Nansemond River High School senior swimmer Logan Eubanks still stood out even though the competition at the recent Group 5A state championships was faster than what the Warriors were used to in the 4A classification.

Growth in the size of Nansemond River’s student body prompted a move up to 5A starting in the 2015-16 school year, and NR swimming coach Shamus Riley quickly noticed the difference in the pool.

“Of course, I felt like we did well in comparison to moving up,” Riley said.

The Warriors and Lady Warriors had as their conference mate this season Menchville High School, and the Monarchs won the state championship, while the Lady Monarchs took fourth.

Out of 29 boys’ teams to score, the Warriors placed 17th, and the Lady Warriors tied for 25th out of 27 girls’ teams to score.

In 2014 and 2015 while Nansemond River competed in 4A, Eubanks won the conference, region and state championships in the boys’ 100-yard backstroke.

Though Eubanks did not repeat those titles this year in 5A, he made his presence known at states in Fairfax on Friday, placing fourth in the 100 back with a time of 52.79 seconds.

“Logan actually had a personal best time in prelims in his backstroke and was still seeded No. 3,” Riley said.

Eubanks’ personal record of 51.80 seconds in the preliminary heat is also the new school record.

Senior Ted Schubert of Patrick Henry High School in Ashland won the 100 back with a time of 49.86 seconds, which put him in consideration for All-American status.

The number of times the term All-American became relevant at the meet was another indicator that Nansemond River was facing a higher level of competitive swimmers.

“A good handful made All-American, and a lot of them had consideration for it,” Riley said. “I didn’t see that at all at 4A.”

At the meet, the top 16 swimmers and relay teams in the prelims of their respective events advanced to the finals, and the top eight in the finals received medals.

“Logan did medal in both his events,” Riley said, noting Eubanks will graduate with eight state medals and two state championships earned during his high school career.

In Eubanks’ other individual event on Friday, the 200-yard freestyle, he placed eighth with a time of 1:47.46.

“Of course, I saw Logan become better each year, but Logan’s heart definitely showed at states this year,” Riley said.

Naturally, Eubanks wanted to do his best in his individual events, but Riley said he told him that “during relays, I always even want to try harder because I don’t want to let my team down.”

He helped the Warriors’ 200-yard medley relay team take 10th with a time of 1:44.21. The team also included senior River Fiedler, junior Zachery Whear and freshman Allen Zachary.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Eubanks helped Nansemond River’s team produce a new school record time of 3:27.04 in the finals, giving it 13th place. In the finals, the squad consisted of Eubanks, Zachary, sophomore Clay Bennett and Whear. In the prelims, freshman Hunter Ward swam in place of Whear.

Reflecting on Eubanks, Riley said, “He’ll definitely be missed. He set the standard high.”

Also reaching the finals for Nansemond River was the boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay team, which featured Bennett, Ward, Whear and senior Ryan Pentecost. It ultimately took 15th with a 1:38.28 time.

The Lady Warriors’ 200-yard freestyle relay team also made it through to the finals where it placed 14th, finishing in one minute and 51.98 seconds. The team in the finals included seniors Claire Janek, Kaitlyn Higgins, Tayler Pearl and Cali Valdivieso. In the prelims, freshman Haley Russell swam in place of Valdivieso.