By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

Riverlands surged ahead early and never relented on Thursday night as it topped visiting Sun Villa, 371-180.

Merryn Guidry, Kyle Wilking, and Wesley Melancon all captured three first place finishes to lead the Stingrays to their third win in as many meets.

Riverlands remains a half game behind LARAYO (4-0) for the River Parish Swim League lead.

“The best things to me so far have come from the kids I wouldn’t have expected it from,” said Riverlands coach Carla Lambert. “Everyone is doing really well and stepping it up. We’re getting a lot of extra points because of it.”

The Stingrays peaked early and never looked back, outscoring Sun Villa 71-37 in the freestyle event and 73-34 in the backstroke, doubling up the Sharks. The lead increased to 259-152 after all individual events were completed.

Riverlands finished by winning 16 of the 20 relay events to push ahead to its final victory margin.

Lambert said that she was pleased with the win, but with 2008 league runner-up Hill Heights on the horizon this week, she wants to see a hungrier team.

“I think everyone has to step it up just a little more for Thursday night,” Lambert said.

Maddie Guidry, Andre St. Martin, and Lauren St. Martin each captured two first place finishes each at the meet for Riverlands.

Thomas Chapman, Jack Chapman, Anna Guidry, Jordan St. Pierre, Shelbi St. Pierre, Daniel Jaubert, Stevie Noyes, Lane Gendron, Gabrielle Montz, Brian Comiskey and Courtney Frederick rounded out the Stingrays’ first place winners.

Chase Ferguson, Jessie LeBoeuf, Jenae Naquin, Peyton Steib, Allie Buckwalter, Riley Naquin, Ryan Dupont, Clay Martin, Karleigh Landry, and Nathan Schexnayder were all first place winners for Sun Villa.