The 2017 CEI Strategic Big Southern Classic kicks off Friday, Nov. 10, in Cary, NC. The psych sheet — seen below — features some huge studs in the age group ranks and even a few in the professional ranks as well.

2017 CEI Strategic Big Southern Classic

November 10-12, 2017

Cary, North Carolina

Triangle Aquatic Center

MEET COVERAGE PAGE

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Top 5 To Watch For

1.) Virginia Gators 15-16 Girls

This group has been dominant — absolutely dominant. The quadruplet of Emma Muzzy, Olivia Bray, Caroline Kulp, and Whittney Hamilton have been the cream of the crop when it comes to 15-16 girls in the United States. As a team, they currently hold four out of five possible National Age Group relay records — 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay, and 400-yard medley relay.

2.) Charlotte Hook (TAC Titans)

This 13-year-old for the host club TAC Titans is going to be swimming up against some legit competition (see above). But looking at her seedings on the psych sheet, Hook seems up to the task. She is currently the No. 2 seed in the open 400 IM (4:18.45), No. 6 seed in the open 200 free (1:51.61), and the No. 3 seed in the open 200 IM (2:01.77).

3.) Wolfpack Elite

The post-grad training group from NC State will be making the short drive across town to compete in Cary this weekend. Headliners include the usual suspects: Cullen Jones, Simonas Bilis, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, and Alexia Zevnik. The addition to the group here is Noah Hensley — a 46 100 backstroker and 47 100 butterflier — who transferred from Florida State to NC State and will officially begin competing with the team in January 2018.

4.) Virginia Gators Male Trio

Just like the Virginia Gators girls, the boys have put together a solid group led by Keith MyBurgh, Khalil Fonder, and Noah Bowers. MyBurgh is a Virginia Tech commit and has thrown down monster times in the 100 breast (54.80), 200 breast (1:58.60), and 400 IM (3:45.85). Fonder is an Arizona State commit and a solid 44 100 freestyler, 47 100 butterflier, and 48 100 backstroker. When all is said and done, Bowers — just 16 years-old — could end up overtaking the two named ahead of him. He has already been 1:50/3:56 in the IMs, 49/146 in the backstrokes, and 50/1:49 in the butterfly events.

5.) Elena Dry (TAC Titans)

The 12-year-old from TAC Titans is the top seed in seven of her 10 events on the weekend. Among those, she is the No. 1 seed in the 200 IM by over four seconds, 100 IM by over 2 1/2 seconds, and 100 free by nearly two seconds. She is also the only swimmer seeded under a minute in the 100 fly. Sheesh. Dry is going to clean house this weekend if she can match her all-time best performances.