Clayton qualifies two relays for states

CARY -- Clayton High School will send two of its boys’ relay teams to the Class 4-A state meet next weekend.

The Comets’ 200-yard freestyle relay team and the 400 free relay squad each placed seventh during the Class 4-A Eastern Regional at Triangle Aquatic Center Saturday morning.

The 200 free relay, made up of Johann Quintero, Brett Bailey, Nolan Quinn and Austin Fentress, finished with a time of 1:33.09, while the 400 free relay quartet – made up of Bailey, Quinn, Fentress and Alex Simpson – posted a time of 3:27.63.

CHS coach Marty Ringgold said he believes it’s the first time the Comets have sent two relays to states. CHS sent one relay team to states four years ago, he added.

Simpson was ninth overall in the 100 backstroke (57.27 seconds) and 15th in the 100 free (50.64), while Fentress was 16th overall in the 50 free (23.25).

The 200 medley relay team (Simpson, Quintero, Quinn and Fentress) was 13th with a time of 1:47.88.

The Comets finished 14th as a team with 68 points, 48 earned by the state qualifying relays.

Staff report