Rosewood, CBA sending swimmers to state finals

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 9, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

CARY -- Regional competition brings out the very best in each athlete.

Several Wayne County swimmers proved that adage during the N.C. High School Athletic Association eastern regional championships contested in the Triangle Aquatic Center pool.

Seven competitors punched their respective tickets to the season-ending N.C. High School Athletic Association state meets, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

East Carolina signee Zach Darden shared the gold medal in the 50-yard freestyle with Raleigh Charter's Zach Lewis. They each touched the wall in 22.15 seconds. Darden returned later in the meet to place second behind Carrboro senior Thomas Bilden in the 100 butterfly.

"They were both OK swims and I know I have some adjustments to make before Friday, however, I still think I'm where I need to be to be successful next weekend," Darden said. "Thomas is a good swimmer. We have swam against each other before and we are both competitive.

"I think we are both going to bring our best on Friday."

Rosewood's 200 medley relay of Dalton Ira, Kodey Silknitter, Wes Chandler and Zach Sumner claimed the final spot -- 12th -- for a berth in the state meet. The foursome posted a time of 2:02.33 seconds -- 21/2 seconds lower than their seeded time.

Ira battled knee pain in the 200 free, but captured the last spot in the grueling, 20-lap 500 free with a time of 5:44.11. He shaved nearly one second off of his seeded time.

Silknitter qualified for two individual events -- the 200 free and 100 back. He ended up 10th in the 200 free with a time of 1:59.56. He placed fourth in the 100 back with a time of 1:00.09 -- a mere .08 seconds out of third place.

"I think Kodey is going to be a force in his backstroke," RHS head coach Natalie Ira said. "Rebecca Fitzmaurice (100 breastroke) was off her best time by than 00.10 seconds but she swam such a great race.

"I'm glad she's a sophomore and will be back for two more years. We have just had a phenomenal season, and have a lot of great underclassmen to help continue the program."

Charles B. Aycock's Zech Chastain emerged as the regional runner-up in the 100 back -- barely a second slower than first-place finisher Connor Blandiford of Corinth-Holders. Chastain ended up among the top four in the 100 free.

"I was very happy with my swims and I can't wait to swim again at states," Chastain said. " couldn't have swam as well as I did if it wasn't for my friends on the freestyle and medley relay, which also came close to making it to state

"They set the place and pumped me up for my upcoming events. I can't describe the feeling of standing on the (medal) podium. Being part of such a talented team with such incredible people was a great experience that I am so thankful for."

Aycock's 200 free relay of Chastain, Chas Hooks, Cody Freels and Charlie Robertson secured ninth place overall. Just two weeks ago, the foursome emerged as the 2015 Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference champions.

Golden Falcon freshman Abby Sauls qualified in the 100 free with an eighth-place time of 58.45.

"I told the kids that they out performed every expectation I could've dreamed of," CBA head coach Linda Chastain said. "I was so proud of all of their swims, and how they all came pumped and ready to compete. Each of them dropped time on each of their swims."