strategy to maximize the potential of the team (Wednesday),” Baggett said. “Our team did everything we asked them to do…we’ll just get ready for regionals and states. Overall, it was a great meet.”

Nash Central’s Jennifer Jackson had first-place finishes in the 100 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke and was named the conference female Swimmer of the Year. In addition Jackson was on Nash Central’s winning relay team in the 200 medley relay.

Nash Central coach Kyle Bain said he felt that Jackson was a deserving winner.

“The award isn’t only about what a swimmer does in the pool,” Bain said. “It’s an award that recognizes academics and leadership in addition to performance. Jennifer is not only a leader for our team, but also a role model for other teams and a real ambassador for the sport of swimming.”

Rocky Mount senior Wyatt Phillips was recognized as the boys’ swimmer of the year.

Phillips won the 200 freestyle and was the runner-up in the 100 freestyle.

“Wyatt is the leader of our team,” Baggett said. “Everyone on the team looks up to him – from our freshmen up to the seniors on the team. He is the heart and soul of our team.”

By scott collie

Rocky Mount Telegram Correspondent

Wednesday, January 27, 2016