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Ashley swimmer Clem Camacho reached the height of his swimming career as he claimed a state championship in the 200-yard freestyle this winter.
The Virginia Tech signee also finished as the state runner-up in the 200 butterfly, cementing his spot as Wilmington's best swimmer this winter and earning his first StarNews All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year honor.
But just two years ago, Camacho was unsure if he'd ever swim again.
JUMP TO GIRLS ALL AREA
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Diagnosed with overtraining syndrome towards the end of his sophomore season, Camacho recalls a feeling of constant unrest, both mentally and physically.
His perspective at the time bought into the notion that all of his fatigue was normal and that making sacrifices was just part of being a successful swimmer.
"'No pain, no gain' was kind of ingrained in my mindset," he said. "The mentality that you just have to work your butt off the entire time."
That rationale produced excellent results for Camacho in the pool as he excelled during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Raleigh's Broughton High School.
His life outside of swimming, however, suffered. From constant restlessness to a lack of mental confidence, Camacho's approach was eating away at his spirit for the sport.
"It turned into a situation where I needed to take time off and reevaluate," he said.
He says he took multiple breaks from swimming, some as long as six weeks, to refine his sense of purpose beyond the pool. After his family moved back to Wilmington from Raleigh last summer, the results, both in and out of the water, immediately started to emerge.
"I've learned that I need to be a complete person outside of swim," he said. "It was a great thing because now I have other things outside the pool. It makes more of a complete happiness than just being a swimmer.
Clem Camacho, Sr., Ashley (Swimmer of the Year): Camacho won the NCHSAA 4A state title in the 200 freestyle and placed second in the 100 butterfly. He also won the 100 butterfly title in the 4A East regional.
Nathan Arredondo, Sr., Hoggard: Arredondo racked up at least eight Mideastern Conference first-place finishes before placing third in the 50 freestyle and fourth in 100 freestyle at regionals.
Will House, Jr., Laney: House was the area's top distance swimmer this winter, dominating the 500 freestyle and placing 12th in the 200 freestyle at regionals.
Ryker Eder, Jr., Ashley: Eder dominated area compeittion in the 100 butterfly and breaststroke, earning top 10 finishes in both events at regionals.
Stephen Butner, Jr., Ashley: The 100 backstroke specialist placed 10th in the event at regionals while also securing a 10th place finish at the event in the 50 freestyle.
Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard; Behrett Petroff, Hoggard; Bryson Edwards, Ashley; James Lewis, Cape Fear Academy; Laith Ausband, Ashley.
Player of the Year: Clem Camacho, Ashley
Coach of the Year: John Pellizzari, Ashley
Team Sportsmanship: Ashley
200 Medley Relay: Stephen Butner, Ashley; Clem Camacho, Ashley; Ryker Eder, Ashley; Laith Ausband, Ashley. 200 Freestyle: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 200 Individual Medley: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 50 Freestyle: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 100 Butterfly: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 100 Freestyle: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard. 500 Freestyle: Will House, Laney.
200 Freestyle: Elijah Setzer, Ashley; Bryson Edwards, Ashley; Ryan McCormick, Ashley; Laith Ausband, Ashley. 100 Backstroke: Stephen Butner, Ashley. 100 Breaststroke: Ryker Eder, Ashley. 400 Freestyle: Bryson Edwards, Ashley; Stephen Butner, Ashley; Ryker Eder, Ashley; Clem Camacho, Ashley. Diving: Declan Post, Ashley.
200 Medley Relay: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard; Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard; Maxwell Hawthorne, Hoggard; Behrett Petroff, Hoggard. 200 Freestyle: Will House, Laney. 200 Individual Medley: Bryson Edwards, Ashley. 50 Freestyle: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard. 100 Butterfly: Ryker Eder, Ashley. 100 Freestyle: Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard. 500 Freestyle: Shepherd Sewell, New Hanover. 200 Freestyle: Maxwell Hawthorne, Hoggard; Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard; Behrett Petroff, Hoggard; Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard. 100 Backstroke: Bryson Edwards, Ashley. 100 Breaststroke: Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard. 400 Freestyle: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard; Maxwell Hawthorne, Hoggard; Evan Oblinger, Hoggard; Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard. Diving: Daniel Ridlon, Hoggard.
Kelsey Stuck is used to winning.
The Hoggard swimmer wrapped up a high school career of dominance this winter as the 4A runner-up in the 50 freestyle. The Kentucky signee also grabbed a handful of top finishes against Mideastern Conference opponents and two second-place medals at regionals. She earns her third consecutive StarNews All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year honor.
