The Union Pines swimming program opened its season last week with a 3-A Cape Fear Valley Conference meet at the Campbell University’s Johnson Natatorium in Buies Creek.

Both the Viking boys’ and girls’ teams picked up team victories in their first league competition under new head coach Beth Christensen.

“I’m excited for this opportunity,” said Christensen. “Coach (Carmen) McLamb left behind a phenomenal group of swimmers I am lucky to work with. Both teams are more than ready to continue their streak of greatness, and I have no intention of changing that.

“As I told (athletic director) coach Purvis when he asked me two weeks ago how the team was doing: We’re working hard and I like to win. Luckily, so do the swimmers. I only hope to build upon what their previous coach accomplished.”

Last season both the Union Pines boys and girls won the CFVC championships. In their first meet of the new season, the Vikings hit the water moving. The Vike boys’ claimed a 179-132 victory over second-place Gray’s Creek in the five-school event. Western Harnett rounded out the top three with a tally of 113.

The list of first-place finishers for the Vikings included junior John Moulton (100 yard freestyle), senior Adam Howard (100 backstroke), junior Patrick O’Sullivan (100 breaststroke) and the 200-yard medley relay team of Howard, O’Sullivan, Kyle Metcalf and Moulton, as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay team of O’Sullivan, Eamon McCarthy, Metcalf and Jacob Ovranda.

The Lady Vikings have had a long string of success in the CFVC league the past several years. Their season-opening league meet was no exception as junior Cassidy Fry and freshman Lily Majuri had solid meets to put Union Pines in the winner’s circle with a victorious tally of 226 to best runner-up Western Harnett by 99 points. Southern Lee posted a 94 to place third.

Fry, who enters the season as the two-time defending CFVC 100 back and fly champion, placed first in both events at the meet. Meanwhile, making her Viking swimming debut, Majuri captured wins in the 100 free and the 100 breast. Fry anchored a Union Pines win in the 200 medley relay that included Brooke Dozier, Erin Harding and Ashlyn Owens. The Vike girls also captured a victory in the 400 free relay that included swimmers Bridget Yeager, Kelly Hanhauser, Anna Klemenko and Ann Wiedholz.

“I am lucky to have a good group of returning swimmers to help shape our team and talent,” said Christensen. “The women’s team is fortunate to have strong swimmers in each of the four strokes this year. Our new girls include some experienced swimmers and some newer to the world of competitive swimming. While we have some holes from last year’s graduates, I firmly believe I have swimmers ready to step up to the challenge.

“The men’s team, while slightly smaller, won’t go unnoticed. Returning talent has already proved to be just as strong as before. Our additions include two strong brothers (Gavin and John Moulton) as well as new swimmers with a lot of strength. ”

Union Pines returned to the pool Tuesday back in Buies Creek for the second of five regular-season CFVC swim meets of the year.