Green Hope's boys and girls teams each won Tri-Nine titles, each doing so in wire-to-wire fashion. The Falcon boys repeated last year's conference title with a dominating total of 609.5 points -- almost 200 points higher than the next-closest team (Panther Creek).

The Green Hope girls team maintained a lead throughout, though Panther Creek was down just eight points with two events to go. The Falcons ended the meet with 457 points while PC had 439. Defending 4A state champion Apex was third with 366.

Boys: The final medal presentation of the Tri-Nine swim meet provided a good indicator of why the Green Hope boys had such a strong day.

The Falcons' top relay team went to the stage as the second-place team. The only team to top them? The Falcons' "B-team."

"We have a really strong team and really good depth," said Green Hope coach Richard Wesendunk. "As I went through the day, I felt more and more confident."

Although Green Hope was second in the state last year, the Falcons lost two college-bound standouts in Dominick Glavich (UNC) and Seth Connors (Navy). But everyone else was returning, and some talented freshmen were on their way.

"I feel like we've gained more than what we lost, and it's really good," said Green Hope swimmer Alex Mathews.

Mathews, along with fellow seniors Ben Miller of Middle Creek and Mitch DeForest of Apex, were named co-MVPs for the conference after each swimmer won two individual races at the Tri-Nine meet.

Mathews, who won in the 50 freestyle (22.15) and the 100 (48.53) was also a part of the Falcons' winning 200 medley relay. DeForest -- who won the 200 IM (1:54.14) and 100 backstroke (53.02) -- helped the Cougars to a win in the 200 freestyle relay as well. Miller collected wins in the 200 freestyle (1:45.04) and 500 free (4:43.71).

Cary's Zack Sowers won the 100 butterfly, while Green Hope's Ryan Cade took the 100 breaststroke.

On Friday, the conference held its diving competition at N.C. State and Anthony Galante of Athens Drive won.

Girls: The final event -- the 400 freestyle relay -- provided the girls meet with some intrigue as Panther Creek was within striking distance of Green Hope.

But the Lady Falcons had its top two relay teams take second and fifth, which was enough to offset Panther Creek's win and sixth-place finish in the same event and preserve the win.

Green Hope had just one individual winner - sophomore Hannah Moore took the 500 free (4:59.49). But once again, team depth came up big for the Falcons.

"They really demonstrated their superiority by swimming so well at the end," said Wesendunk.

Panther Creek's Henriette Stenkvist -- a Southern Cal recruit who could be competing in this summer's Olympics for the Swedish national team -- and Apex's Hayley Tomlinson, an N.C. State recruit, were co-conference MVPs.

PC had individual wins from N.C. State recruit Kristin Connors (200 freestyle), Haley Bishop (50 free, 100 butterfly) and Stenkvist (100 free, 100 backstroke). Tomlinson won the 200 IM (2:08.80) and 100 breaststroke (1:06.30).

Green Hope won the 200 medley relay while Panther Creek took the 200 freestyle relay.

On Friday, Middle Creek's Madeline Martin won the Tri-Nine diving competition.