RALEIGH – Green Hope’s girls’ swimming and diving team left little to chance Saturday evening, ending a decade-long reign by Enloe in the 4-A East regional championships.

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and cruised to the east championship at the Pullen Aquatic Center in Raleigh. They posted a two-day total of 296 points — 45.5 more than second-place Leesville Road.

“They swam crazy,” Green Hope coach Jim Swartz said of his team. “They did everything they needed to this morning to put us in the best position, and then they swam even better tonight. Everybody was great for us.”

Despite his team’s success this season and its recent conference title, Swartz was a little surprised with how easily his team won the regional championship.

“Chances of this happening a week and a half ago were remote,” he said. “But the girls were really strong and they really picked it up.”

Cary’s Torrey Bussey and Panther Creek’s Henriette Stenkvist enjoyed similar individual success in the women’s competition as their teams came in fifth and fourth respectively.

Bussey captured championships in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Neither victory came in particularly dramatic fashion for the junior, who won the 100 breaststroke by nearly two seconds.

“I’m happy with how I swam,” she said. “I came in hoping to do well and I did. My confidence is definitely up right now.”

For Stenkvist it was her first attempt at a regional meet, but the results certainly didn’t reflect her lack of experience. The freshman cruised to two individual titles, winning the 100 backstroke by a second and the 200 freestyle by nearly four.

“I did pretty well,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting to do as good as I did. So I’m really excited.”

On the men’s side, the Falcons came home fourth, led by Dominick Glavich who won both the 100 butterfly and breaststroke. Bryant Wooten’s title in 1m diving was Green Hope’s only other individual men’s title.

Athens Drive’s Andy Lamb had a big day as well. The University of Utah-bound senior won gold in the 50 and the 100 yard freestyle, narrowly edging out Middle Creek’s Michael Williams in both events.

“I swam pretty well,” Lamb said. “I didn’t set any personal bests, but I did fairly well for this time of year.”

Lamb’s coach was not quite as modest in describing his star’s performance.

“He was fantastic,” Jaguars coach Mike Morey said. “And he’ll be even better at states next weekend.”

With the top eight finishers in each event qualifying for this weekend’s state meet, the area will be well represented. Numerous local swimmers and divers will compete individually along with 24 relay teams in six different events.