The Orange swimming relay team of Katie Belle Sikes, Riley White, Ainsley Rasinske and Piper White made history during the 3A State Swimming Championships on Saturday at the Triangle Aquatic Center. They became the first relay team in Orange County history to win a state championship. In one of the tightest races of the event, Orange held off Northwest Cabarrus to win the 200 yard freestyle relay. Riley White opened and put the Lady Panthers in the lead with a lap of 24.90 seconds. Piper White followed with a 26-second lap. Rasinske, a freshman, kept Orange near the lead. Sikes swam the anchor leg in 22.65 seconds. Orange finished with a time of 1:41.04, edging Northwest Cabarrus’ time of 1:42.42. White, Rasinske, White and Sikes also won the 3A Central Regional championship and the Central Carolina Conference championship together. The group nearly won a second state championship at the beginning of the event. White, Rasinske, White and Sikes finished 2nd in the 200 yard medley relay. Central Cabarrus finished first. White, Rasinske, White and Sikes will all return next season for their senior year looking to repeat as State Champions, but their mark in Orange swimming history is permanently marked in stone.
Fabulous accomplishment ladies! Thanks for the coverage, Jeff!