Despite going up against some well-established teams and a Group AAA school, the Prince Edward County High School swim teams have managed to hold their own over the last few weeks.

Two weeks ago, the Eagles traveled to Richmond to swim against some of the top private school programs in the state. The boys team faired well, only being defeated by Collegiate. The Eagles managed victories over Benedictine (67-51), St. Anne's Belfield (73-27) and The Steward School (73-27).

The girls team lost to Collegiate St. Anney's, St. Gertrude and Steward.

Top finishers for the PE boys team were sophomore Bobby Burke who was fourth in the 100 butterfly and second in the 200 freestyle. The team of Burke, Joe Gillis, West Bogese and Austin finished second in the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.

Kenzie Brastow finished second for the girls in the 100 backstroke.

Both teams traveled to Bedford on December 9. for a meet against Liberty High School. Both teams were victorious.

Bogese continued to take time off the school record by winning the 100 Breaststroke event in a time of 1:12.46. Burke won all four events he swam while Gills and Bogese were triple winners. Bailey won two events and set two personal best times in the 50 free (24.60) and the 100 Butterfly (1:01.37).

The girl's team was led by Allison Dalton and Eve Bowman who each won three events. Karol Crisostomo won two events, and Synsorae Jackson and Libbie Reed each had one victory.

On December 14, both teams traveled to Halifax. The boy's swim team continued their winning ways by defeating AAA Halifax and GW Danville at the South Boston YMCA.

The boys improved their record to 7-1. Burke (200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay, 50 Free, and 100 Free) and Gills (200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 400 Free, and 400 Free Relay) both had four wins for the team.

Bailey and Bogese had three victories and Liam Burke had two. The 200 Free Style relay team of Bailey, Bogese, Liam Burke and Bobby Burke set a new school record with a time of 1:39.77, which is within two seconds of making the state cut time. This year's boy's swim team has now completed a sweep of all relay event records for the school which are the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, and the 400 Freestyle relay. In the 200 Medley and 400 Free Joe Gills replaces Liam Burke.

Also, Bobby Burke made the state cut time in the 50 yard Freestyle with a time of 23.53 and will compete in the state meet in Christiansburg in February.

So far this year the girls team has set five top six school records. The boys team has set eighteen top six school records which includes the three relay events.

Both teams will travel back to Halifax on January 6.

– The Herald thanks PECHS head swim coach Bruce Bogese for his correspondence