CHAPEL HILL -- Exchange-Sunset Creek coach Andy Young knew that winning the Chapel Hill Summer Swim League's Championship Meet was possible.

But the Cyclones' older swimmers, who had spent years at the bottom of the CHSSL's standings, understandably had their doubts. At least, that is, until the team's 10-and-under girls powered the Cyclones to a triple-digit lead.

Come halftime of the annual meet, held Saturday at UNC's Koury Natatorium, Exchange-Sunset Creek had opened up a huge margin thanks to its 6-and-under, 7-8 and 9-10 girls, all winning high-point awards for their respective age groups.

"The other kids poured their hearts out to hold onto (the lead)," said Young. "They were so amped up from hearing the score early on."

The meet traditionally is divided into two havles: junior swimmers in the morning session and seniors after a noon break.

The Cyclones struggled a little in the afternoon -- their lead had completely disappeared heading into the breaststroke -- but the underdogs kept fighting. And when the afternoon ended, the P.A. speaker in Koury announced the "first-time champions" 40-point victory as the team exploded in celebration.

"Everyone went crazy," said Young. "I knew it was possible with some of the match-ups, but it was still pretty shocking. It took a lot of hard work and a little luck."

The winners claimed relay victories in three 10-and-under girls events and claimed a double winner in 6-year-old Natalie Jones (25-meter freestyle and 25-meter backstroke).

"The 10-and-unders carried the team through the morning," said Young. "It was fantastic."

Exchange-Sunset Creek's Joey Duronio, 14, was also a double winner, earning championships in the 50 free and 100 IM.

Meanwhile, Chris Gunnels was the biggest winner in the meet. In the boys 15-18 division, he won three individual events (50 meter backstroke, 50 meter backstroke and 50 fly), and earned two more victories in relay events. He also broke two meet records, including a time of 27.59 in the 50 backstroke.

Gunnels has been setting records for Tennis Club-Stoneridge in the Chapel Hill Swim League since he was 10. His 2001 mark in the 50-meter backstroke of 16.32 still stands. While Saturday wasn't his swim league swan song (he turns 19 next July, which allows him to compete one more year), it is his last championship before he starts swimming for Miami (Ohio) University next month. Gunnels is also a member of the Chapel Hill High swimming team in the winter, and he considers the summer league a chance to compete against friends.

"This is a lot of fun," said Gunnels, who graduated from Chapel Hill last month. "We get to see people who we don't always get to see a lot. Plus, we get to swim with all of our friends. It's really relaxed and not too much stress on us."

The meet concluded a memorable year for local swimming. Last winter, Chapel Hill High won the 4-A boys team state championships, ending a nine-year run by Raleigh Enloe. The Chapel Hill girls also claimed a state title after four consecutive championships by Charlotte Providence. In addition, nine swimmers from CHHS and East Chapel Hill claimed individual state titles. Gunnels claimed state titles in the 100 free and 100 back in All-American times and was named the meet's most outstanding performer.

"The state championship was amazing," said Gunnels. "It was great to win those two state titles. But it was especially awesome to win as a team because that was really unexpected. It was an amazing meet."

In the girls' ranks, Kerry McLaughlin, who will swim at Clemson starting this October, finished first on Saturday in the 50 breaststroke and 50 fly. She also teamed with Alden Dyer, Anna Pudik and Libby Mayock to set a new record in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:55.25. McLaughlin and Dyer were on the 200 medley relay team that won the 4-A state championship in February.

In the 7-8 age division, Conner Sept claimed a new meet record in the 25 backstroke in a time of 19.43. Sept joined Gunnels and Jocelyn Tisch as triple winners on the day, also winning the 100 IM and 50 fly. East Chapel Hill's Andrew Krawchyk set a new record for the 100-meter individual medley at 1:01.79.

In the 13-14 girls division, Tisch won 50 free, 100 IM and 50 fly. Tisch, the biggest winner for Exchange-Sunset Creek, was the only triple winner on the girls' side.

Rising East Chapel Hill High junior Meghan Smith set a new meet record in the girls 100 individual medley with a mark of 1:07.95.

Among the double winners on the day in the 6-and-under group were Zack Cairns (25 free and 25 back) and Natalie Jones (25 free and 25 back). In the 7-8 group, Cassidy Andrews claimed victories in the 25 free and 25 back. Elizabeth Jensen, Jake Pudik and Jack Dozier were double winners in the 9-10 bracket. Kaitlin Jones also claimed two championships in the 100 IM and 50 breast.