Last Thursday night was extra special for seven of Liberty’s girls’ swim team members when they were recognized during the Hurricanes’ senior night while defeating East Stroudsburg North, 90-66.

“The seniors, they show up every day, and they’re always working hard, and they always push me because I want to keep up with them,” said sophomore Maddy Drager. “They’ve been a really big part of the team in helping me get my times down. They’re all so sweet, and I really enjoy all the seniors. I’m so sad to see them leave.”

Jackie Baker, Molly Gray, Emma Reilly, Natalie Richardson, Greta Stuckey, Kay Wetmore, and diver Cara Kuykens are Liberty’s seniors.

“It was pretty exciting because I’ve been here for the past three years, and I’ve seen all my other friends going through this whole process,” said Reilly. “I think I wasn’t expecting to feel as emotional as I did, even having seen all of them.”

Thursday’s meet began with the girls’ 200 medley relay which was won by Samantha Taylor, Richardson, Wetmore, and Sydney Taylor in 2:00.25.

Gray took first place in the 200 free in 2:09.15, and Drager was first in the 200 IM in 2:27.39.

“My 200 IM is fine,” said Drager. “It hasn’t been where I wanted it to be all season, but it’s looking better and feeling better, which is more important because I need to get stronger in those strokes.”

Stuckey won the 50 free in 26.11 while Reilly was second, and Treasa Burke came in third.

Wetmore was first in the 100 butterfly in 1:02.18, Richardson won the 100 free in 56.71, and Wetmore took first place in the 500 free in 5:36.90 with Gray coming in second, and Reilly coming in third.

“I did better in the 50 than I’ve been doing so far this season, and I got a new best time in the 500. I dropped three seconds there,” said Reilly. “Luckily, the two events have a lot of space between each other, so I have time to get myself into a different mind set.”

Reilly, Gray, Julia Pinter, and Nicole Krause had the fastest 200 free relay time in 1:56.81.

“I like that in the relays you have something else to race for than just yourself and your own time whereas in an individual event, there’s simultaneously more pressure and less pressure,” Reilly said.

Samantha Taylor had the fastest time in the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.21, and in the 400 free relay, Abby Mack, Gray, Wetmore, and Drager had the fastest time in 4:03.39.

This Thursday, Valentine’s Day, the Hurricanes will host the Patriots in their final regular season meet, one of the most anticipated meets for Liberty and Freedom each year.