Apex won its second title in school history, while Cary and Panther Creek finished second and third respectively. Expect that trio to be among the state's best again this year.

Apex coach Tim Kane's group is led by seniors Hayley Tomlinson (N.C. State recruit), Victoria Tschoke and Hannah Snyder (Towson recruit).

Last year, Tomlinson won the 4A title in the 100 breaststroke and was third in the 200 individual medley. She had all-America times in the 200 medley relay, 400 free relay and 200 IM.

Tschoke, a junior, took third in 4A 100 backstroke and swam on the 200 medley relay.

The Cougars set NCHSAA records in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relays.

Panther Creek returns its top three swimmers: seniors Henriette Stenkvist (Southern California recruit), Kristin Connors (N.C. State recruit) and sophomore Claire Liu.

Stenkvist was co-MVP of last year's 4A championships with all-America winning times in the 100 and 200 freestyles. Connors finished third in the 500 freestyle and was fifth in 200 freestyle. As a freshman, Liu was fourth in the 100 backstroke and a finalist in the breaststroke.

Though Cary lost Victoria Mitchell, Tri-Nine swimmer of the year and co-MVP of the 4A meet with Stenkvist, the Imps return nearly everyone else.

Cary sophomore Basira Knight and senior Sarah Jabusch (Campbell recruit) lead the way for the Imps.

Other standout swimmers in the Tri-Nine include sophomore Hannah Moore of Green Hope - last year's runner-up in the backstroke - and Middle Creek's Nicole Giamber, an N.C. State recruit who finished third in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 IM.

In boys' swimming, Green Hope finished second in the state last season but graduated two important cogs in Dominick Glavich and Seth Connor.

Apex returns Mitch Deforest, a UNC-Chapel Hill recruit who is the defending 500 freestyle champ and took third place in the100 butterfly.

Cary touts UNC-Wilmington recruit Zack Sowers.