For all of the dominance, though, Stuck isn't immune to the challenges of a grueling high school swimming season.
The senior vividly remembers being disqualified after flinching before the start of a race early in the season. Moments like those, coupled with expectations to win every event admittedly took a toll on Stuck, something she says took time to navigate.
"I put so much internal pressure on myself, and my confidence fell down a little bit," she said.
Her solution was to revamp both her mental and physical training, reducing workloads in both capacities. That looked like spending less time on backstroke in the pool and honing her concept of who she is as a person.
"I'm not a swimmer; I'm just someone who swims," she said. "Not letting it define me is really important. I just gave myself a reset, and my confidence is definitely back up again."
As she leaves behind one of the area's most impressive girls swimming resumes in recent years, Stuck sets her eyes on a new challenge: Concuring collegiate swimming at Kentucky next fall.
"My goal for this season was to end on a good note and have this year represent all four years what Hoggard has really meant to me," Stuck said.
Kelsey Stuck, Sr., Hoggard (Swimmer of the Year): The Kentucky signee placed second in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 backstroke in the NCHSAA 4A state championship.
Kate Serens, Soph., New Hanover: The area's top 500 freestyle swimmer, Serens placed sixth in the regional event while finishing fourth in the 100 backstroke. She totaled at least nine first-place finishes in the MEC competition.
Juliet Burroughs, Sr., New Hanover: The Queens University signee racked up nine first-place finishes against conference opponents before placing sixth in the 100 freestyle at regionals. She finished 12th in the state in the event at states.
Aley Williams, Sr., West Brunswick: Williams was the area's best girls swimmer in the 100 breaststroke, placing fourth in the 3A state championship. She earned second- (100 breaststroke) and third-place finishes (50 freestyle) at regionals while claiming nine top finishes against conference opponents.
Caroline Furbay, Sr., Ashley: The Davidson signee placed sixth in the 100 freestyle in the 4A state championship. She took third in the event at regionals while placing fourth in the 200 individual medley.
Peyton Stegman, Fr., South Brunswick: Stegman claimed regional 3A regional titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle and placed fifth in the 100 backstroke in the 3A state championship. She also placed sixth in the 100 freestyle at states.
Opal Boehmer, South Brunswick; AJ Jackson, South Brunswick; Violet Derry, Ashley; Kelsey Weigard, Hoggard.
Player of the Year: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard
Coach of the Year: John Pellizari, Ashley
Team Sportsmanship: Ashley
200 Medley Relay: Finley Rountree, Ashley; Jessica Stogner, Ashley; Caroline Furbay, Ashley; Violet Derry, Ashley. 200 Freestyle: Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. 200 Individual Medley: Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 50 Freestyle: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard. 100 Butterfly: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 100 Freestyle: Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. 500 Freestyle: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 200 Freestyle: Violet Derry, Ashley; Sophie Wert, Ashley; Jessica Stogner, Ashley; Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 100 Backstroke: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard. 100 Breaststroke: Aley Williams, West Brunswick. 400 Freestyle: Kate Serens, New Hanover; Kemper Yarnoz, New Hanover; Elizabeth Sifly, New Hanover; Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. Diving: Olivia Fox, Hoggard.
200 Medley Relay: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard; Olivia Crowley, Hoggard; Coco Uebbing, Hoggard; Chloe Hughes, Hoggard. 200 Freestyle: Kaylee Jarvis, West Brunswick. 200 Individual Medley: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 50 Freestyle: Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. 100 Butterfly: Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 100 Freestyle: Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 500 Freestyle: Kaylee Jarvis, West Brunswick. 200 Freestyle: Kelsey Weigand, Hoggard; Lexi Williams, Hoggard; Chloe Hughes, Hoggard; Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard. 100 Backstroke: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 100 Breaststroke: Heidi Bollenbacher, Laney. 400 Freestyle: Caroline Furbay, Ashley; Violet Derry, Ashley; Sophie Wert, Ashley; Finley Rountree, Ashley. Diving: Brianna Blanchard, Hoggard.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2025 StarNews All-Area boys, girls swim teams
Continue reading...
The Virginia Tech signee also finished as the state runner-up in the 200 butterfly, cementing his spot as Wilmington's best swimmer this winter and earning his first StarNews All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year honor.
But just two years ago, Camacho was unsure if he'd ever swim again.
