By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Riverlands had its work cut out for it entering the final week of the River Parish Swim League’s regular season – matchups with Hill Heights and Larayo projected to be the undefeated Stingrays toughest tests to date.

Monday’s test proved too tough to overcome. The Hurricanes traveled to Riverlands and handed the Stingrays their first loss of the season, 314.5-237.5.

The Hill Heights (4-1) win not only spoiled a potential matchup of undefeated teams to decide a regular season champion on Thursday between Larayo (5-0) and Riverlands (4-1), but also clinched at least a tie for second place for the Hurricanes.

Morgan Rigby, Justin Rigby, Emily Rigby, Katie Waguespack, and Brett Hebert all won three events to lead the Hurricanes to victory.

Kyle Wilking captured three events to lead the Stingrays.

The meet was extremely tight through two strokes. Hill Heights led 55-53 after the freestyle, and extended the lead to 112-104 after the backstroke.

But the Hurricanes started to open up a gap after the breaststroke, where they outscored the Rays 67-40 to run the lead to 179-144. Hill Heights also won the butterfly, and led 230.5-181.5 after the individual strokes.

Effectively needing to totally dominate the relays to keep the undefeated season alive, Riverlands couldn’t pull through. Hill Heights won each event 42-28.

The Stingrays’ Jeffery Cupit, Grace Richoux, Maddie Guidry, and Merryn Guidry each took two events each.

Rounding out the first place finishers for Riverlands were Jack Young, Daniel Jaubert, Jack Chapman, Cody Moore and Kevin Dauenhauer.