Then in 2004, Lochmere lost the title to Prestonwood in a controversial finish. The meet was suspended because of inclement weather with the Piranhas in the lead.

Last year, Prestonwood repeated as champion, winning by a mere seven and a half points.

Coach Lisa Davis is in her sixth year with Lochmere and understands the importance of the Cary City Invitational, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday at Scottish Hills.

“It’s our championship meet,” Davis said. “We get our kids really pumped up for it and traditionally it’s our fastest meet.”

Usually, the Cary City Invitational is the last meet of the season. This year, though, Lochmere and Prestonwood go head-to-head in a regular season-ending Tarheel Swimming Associatiom meet on July 18.

“We should start charging admission for this kind of thing,” Davis said.

Davis also has a very optimistic outlook about the upcoming Invitational. She believes that Lochmere has a clear advantage because of its size.

“Obviously, depth is our strength. We have 400 kids,” Davis said. “We want to try and bring as many of them as we can.” Lochmere will bring 192 swimmers to the meet, followed by Prestonwood with 160 and host Scottish Hills with 127. Triangle will bring the fourth largest contingent with 97.

For some Lochmere swimmers, including coach Davis’ 18-year-old sister, Kimmy, this will be the last of many Cary City Invitationals competed in over the years.

Kimmy Davis is a former Athens Drive High standout who holds three NCHSAA 4-A records and who swam at North Carolina last year.

“I would love to go out on top since it’s my last year,” Kimmy Davis said. “We lost by seven points last year and that was a crusher.”

While Kimmy Davis is very competitive, it’s the fun aspect of swimming that keeps her going in the summer.

“For me, it’s not as important time-wise,” she said. “Swimming at UNC is on a different level, but it’s fun to come out and race against the neighborhood kids who you haven’t seen in a while.”

Clayton Thomas and John French, both 16, have been swimming for Lochmere since childhood and realize the importance of winning back the Cary City Invitational title.

“Cary City is always the motivation factor,” said Thomas, a rising senior at Enloe High. “It’s the point to which the season is really geared towards.”

Both swimmers remember the streak and hope to start a new one.

“It’s our responsibility to carry on the dynasty for the younger swimmers,” said French, a rising junior at Athens Drive. “There’s a lot more pressure to do well.”

Through it all, however, Thomas and French both emphasized having fun as the most important thing.

“Having fun has always been my first priority,” French said. “Doing well is just an added bonus.”