In athletic circles, the River Bluff swimming program has flowed under the radar. Patrons of “The Swamp”, however, are not oblivious to the boys and girls teams’ success. The boys have won four of five region titles since its inception six years ago under head coach Meredith Shirk. The girls team, currently coached by Anne Suarez, are 5-time region champions and have yet to ever lose a regular-season meet. “We have been very fortunate to not have to do a lot of recruiting,” Shirk said. “The kids and program speak for themselves. Despite practicing at 5:15 am (at Topspin Swim Club), we’ve never been short swimmers or talent. Our kids work extremely hard not only during high school season but also year round at the multiple year round teams around the Midlands. “The kids not only continue to perform well but generally have a great attitude and have a lot of fun.” This season, both teams were off to a 8-0 start heading into the 20th annual Dam Swim for Drew this past weekend. Jack Roddey placed second and Coleman Campbell was fifth overall for the boys and Megan Stryner and Anneliese Rypkema were third and fifth, respectively, for the girls. The two mile open water swim meet co-hosted by Lexington & River Bluff High School is designed to promote boating & swimming safety in memory of Drew Smith. The list of top team performers this season include Katie Horan (100 Butterfly and 50 and 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke), Strynar (200 and 400 Freestyle), Rypkema (200 IM and 100 Breaststroke), Emma Scott (100 Flystroke and 200 Freestroke) for the girls and Roddey (400 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle), Campbell (200 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly and 100 Freestyle) John Nickles (50 and 100 Freestyle) and Bailey Eichorn (50 and 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke) for the boys. The teams have four more meets, the next two on the road, before the region meet on Sept. 29 and the state meet Oct. 6 at the University of South Carolina Natatorium. “We have placed extremely well at state each year,” Shirk said. “It’s tough to determine our highest rank because as the school has grown we have moved into different regions and different divisions. Our girls have been region champions for five years and are hoping to continue that streak this year. Our boys have won region 4 out of the 5 seasons of RB swimming.

VOLLEYBALL

Sept. 4 matches

Batesburg-Leesville 3, Pelion 0 (25-19, 25-22, 27-25) Madison Nicholson and McKenna Smith both had seven aces for the Lady Panthers of Pelion.

Gilbert 3, Swansea 0 (25-7, 25-20, 25-16)

Courtney Price had 12 kills, Hannah McDowell had 36 assists and four aces, Chidera Wilson had eight kills and Carlee Jones finished with six kills as the Lady Indians (7-0, 1-0) won their Region 5-3A opener.

Sept. 6 results Lexington 2, Porter-Gaud 0 (25-16, 26-24)

Senior Maggie Salley had seven kills and a block in the first of a tri-match against Charleston schools played at River Bluff High School.

Lexington 2, Ashley Hall 1 (25-23, 24-26, 25-16)

The Lady Wildcats improved to 13-4 entering Region 5-5A play Tuesday at White Knoll.

Pelion 3, Edisto 1 (25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 25-16)

Kaleigh Spires had 39 digs, Madison Nicholson finished with 26 assists and 12 kills and McKeena Smith had 14 kills and eight aces in the Lady Panthers’ first region win.

Chapin 3, Gilbert 2 (25-23, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16, 15-9)

Courtney Price had 20 kills, Chidera Wilson added 12 kills and Hannah Mc-Dowell finished with 10 kills, 50 assists and 10 digs as the Lady Indians (7-1, 1-0) suffered their first loss of the season. Gilbert plays host to Edisto Thursday and will compete in the Battle of the Bluff tournament at River Bluff High School Saturday.

River Bluff 2, Ashley Hall 0 (25-9, 25-11)

TENNIS

Sept. 5 scores Lexington 6, Irmo 0 SINGLES

Becca Bryan (L) def. Kiya Davis 5-7, 6-2, 10-7 Emmie Thompson (L) def. Lydia Johnson 6-0, 6-1 Reet Verma (L) def. Mikaili Gillard

d. 6-2, 6-0 Rohita Patil (L) def. Simya Levine 6-2, 6-0 Leanna Kim (L) def. Erin Thomas 6-0, 6-0

DOUBLES

Gracen Thompson & Ashlynn Dorrah (L) def. Saanvi Cherukumalli & Olivia Jackson 6-2, 6-4

Sept. 6 scores Spring Valley 4, Lexington 3 SINGLES

Crawford Latham (SV) def. Becca Bryan (L) 6-0, 6-0 Kate McMillin (SV) def. Emmie Thompson (L) 6-3, 6-4 Reet Verma (L) def. Pallavi Rao (SV) 4-6, 6-4, 10-7 Caroline Goodman (L) def. Allie Wierzbowski (SV) 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 Emma Whetsell (L) d. Na’ama Hoffman (SV) 4-6, 7-6, 10-5

DOUBLES

Taylor Williams & Summer Gayles (SV) def. Rohita Patil & Emma Taylor (L) 6-3, 4-6 Crawford Latham & Kate McMillin (SV) def. Becca Bryan & Emmie Thompson 6-2, 6-2

GOLF

Sept. 6 scores Gilbert 169, Chapin 181

Kennedy Gooding led the Lady Indians with a low score of 39, followed by Ally Moss (40), Alexis Hodge (43) and Meredith Price 46. The low score for Chapin was Emily Baker (40).

Sept. 5 scores Lexington 147, Cardinal Newman 174, A.C. Flora 176

Molly Hardwick had a low score of 34 to lead the Lady Wildcats to a trimatch win at the Country Club of Lexington. Isabella Rawk finished with a 35, followed by teammates Karlee Vardas

(39), Bella Bernagozzi (39) and Ellie Hardwick (55).