2013 All-Cabarrus News swim team led by Concord, Robinson

Beverly Kopelic and her Jay M. Robinson swim team have had a stranglehold on the South Piedmont Conference since joining the league.

After going unbeaten in the regular season, the Lady Bulldogs won their fourth straight SPC title by 87.5 points (over second-place Cox Mill). But the Concord boys’ claimed the SPC championship over Robinson, 480 to 470, clinching it by winning the meet’s final event – the 400-meter relay.

Robinson led the way at the 3A state meet, finishing fourth on the boys’ side and fifth on the girls’ side. Concord’s boys also made an impact at states, finishing sixth.

Cabarrus News swim coach of the year: Ray Morgan, Concord

Ray Morgan is no stranger to success in the pool at Concord. The 13-year Spiders head coach has won 13 SPC titles (eight boys, five girls).

But what turned out to be lucky No. 13 this season may have been the most satisfying for Morgan. The Spiders boys claimed their first league crown since 2008 with only 13 swimmers, combining 18 personal-best times and four school records.

Concord should continue strong next season; they are expected to return three of their top swimmers in freshman Sam Jones, sophomore Tucker Wall and junior Justus Cochran.

Cabarrus News boys’ swimmer of the year: Griffin Fiedler, Jay M. Robinson

Griffin Fiedler has been a big part Robinson’s success the last four seasons.

In his final high school season, the senior won his second state championship by defending his 3A 100-yard butterfly title (50.68).

Fiedler won SPC and regional titles in both the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, in addition to anchoring the 400-freestyle relay that was 3A West Regional and state runner-up. He also finished fourth in the 200 freestyle at states.

Cabarrus News girls’ swimmer of the year: Maija Roses, Cannon

Maija Roses slowed down as she recovered from hip surgery, but the Cannon junior still managed to win three NCISAA 3A state titles.

Roses defended her 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke state titles – all while also anchoring Cannon’s 200-medley relay to a state championship. The Lady Cougars were fourth at states.

Roses still has one more season to keep challenging the school and state record books.

All-Cabarrus News swim team

Boys

• 50 freestyle: Tyler Gomez, Jay M. Robinson, Jr. - SPC Swimmer of the Year was regional champ, third at states (21.80).

• 100 freestyle: Justus Cochran, Concord, Jr. - 3A state runner-up (48.10) was also regional champion.

• 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly: Griffin Fiedler, Jay M. Robinson, Sr. - State champion in 100 butterfly, was fourth at states in 200 free.

• 500 freestyle: Daniel Sanchez, A.L. Brown, So. - Wonder was fifth at regional, 11th at states (5:04.82).

• 200 IM: Quinn Montgomerie , Hickory Ridge, Jr. - Ragin’ Bull was fourth at regional, sixth at states (2:00.92).

• 100 backstroke: Davied Sanchez, A.L. Brown, Sr. - SPC champion was regional and state runner-up (53.35).

• 100 breaststroke: Nicholas Hinojosa, Hickory Ridge, Sr. - Bulls’ standout was 11th at regionals, 12th at states (1:04.86).

• 200 medley relay: Jay M. Robinson ( Fiedler, Gomez, Ben Masius, Ryan Buddendeck) - Bulldogs were regional runners-up, 3rd at states (1:41.33).

• 200 freestyle relay: Concord ( Tucker Wall, Cochran, Greg Leeman, Sam Jones) - Spiders were 3A West Regional champions (1:30.39), set county record at SPC meet.

• 400 freestyle relay: Jay M. Robinson ( Buddendeck, Dillon Roey, Gomez, Fiedler) - Bulldogs (3:14.81) were state and West Regional runners-up.

Girls

• 50 freestyle: Ashton Brown, Jay M. Robinson, Fr. - SPC record-holder finished sixth at regional, eighth at states (25.51).

• 100 and 200 freestyle: Hunter Rogers, Jay M. Robinson, Sr. - Three-time SPC Swimmer of the Year was fourth in 100 (53.92), sixth in 200 (1:56.14) at states.

• 500 freestyle: Sydney Vandenberg , Central Cabarrus, So. - Viking was fifth at regionals, 11th at states (5:25.35).

• 200 IM and 100 breaststroke: Maija Roses, Cannon, Jr. - Doubled as NCISAA state champion with 2:06.24 in the 200 IM, 1:04.26 in 100 breaststroke.

• 100 butterfly: Lexi Wrist, Cox Mill, Jr. - Charger was SPC champion, finished 11th at states (1:00.79).

• 100 backstroke: Diana Dale, Cannon, Fr. - Cougar was third at state meet (1:01.22).

• 200 medley relay: Cannon ( Dale, Roses, Darby West, Isabella Jackson): State champions swam a 1:52.64.

• 200, 400 freestyle relays: Jay M. Robinson ( Rebecca Stanton, Sydney Kopelic, Brown, Rogers): Bulldogs finished fourth at states in both 200 (1:42.71) and 400 (3:45.94).