On Friday, January 25, the Cougars competed at their conference swim meet. Both the men and women’s teams placed second overall. They trailed behind the Apex Friendship Patriots, a strong competitor. The women’s team has taken home the title of SWAC Champions the last three consecutive years, so they were especially hopeful for a win.

The Apex men’s team scored 372 points. Teams ordered from first to last include: Apex Friendship (468), Apex (372), Holly Springs (326), Middle Creek (272), Fuquay Varina (166), Garner (70), and South Garner (25).

The women’s team ranked second place as well, scoring 550 points.Team rankings ordered from first to last include: Apex Friendship (567), Apex (550), Holly Springs (221), Middle Creek (200), Fuquay Varina (129), and Garner (95).

Although the teams didn’t take first like they were hoping for, Coach Kevin Maksinchuk and captains Addie Stine and Cady Robison still had something to say about it.

Coach Kevin Maksinchuk

Q: What is your favorite event to cheer for?

A: They’re all good, but I like watching relays the most because they’re more exciting than individual events and more people are involved.

Q: What is the best part about coaching?

A: Watching people get their best times and having big smiles at the end of races.

Q: What is the most stressful part about the swim meets?

A: The most stressful part about the meets is wondering if I put the best lineup together and hoping that I prepared the team well enough.

Cady Robison

Q: What is your favorite event to swim?

A: The 50-yard freestyle.

Q: What is your favorite memory?

A: The first day of tryouts during my freshman year was really difficult. I was upset, and I didn’t want to go back for the second day, but my mom made me persevere. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be on the team these four years because it’s been so much fun, and I’ve made friends.

Q: What are you going to miss the most?

A: I’m going to miss the cheer that we do at the beginning of our swim meets. It’s so much fun to cheer for everybody because we are all just yelling.

Addie Stine

Q: What is your favorite event?

A: The 100-yard backstroke.

Q: What are you going to miss the most?

A: I’ll miss the swim meets and being with friends and cheering for everybody.

Swimmers who met timed cuts for their event will be competing at the 2019 4A East NCHSSA Regional Championships. Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, NC will be hosting this event on Saturday, February 2. The meet is scheduled to start around 6 p.m.

Good luck to these Cougars!