CARY — Washington’s boys swim team fell short in repeating as 1-A/2-A regional champions, but still managed to earn a spot at Friday’s state-championship meet in Cary. The Pam Pack (155.5 points) narrowly eclipsed North Davidson (147) to place fifth. Raleigh Charter scored 269.5 to take the east’s crown.

All the boys that competed qualified for the state championship. The Lady Pack finished 23rd and will be sending Claire Shepherd. Darah Cole will also be representing Southside in the 100-yard freestyle.

Relays have typically been a strength for the boys, and this past weekend was no different. Their first event saw the group of Taylor Myers, Patrick Lovenberg, Tristan Pake and Harrison Schmidt place third in the 200-yard medley relay.

Among the best of the Pam Pack’s individual performances was Hodges Tubaugh taking sixth in the 100-yard freestyle. Lovenberg placed sixth in the 100-yard backstroke.

It will be an uphill battle for the Pam Pack to bring home hardware for a second-straight season, but it is a victory in itself for the boys to have earned the right to defend their titles on Friday.