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Team Final Scores:
1. Piedmont - 641
2. William Peace - 299
3. Southern Virginia - 295
4. Warren Wilson - 63

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Piedmont University men's swimming program took home the trophy for the second straight season as the Independent South Swimming Conference Championship came to a close on Saturday night in Kingsport, Tennessee.

The Lions dominated from start to finish and closed in style with more wins and a school record falling on Saturday night.

Leandro Forero was named ISSC Swimmer of the Year after picking up four total wins over the three days.

Thursday

Following Thursday's events, the Piedmont men held a sizable lead with 221 points after day one compared to second-place William Peace who had 102. 

Piedmont saw victories in all four events Thursday including a clean sweep of the top five in the 500 free. Leandro Forero claimed the individual win with a 4:50.63 as Perry Westbrook followed him with a 4:51.50. Glynn Morgan, Ryan Smith and Carmen Yeager rounded out the top five in the 500 free. 

Sam Teed won the men's 50 free with a 22.01 while Preston Allen finished fourth in the event (22.51). Erick Fortner won the 200 IM with a 2:00.14 to win by over three seconds. Murphy O'Brien came in second while Brendan Fraher was fifth. 

The Lions also won the 800 free relay with Forero, O'Brien, Westbrook and Fortner combining for a 7:37.38.

Friday

Piedmont was able to keep up the solid pace on Day Two, with four different Lions picking up individual wins on Friday. Forero added another first-place finish, taking the 400 IM with a time of 4:23.70, winning by nearly six seconds.

Westbrook then added his first solo win of the event, taking the 200 free (1:47.52), just ahead of two other Lions as Piedmont took the top three spots in the race.

Teed added his second win of the championship, finishing first in the 100 breast with a time of 59.55, just ahead of Fortner (59.71).

In the final non-relay event of the evening, O'Brien narrowly bested teammate Reid Barnes to take the top spot in the 100 back with a time of 55.72.

Saturday

Already leading by a substantial margin heading into the final day, the Lions left no doubt with another outstanding performance to close out the championship.

In the first event of the night, the 200 back, Murphy O'Brien grabbed his third title of the event and set a new record in the 200 back with a 1:59.85.

Although they did not win in the 100 free, Piedmont's Henry Rickman took second (48.71) while Teed was on his heels in third (48.73).

Fortner then put an exclamation point on a fantastic weekend, cruising to the win in the 200 breast with a time of 2:14.76.

Finally, with the outcome in hand, the Lions capped off the event with a win in the 400 free relay as Forero, Fortner, O'Brien and Rickman tacked on another win and were under a second from setting a new school record.

This marks the conclusion of the 2024-25 season for the Lions as they end another year bringing a trophy back to Demorest.

PIEDMONT WINS (Bold Denotes School Record):
Leandro Forero - 500 free (4:50.63), 800 free relay (7:37.48), 400 IM (4:23.70), 400 free relay (3:16.45)
Erick Fortner - 200 IM (2:00.14), 800 free relay (7:37.48), 200 breast (2:14.76), 400 free relay (3:16.45)
Murphy O'Brien - 800 free relay (7:37.48), 100 back (55.72), 200 back (1:59.85), 400 free relay (3:16.45)
Henry Rickman - 400 free relay (3:16.45)
Sam Teed - 50 free (22.01), 100 breast (59.55)
Perry Westbrook - 800 free relay (7:37.48), 200 free (1:47.52)