JUMP TO GIRLS ALL AREA
ALL-AREA BASKETBALL 2025 StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball: New Hanover star leads Wilmington's best
Diagnosed with overtraining syndrome towards the end of his sophomore season, Camacho recalls a feeling of constant unrest, both mentally and physically.
His perspective at the time bought into the notion that all of his fatigue was normal and that making sacrifices was just part of being a successful swimmer.
"'No pain, no gain' was kind of ingrained in my mindset," he said. "The mentality that you just have to work your butt off the entire time."
That rationale produced excellent results for Camacho in the pool as he excelled during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Raleigh's Broughton High School.
His life outside of swimming, however, suffered. From constant restlessness to a lack of mental confidence, Camacho's approach was eating away at his spirit for the sport.
"It turned into a situation where I needed to take time off and reevaluate," he said.
He says he took multiple breaks from swimming, some as long as six weeks, to refine his sense of purpose beyond the pool. After his family moved back to Wilmington from Raleigh last summer, the results, both in and out of the water, immediately started to emerge.
"I've learned that I need to be a complete person outside of swim," he said. "It was a great thing because now I have other things outside the pool. It makes more of a complete happiness than just being a swimmer.
2025 StarNews All-Area Boys Swimming First Team
You must be registered for see images attach
Clem Camacho, Sr., Ashley (Swimmer of the Year): Camacho won the NCHSAA 4A state title in the 200 freestyle and placed second in the 100 butterfly. He also won the 100 butterfly title in the 4A East regional.
Nathan Arredondo, Sr., Hoggard: Arredondo racked up at least eight Mideastern Conference first-place finishes before placing third in the 50 freestyle and fourth in 100 freestyle at regionals.
Will House, Jr., Laney: House was the area's top distance swimmer this winter, dominating the 500 freestyle and placing 12th in the 200 freestyle at regionals.
Ryker Eder, Jr., Ashley: Eder dominated area compeittion in the 100 butterfly and breaststroke, earning top 10 finishes in both events at regionals.
Stephen Butner, Jr., Ashley: The 100 backstroke specialist placed 10th in the event at regionals while also securing a 10th place finish at the event in the 50 freestyle.
2025 StarNews All-Area Boys Swimming Second Team
Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard; Behrett Petroff, Hoggard; Bryson Edwards, Ashley; James Lewis, Cape Fear Academy; Laith Ausband, Ashley.
2025 All-Mideastern Conference Selections
Player of the Year: Clem Camacho, Ashley
Coach of the Year: John Pellizzari, Ashley
Team Sportsmanship: Ashley
First Team
200 Medley Relay: Stephen Butner, Ashley; Clem Camacho, Ashley; Ryker Eder, Ashley; Laith Ausband, Ashley. 200 Freestyle: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 200 Individual Medley: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 50 Freestyle: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 100 Butterfly: Clem Camacho, Ashley. 100 Freestyle: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard. 500 Freestyle: Will House, Laney.
200 Freestyle: Elijah Setzer, Ashley; Bryson Edwards, Ashley; Ryan McCormick, Ashley; Laith Ausband, Ashley. 100 Backstroke: Stephen Butner, Ashley. 100 Breaststroke: Ryker Eder, Ashley. 400 Freestyle: Bryson Edwards, Ashley; Stephen Butner, Ashley; Ryker Eder, Ashley; Clem Camacho, Ashley. Diving: Declan Post, Ashley.
Second Team
200 Medley Relay: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard; Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard; Maxwell Hawthorne, Hoggard; Behrett Petroff, Hoggard. 200 Freestyle: Will House, Laney. 200 Individual Medley: Bryson Edwards, Ashley. 50 Freestyle: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard. 100 Butterfly: Ryker Eder, Ashley. 100 Freestyle: Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard. 500 Freestyle: Shepherd Sewell, New Hanover. 200 Freestyle: Maxwell Hawthorne, Hoggard; Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard; Behrett Petroff, Hoggard; Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard. 100 Backstroke: Bryson Edwards, Ashley. 100 Breaststroke: Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard. 400 Freestyle: Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard; Maxwell Hawthorne, Hoggard; Evan Oblinger, Hoggard; Ryan Reiniche, Hoggard. Diving: Daniel Ridlon, Hoggard.
2025 StarNews All-Area girls Swimming
Kelsey Stuck is used to winning.
The Hoggard swimmer wrapped up a high school career of dominance this winter as the 4A runner-up in the 50 freestyle. The Kentucky signee also grabbed a handful of top finishes against Mideastern Conference opponents and two second-place medals at regionals. She earns her third consecutive StarNews All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year honor.
