Pioneers Showcase Depth and Leadership in Competitive Double Dual
By Jon Theriac | Jan 20, 2026 10:59 PM
The Mooresville Pioneers girls swim and dive team delivered another strong showing in a challenging double dual, earning a decisive 113–34 victory over Martinsville while battling Edgewood in a hard-fought 81–91 contest. Across both meets, the Pioneers demonstrated competitive depth, championship leadership, and continued growth from a young roster that is rapidly gaining experience at the right time of the season. The evening opened with a solid effort in the 200-yard medley relay, where juniors Danielle Gilman and Morgan Gainey teamed with senior captain Lylah Theriac and freshman Natallia Davis to claim second place. The relay set the tone for a night defined by composure and consistency. Freshman Keelan Chappell highlighted the distance events with a standout win in the 200-yard freestyle, touching first in 2:17.57 and dropping nearly half a second off her lifetime best. Fellow freshman Isabella Henson added valuable points with a fourth-place finish, underscoring the Pioneers’ growing depth in the middle-distance events. Senior captain Lylah Theriac continued to anchor the lineup with authority, winning the 200-yard individual medley in 2:10.21 before following it up with a commanding victory in the 100-yard butterfly (58.05). Her leadership and versatility remain a cornerstone of the Pioneers’ success as the postseason approaches. On the boards, junior Mackenzie Pierson delivered one of the night’s most dominant performances, winning the 1-meter six-dive event with a score of 249.25. Pierson’s consistency and poise continue to provide Mooresville with a reliable scoring advantage in diving. Speed events were fueled by juniors Morgan Gainey and Aleah Marine, who placed second and fourth respectively in the 50-yard freestyle. Gainey also added a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, contributing across multiple disciplines. The relay strength of the Pioneers was on full display in the 200-yard freestyle relay, where Gilman, Marine, Gainey, and Reese Aker combined for a first-place finish in 1:54.28. The momentum carried into the final event of the night, as the Pioneers closed with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay, sealing the meet with energy and confidence. Additional point contributions came from Gilman in both the 100-yard freestyle and backstroke, Isabella Henson and Reese Aker in the 500-yard freestyle, and Marine and Davis in the 100-yard breaststroke—each swim reinforcing the team’s balanced scoring effort. With a roster blending experienced leadership and a strong freshman class, the Mooresville Pioneers continue to establish themselves as a program on the rise. As championship season nears, the foundation being built through performances like this double dual positions the Pioneers to compete at their best when it matters most.











