RAEFORD — Recording its season-best overall score, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ swimming team competed in its second meet of the season on Wednesday.
Back in the pool at the James A. Leach Aquatic Center, the Lady Raiders added nine points from last week in a fifth-place finish with 39 points.
Junior swimmers Nelly Cadena (7) and Alivia Webb (9) both recorded season-high individual point totals, while the bulk of Richmond’s points came in one relay race.
Across two events, Webb secured nine points and Cadena had seven points. The Lady Raiders added 22 points in the 200-yard freestyle relay.
“This was another strong meet for the girls’ team,” head coach Andy Shuler said. “Aliva and Nelly continued to be strong point earners and they were able to add an event this week which helped us out.
“We switched up the lineup in the relay a little bit and we were able to get our fastest time this season,” he continued. “Since we have a relatively young team, it’s all about the experience and getting better each week.”
Five of the six teams competing were members of the Sandhills Athletic Conference, with Pinecrest High School winning its second straight meet (299 points).
The second through fourth place teams were SAC members — Union Pines (239), Scotland (118) and Hoke County (50). Non-conference Montgomery Central finished sixth (29).
In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Cadena, Webb and sophomore Presley Dawkins swam the event for the second week in a row. The new addition was junior Jada Roberts in the second leg.
The four Lady Raiders posted a season-best time of 2:30.47, nearly a full three seconds faster than in the season-opening meet. Cadena swam the first leg, followed by Roberts, Dawkins and Webb at anchor, as the team took fourth place.
Cadena and Webb were responsible for the remaining 16 points, all coming in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events. Both swimmers added the open 100 to their regimen in week two.
Webb recorded new personal records in both events. She placed ninth in the 50-yard race (33.47 seconds), which was 1.91 seconds faster than her time a week ago.
In the 100-yard swim, her first ever attempt in the event, Webb notched eighth overall (1:34.79).
Cadena placed ninth and 10th, respectively, in the 100 and 50-yard races for her points. Her time in the open 100 was 1:41.87 and she swam the 50-yarder in 36.87 seconds.
Three of the four Lady Raiders who swam an exhibition heat in the 50-yard event recorded new PRs — Dawkins (36.45), sophomore Emma Humann (44.29) and senior Caroline Hunsucker (48.20).
Junior Samantha Barnes, freshman Sulleigh Bruce, senior Evie Howell and freshman Natalie Richardson swam an exhibition race in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The four swimmers finished in 2:48.82.
Through two meets this season, the Lady Raiders have placed fifth both times. They’ll look to leapfrog the standings next Wednesday in a meet hosted by Richmond.
Events are set to begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Leach Aquatic Center.