All-Cabarrus News swim teams

For the first time ever, the South Piedmont Conference (SPC) became an eight-team all-Cabarrus County league. One of the conference’s new teams was Jay M. Robinson.

For Robinson, change was a good thing. After battling against some of Charlotte’s best in the ME-CA 7, Robinson, led by head coach Beverly Kopelic, dominated the SPC this season on both boys’ and girls’ sides.

Robinson not only swept the SPC boys’ and girls’ titles, but also finished in the top six at both the regional and state meets.

“This year, we have had a whole different feeling, mindset and level of energy,” Kopelic said, before the regional meet. “This is the best team we’ve had in my five years here.”

Boys' team

Boys Swimmer of the Year: Chad Heiser, J.M. Robinson.

The junior dominated his events in conference competition and excelled at the regional and state meets. Heiser finished in the top three at regionals in four different events and second in the 200 freestyle at states.

Boys Coach of the Year: Jamie Carter, Cox Mill.

In Cox Mill's first year, head coach Jamie Carter led the Chargers to a third overall conference finish. The Chargers also fared well in the postseason, finishing sixth at the regional meet and seventh at states.

50 Freestyle: Matt Icard, Hickory Ridge. South Piedmont Conference champion was also amongst state's best.

100 Freestyle: Ethan Garrison, Cox Mill. Sophomore finished fourth at states in both 50-and-100 freestyle.

200 Freestyle: Chad Heiser, Robinson. Named SPC Swimmer of the Year and finished second at states.

500 Freestyle: Austin Rohrer, Concord. One of region and state's best this season.

100 Breaststroke: Michael Dilks, Mount Pleasant. Sophomore a factor in SPC.

100 Backstroke: Zack Lambert, Hickory Ridge. 3A state champion in this event.

100 Butterfly: Rene Brown, Robinson. Senior finished second at regionals, fifth at states.

200 IM: Preston Roycroft, Cox Mill. Top five at states.

200 Free Relay: Hickory Ridge (Lambert, Matt Icard, Adam Mulchi, Ben Mack). Third at state meet.

400 Free Relay: Robinson (Griffin Fiedler, Heiser, Brown, Brian Todd). Fourth at states.

200 IM Relay: Robinson (Fiedler, Heiser, Brown, Forrest Cannon). Second at states.

Girls' team

Girls Swimmer of the Year: Julia Greer, Robinson.

Julia Greer was a part of four different first place finishes in the SPC meet, including two relays. She also took fourth place in three events at the 3A West Regional meet and finished in the top six in three events at states.

Girls Coach of the Year: Beverly Koepelic, Robinson.

Koepelic guided her teams to perfect 14-0 regular seasons, before leading both to top-six finishes at regionals and states.

50 Freestyle: Jackie Ramdin, Cannon. Sophomore one of CISAA's best. Finished 6th at the NCISAA meet in this event and the 100 backstroke.

100 Freestyle: Julia Greer, Robinson. SPC Swimmer of the Year.

200 Freestyle: Bethy Beard, Cox Mill. Qualified for state meet as sophomore.

500 Freestyle: Hunter Rogers, Robinson. Freshman finished in top six at states in two events.

100 Breaststroke: Meghan Masius, Robinson. With Addison White, had two state qualifiers in one event.

100 Backstroke: Alex Kirk, Robinson. Senior was area's only state competitor.

100 Butterfly: Taylor Greene, NW Cabarrus. Junior won SPC title.

200 IM: Addison White, Robinson. Sophomore in top six at regionals and states.

200 Free Relay: Robinson (Kirk, Greer, Rogers, White). Unbeaten in SPC.

400 Free Relay: Concord (Mary Blackwelder, Brianna Clark, Annabeth Bethune, Lucy Suddreth). Only squad to challenge Robinson's dominance.

200 IM Relay: Robinson (Kirk, Greer, Katy Gilbert, Meghan Masius). Sixth at states.