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Winter climate might have worn out elements of North Carolina’s highschool swim calendar, however the Ashley boys’ group didn’t want additional motivation.
The Screaming Eagles surged to a Carolina Coast Conference championship on Jan. 23, changing into the primary program in addition to Hoggard to assert a league title because the convention was renamed. Hoggard dominated the autumn season, successful each accessible convention title whereas securing one other league crown within the pool on the women facet this season.
That momentum carried by a chaotic stretch statewide. On Jan. 29, the NCHSAA canceled the highschool swim and dive regionals as a result of extreme winter climate, advancing all regional qualifiers on to the state meet, now scheduled for Feb. 11-13
Technically, this was not Ashley’s first league title lately. After snowfall blanketed the Wilmington space in 2025, convention championships have been canceled, and the Screaming Eagles have been named league champions by default on the boys facet. This time, there was no ambiguity.
Ashley piled up 343 factors, ending greater than 30 factors away from second place to safe an official convention championship on Jan. 23.
“Everything worked out perfectly for us to win the conference this year,” Ashley senior Ryker Eder mentioned. “Having to really step up, it was really exciting for all of us.”
Eder has been on the middle of Ashley’s success all winter, logging at the very least 10 first-place finishes. At the convention meet, he captured titles within the 100-yard breaststroke and butterfly.
The Salisbury signee expects that momentum to hold over to the NCHSAA 7A state championship, each for himself and his teammates.
Another key piece has been senior Bryson Edwards, whose path again to the highest has been removed from easy.
During his sophomore season, Edwards injured a disc in his again whereas deadlifting. Though it didn’t absolutely rupture, the damage stalled his growth and left him coping with day by day ache for months. At one level, he was pressured to desert the butterfly totally due to the pressure it placed on his again.
“I had enough pain consistently that walking around was painful,” he mentioned. “I assumed if I can not do that, how am I going to have the ability to swim?”
There have been stretches when Edwards questioned if he would ever return to type. He described moments when “negative thoughts” crept in, but steady support from his coaches, parents, and doctors helped guide him through the worst of it.
Nearly two years later, Edwards is back on top, winning conference titles in the 100 backstroke and the 200 individual medley relay.
“It was just about trying to keep myself from thinking negatively about (the injury) and looking on the bright side that once I come out of this, I’ll be stronger.”
With state races approaching, Ashley nonetheless has targets forward. No matter what occurs subsequent, the Screaming Eagles already know this season has left a mark.
“The most important part isn’t the conference victories or anything like that,” Eder said. “Ashley practices are as fun as it gets. Obviously we’re working hard, but just being able to see an atmosphere of such enjoyment in the sport … it’s so cool.”
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