The O’Neal School swim team captured its third title in a row at the Cape Fear Independent Conference swimming championship held at the school on Feb. 7.

Swim teams from Cape Fear Academy, Fayetteville Academy, Fayetteville Christian, Village Christian and The O’Neal School came together to battle it out for the conference crown. O’Neal was the reigning CFIC champs for both boys’ and girls’ swimming.

The top finishers for the girls were:

Junior Kendall Field, placing first in her two individual events — 200-meter individual medley and the 100m butterfly. In addition to winning the events, earning all-conference honors, Field also set two new conference records in these events. She currently holds five conference records. 

Eighth-grader Mac Cooper (all-conference) finished first in the 100m breaststroke, earning all-conference honors. She also had a second place finish in the 200m freestyle. 

Senior Abbey Dahl had two second place finishes in the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Eighth-graders Wallace Beeson and Lacia Core both finished third in the 500m freestyle and the 100m backstroke, respectively.

Kierst Doolittle, eighth grade, finished fifth in the 500m freestyle. The Lady Falcons missed senior Molly-Craig Cordell, who was out sick.

Top finishers for the boys were: 

Senior Bennett Westling placed first in his two individual events — 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle. In addition to winning the events and earning all-conference honors, Westling also set two new conference records, breaking his own records in these two events.

Senior Brandt Davis placed first in the 200m freestyle (all-conference) and second in the 500m freestyle. Kevin Duffy, sophomore, placed first in the 500m freestyle (all-conference) and second in the 200m individual medley.

Freshman Eugene Zhang had two second-place finishes in the 100m backstroke and the 100m butterfly.

Sophomore Patrick Wurzel placed second in the 100m butterfly. Sophomore Nathaniel Putnam placed third in the 100m butterfly.

Senior Bryce Baldelli placed third and sixth in the 100m and 50m freestyle, respectively.

The boys’ relay team of Westling, Davis, Duffy and Zhang won both of their relays — the 200m medley and 400m freestyle. They received all-conference honors for each of these races and set new conference records in both events.

The meet came to an end with Westling receiving Conference Boys Swimmer of the Year for the third year in a row. This award is given to the swimmer with the most wins in both individual events and relays.

Coach Owen Herbert received Conference Coach of the Year for the boys’ win. This is his third time receiving this honor.

The swimmers move on to the state swim meet to be held Feb. 21 in Rock Hill, S.C.