2015-16 Charlotte Observer Swimming Preview

Charlotte Observer Girls’ Swimmers to Watch

Erika Brown, Hough, Sr.: University of Tennessee commit back to lead Huskies, defend her 4A, 200 freestyle state title for a team loaded with talent, also including Jessica Merritt (Auburn commit) and Megan DuPay (University of North Carolina commit) and Albury Higgs (University of South Carolina commit).

Erin McCullagh, Charlotte Catholic, Jr.: The younger sister of three-time, Charlotte Observer swimmer of the year, 13-time state champion, Nora McCullagh (now swimming at Texas) gets the daunting task of trying to carry on the family’s championship tradition on another talented, Cougar squad with standouts, Mariel Green and Julia Menkhaus.

Caroline Hauder, Marvin Ridge, Jr.: 3A state championship MVP back to defend her 100 backstroke, breaststroke titles (3A), while helping her team to a three-peat.

Alyssa Marsh, Pine Lake Prep, Sr.: 1A-2A state champion in both the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle. Five-time, NCHSAA 1A-2A state champion, Duke signee has already qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, where she could be potential swim one day for her father, U.S. Olympic swimming coach, David Marsh.

Lexi Souther, Parkwood, Sr.: University of Alabama commit looks to defend her 3A state title in the

Carolyn Kammeyer, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: Notre Dame commit was 4A state runner-up in the 100 backstroke and looks to finish on top.

Charlotte Observer Girls’ Swim Teams to Watch

Charlotte Catholic: The Cougar girls’ go for their unprecedented, 15th straight state championship this season, but it won’t be easy in a brutal, 4A class race.

Hough: The Huskies have been right on Catholic’s heels the last two seasons (4A state runner-up each time), and want nothing more than to earn the state’s top spot.

Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks dominated the 3A state meet last year, winning by 126 points, and have a loaded lineup back, led by Hauder and senior, Alex Bonfilio, to go for their third consecutive state title.

Charlotte Latin: The Latin girls’ are also a state contender (finished 3rd in the state last year) and have the talent to make a run led by all-state junior, Elizabeth Lancaster.

Pine Lake Prep: With Alyssa Marsh leading the way, the Pride girls will have a chance to contend after a 1A-2A state runner-up finish a year ago.

Charlotte Observer Boys’ Swimmers to Watch

Ikenna Eruchalu, Charlotte Latin, Jr.: Defending CISAA conference, NCISAA 3A state champion in both 100 butterfly, 100 back as a sophomore, and is back for more.

Jeffrey Murray, Marvin Ridge, Jr.: Maverick standout has won a conference, county and regional title, but looks to add a state championship to his resume, after finishing third in the 100 butterfly as a sophomore.

Nathan Murray, South Mecklenburg, Sr.: 4A state runner-up in 100 backstroke; also qualified for 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in 100 backstroke. University of Tennessee commit hopes to cap his career with an individual, 4A state title while helping his Sabres’ team repeat as state champions as well.

Jacob Rauch, South Mecklenburg, So.: 4A state runner-up in 100 breaststroke, part of a loaded, Sabre team along with seniors, Noah Cahan, Graham Cooper, Murray, Weaver and more.

Nick Spina, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: Villanova commit is a versatile swimmer who contributes in multiple events, including relays.

Graham Weaver, South Mecklenburg, Sr.: 3rd at states in both 50 and 100 freestyle; Senior national swimmer also boasts a 5.17 grade-point average in the classroom. University of North Carolina commit also looks to contend in state’s two fastest events (50 and 100 freestyle) while helping his team to back-to-back state titles.

Andrew VanWingerden, Cannon School, Sr.: Cougars’ team captain excels in the fastest races as the defending, NCISAA 3A state champion in 100 freestyle, runner-up in 50 free.

Charlotte Observer Boys’ Swim Teams to Watch

South Mecklenburg: The Sabres won their first title since 1989 last year, have most of their same team back in place to go for a repeat performance.

Charlotte Latin: The Hawks have won three straight, NCISAA 3A state titles, and have the talent in Jackson Dickey, Eruchalu, James Hardy to make it a four-peat.

Ardrey Kell: The Knights have become a perennial, 4A contender in one of the state’s most brutal conferences with Charlotte Catholic, Providence and South Mecklenburg.

Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks boys are eager to match the Marvin Ridge girls with a 3A state championship of their own, and have the talent to do so with junior, Jeffrey Murray, leading the way.

Concord: The Spiders also hope to contend for a 3A title, and have an experienced team led by senior, reigning South Piedmont conference swimmer of the year, Sam Jones.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 2:05 PM with the headline "2015-16 Charlotte Observer Swimming Preview."