By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

For LARAYO, another season of River Parish Swim League competition means another chance to defend the championship crown it’s dominated for the past decade.

Monday night proved to be a good start for the Barracudas, who went on the road to best host LaVacherie, 366-179.

LaVacherie finished in a league tie for second place with Riverlands a year ago.

“I was very happy with the way we performed,” said LARAYO coach Michelle Jensen. “We shuffled some people in and out with softball and girls coming in later, but we put together a good performance. Everyone did well.”

Matthew Schexnayder, Joshua Tamplain, Emily Schexnayder, Paige Williams and Maggie Trepagnier each won all three of their individual events to pace the Barracudas.

Blakely Heltz, Josh Vicknair, Will East and Austin Matherne each captured two events.

Carter Cortez, Alyssa Hooge, Luke Brouwer, Ben Schiff, Jordan Jensen, Alex East, Gavin Babish, Justin Dubose, Jacob Jensen and Ben East round out LARAYO winners.

LaVacherie stayed close after the freestyle event, LARAYO outpacing it 60-48. But the Barracudas sped away with strong performances in the breaststroke and butterfly events, leading 254-151 prior to the relays, effectively sealing victory.

Jensen said that when it comes to early season meets, much of the concentration goes toward teaching younger swimmers and helping them become technically sound, as well as learning which event her individual swimmers can thrive in.

“There’s some trial and error as far as who to place where,” Jensen said. “Some really excel at some strokes more than others.

“When these meets come, you see some of them really come up with a strong time that they didn’t hit in the time trials. Some of them really do their best in live competition.”

Full individual LARAYO results from Monday will be in Wednesday’s edition of L’Observateur.