West boys win CPC swimming championship; girls finish third

Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 23, 2020

Connor Greene named co-swimmer of the year as several new records established

By Marc Pruitt
For the Clemmons Courier

The West Forsyth boys swimming team brought home the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference swimming championship last Friday night by holding off Reynolds at the Kernersville YMCA.

The West boys finished with 364.5 points to edge Reynolds, which finished with 354.5.

Connor Greene, who was a double winner in his individual events in the 50 free and the 100 breaststroke, also won two titles as part of relay teams on his way to being named the male swimmer of the year.

Greene was also part of establishing two new conference records, finishing the 50 free in 21.64 seconds to beat the record set by former West star Tucker Burhans in 2018 (21.67).

Greene also teamed up with Alex Valliere, Griffin Watkins and Jake Frieberg to set a new record in the 200 free relay, finishing in 1 minute, 29.68 seconds, breaking the previous record of 1:30.66 that was set by Reagan in 2015.

Teammate Luke Vlahos was also a double winner in his individual events, taking first place in the 100 free and 200 free and swimming legs on the winning 200 medley relay and 400 free relay teams.

Vlahos, Logan McDonald, Valliere, and Greene also set a new school record in the 200 medley relay after winning in 1:37.07.

McDonald also took home first place in the 200 IM and swam a leg on the winning 400 free relay team. He also and had added a runner-up finish in the 100 back.

Leighton Jones finished right behind McDonald in the 200 IM in 2:02.23.

Jonah Greene was the only other individual winner for the Titans, winning the 500 free.

The girls team finished in third place with 271 points, behind Reagan (441) and Reynolds (305).

Scarlett Clevenger, Kelly Smith, Madison McGuinness and Lauren Kranis teamed up to finish second in the 200 medley relay and earn all-conference honors.

Other West swimmers recognized for all-conference performances are:

• McDonald (100 back, 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 400 free relay)

• Valliere (200 medley relay, 50 free, 100 breast, 200 free relay)

• Vlahos (200 medley relay, 200 free, 100 free, 400 free relay)

• C. Greene (200 medley relay, 50 free, 100 breast, 200 free relay)

• Jones (200 IM)

• J. Greene (500 free)

• Watkins (200 free relay, 400 free relay)

• Jake Frieberg (200 free relay, 400 free relay)

“The whole team swam amazing,” said Sandy Thomerson, now in her third year at the helm of the boys and girls teams.

It was the 20th conference swimming title for the Titans, who will now turn their attention to the 4-A West Regional, which will be held at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center on Saturday, February 1.

The NCHSAA 4-A state championships will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, at Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.