Wyatte Copeland has been grinding away for four years, pushing toward all-conference and hoping to get there before time runs out. He got there Friday at Winston-Salem State University in the Central Piedmont Conference championship meet.

Talk about closing the CPC chapter of his swimming career in style. The top-two finishers in each event earned all-conference honors, and the Davie senior captured second in the 50-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of 22.51 seconds. The winner from West Forsyth went 22.11.

“He has been trying to get his 50 free time below a 23 since last year, so I was really proud that he was able to do that his senior year and make all-conference,” coach Jennie Kimel said. “There was no doubt in my mind he could do it, but I knew he would have to go a 22 to make all-conference. I hope he will be able to place in the top eight at regionals so that he can go to states. I know this is a goal of his, and I would love to see him accomplish that goal his senior year.”

Copeland’s gratifying night included a third-place effort in the 100-yard free. He turned in another personal-best time, 49.59.

“I’ve seen Wyatte grow as a swimmer since he was a freshman when I first started helping out the swim team, and it was really rewarding to see four years of hard work pay off for him,” Kimel said. “Placing third in the 100 was just as sweet as him placing second in the 50. He has been trying to break 50 seconds in the 100 free his whole career, so watching him be able to do that at his last (CPC) meet was really rewarding.”

While Copeland was the highlight for the Davie boys, the top performer for the lady War Eagles was a sophomore. Alexa Hutton seized third in the 100-yard free with a season-best 57.33. Although she just missed making all-conference, it was an impressive showing as Hutton finished behind two swimmers from juggernaut Reagan.

“Alexa is a great swimmer and she has great things ahead of her,” Kimel said. “Placing third as a sophomore is a huge deal, especially in our conference with some of the fastest teams in our region. She was really excited about her finish. As soon as she touched the wall and saw her time, I knew she would be pleased.

“She went 57.31 last year, so I know she would love to see her time drop below that and get a career-best time before the season’s over.”

Junior Victoria Sinopoli finished fourth in the 200-yard IM. Sinopoli, senior Katie Shoaf, freshman Riley White and Hutton were fourth in the 200-yard free relay. Fifth places went to Hutton in the 50 free, Shoaf  in the 100 butterfly and Sinopoli in the 100 backstroke. Sinopoli, Shoaf, White and Hutton were fifth in the 400 free relay.

For the Davie boys, senior Hunter Thurlo was sixth in the 500 free. Sophomore Micah Little, sophomore Mikhail Harris, Thurlo and Copeland were sixth in the 200 free relay.

There was not much to celebrate in the team scoring as both Davie teams finished sixth out of seven.

In the girls’ meet, Reagan ran away with the title, scoring 476 points to West Forsyth’s 304.5, Mt. Tabor’s 223, Reynolds’ 185, North Davidson’s 172.5, Davie’s 116 and Parkland’s 97.

Reagan was dominant on the boys’ side, too, scoring 479 points. Reynolds had 322.5, Tabor 268, W. Forsyth 246.5, N. Davidson 118, Davie 113 and Parkland 83.