Lily Terwilliger CFNN Reporter

On Friday, the Colts competed for state qualifications at regionals in Greensboro. Cape Fear finished 11th with a total of 63 points, finishing above their conference competitors Terry Sanford and Gray’s Creek. The boys were successful in securing their spots to compete at states.

First up in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, Jackson Autry, Hudson McFayden, Jed Coon, and Jake Grownowski placed 12th with a time of 2:05.49. 

In the 200 Yard Freestyle Jackson Autry placed 20th with a time of 2:27.69.

Next up in the 200 Yard IM, Seth Thomas finished 20th with a time of 2:37.78.

In the 50 Yard Freestyle Ethan Smith finished 19th, tying with a competitor, with a time of 25.34, while his teammate Nick Shook finished .4 seconds behind him in 21st with a time of 25.38.

In the 100 Yard Butterfly Vini Estrada-Zerhoudi finished 8th, qualifying for states, with a personal record (PR) of 1:02.18. 

“Even though compared to the top 8, I am not the best, I am happy to have qualified and have the opportunity to compete against the best at states to better myself,” said Estrada-Zerhoudi.

In the 100 Yard Freestyle Freshman Nick Shook finished 19th with a PR of 58.24.

In the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay Vini Estrada-Zerhoudi, Seth Thomas, Nick Shook, and Ethan Smith finished 12th with a PR of 1:43.13.

In the 100 Yard Backstroke Vini Estrada-Zerhoudi and Jackson Autry finished 13th and 15th respectively. Estrada-Zerhoudi finished with a time of 1:11.19. Autry finished with a PR of 1:11.59.

In the 100 Yard Breaststroke Hudson McFayden finished 15th with a PR of 1:15.98. 

“Finishing with a PR in this race was a great way to end the season,” said McFayden. “I’ve pushed myself a lot and to see how far I’ve come this year is going to motivate me to do even better next year.”

In the highly anticipated 400 Yard Freestyle Relay Vini Estrada-Zerhoudi, Nick Shook, Seth Thomas, and Ethan Smith finished 7th qualifying for states with a PR of 3:51.98. 

“I could not have asked for a better senior year. It was so amazing to see so many of my teammates at regionals I could not be prouder as a captain. How it felt to look up at my relay team’s time and realize that we were going to states is something I will not forget anytime soon,” said senior Seth Thomas. “The competitive atmosphere and the spirit of my teammates made this year’s regional meet my favorite one yet.”

Come support the Colts as Vini Estrada-Zerhoudi and the 400 Freestyle Relay team takes on States this Saturday at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary at 7:00 am.