For all of the dominance, though, Stuck isn't immune to the challenges of a grueling high school swimming season.
The senior vividly remembers being disqualified after flinching before the start of a race early in the season. Moments like those, coupled with expectations to win every event admittedly took a toll on Stuck, something she says took time to navigate.
"I put so much internal pressure on myself, and my confidence fell down a little bit," she said.
Her solution was to revamp both her mental and physical training, reducing workloads in both capacities. That looked like spending less time on backstroke in the pool and honing her concept of who she is as a person.
"I'm not a swimmer; I'm just someone who swims," she said. "Not letting it define me is really important. I just gave myself a reset, and my confidence is definitely back up again."
As she leaves behind one of the area's most impressive girls swimming resumes in recent years, Stuck sets her eyes on a new challenge: Concuring collegiate swimming at Kentucky next fall.
"My goal for this season was to end on a good note and have this year represent all four years what Hoggard has really meant to me," Stuck said.
2025 StarNews All-Area girls Swimming First Team
You must be registered for see images attach
Kelsey Stuck, Sr., Hoggard (Swimmer of the Year): The Kentucky signee placed second in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 backstroke in the NCHSAA 4A state championship.
Kate Serens, Soph., New Hanover: The area's top 500 freestyle swimmer, Serens placed sixth in the regional event while finishing fourth in the 100 backstroke. She totaled at least nine first-place finishes in the MEC competition.
Juliet Burroughs, Sr., New Hanover: The Queens University signee racked up nine first-place finishes against conference opponents before placing sixth in the 100 freestyle at regionals. She finished 12th in the state in the event at states.
Aley Williams, Sr., West Brunswick: Williams was the area's best girls swimmer in the 100 breaststroke, placing fourth in the 3A state championship. She earned second- (100 breaststroke) and third-place finishes (50 freestyle) at regionals while claiming nine top finishes against conference opponents.
Caroline Furbay, Sr., Ashley: The Davidson signee placed sixth in the 100 freestyle in the 4A state championship. She took third in the event at regionals while placing fourth in the 200 individual medley.
Peyton Stegman, Fr., South Brunswick: Stegman claimed regional 3A regional titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle and placed fifth in the 100 backstroke in the 3A state championship. She also placed sixth in the 100 freestyle at states.
2025 StarNews All-Area girls Swimming Second Team
Opal Boehmer, South Brunswick; AJ Jackson, South Brunswick; Violet Derry, Ashley; Kelsey Weigard, Hoggard.
2025 All-Mideastern Conference Selections
Player of the Year: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard
Coach of the Year: John Pellizari, Ashley
Team Sportsmanship: Ashley
First Team
200 Medley Relay: Finley Rountree, Ashley; Jessica Stogner, Ashley; Caroline Furbay, Ashley; Violet Derry, Ashley. 200 Freestyle: Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. 200 Individual Medley: Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 50 Freestyle: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard. 100 Butterfly: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 100 Freestyle: Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. 500 Freestyle: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 200 Freestyle: Violet Derry, Ashley; Sophie Wert, Ashley; Jessica Stogner, Ashley; Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 100 Backstroke: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard. 100 Breaststroke: Aley Williams, West Brunswick. 400 Freestyle: Kate Serens, New Hanover; Kemper Yarnoz, New Hanover; Elizabeth Sifly, New Hanover; Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. Diving: Olivia Fox, Hoggard.
Second Team
200 Medley Relay: Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard; Olivia Crowley, Hoggard; Coco Uebbing, Hoggard; Chloe Hughes, Hoggard. 200 Freestyle: Kaylee Jarvis, West Brunswick. 200 Individual Medley: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 50 Freestyle: Juliet Burroughs, New Hanover. 100 Butterfly: Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 100 Freestyle: Caroline Furbay, Ashley. 500 Freestyle: Kaylee Jarvis, West Brunswick. 200 Freestyle: Kelsey Weigand, Hoggard; Lexi Williams, Hoggard; Chloe Hughes, Hoggard; Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard. 100 Backstroke: Kate Serens, New Hanover. 100 Breaststroke: Heidi Bollenbacher, Laney. 400 Freestyle: Caroline Furbay, Ashley; Violet Derry, Ashley; Sophie Wert, Ashley; Finley Rountree, Ashley. Diving: Brianna Blanchard, Hoggard.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2025 StarNews All-Area boys, girls swim teams
Continue reading...
