Valentines Day came during a lovely week for Logan County High School senior Riley Wharton. Not only did he shine in the regional swim meet, but the very special college of his choice said “aye, aye” to his application.

Wharton is headed to state this weekend and to the United States Naval Academy after graduation.

He led Logan County’s swim team to a strong finish at the regional meet in Owensboro by finishing as regional runner-up in the 100 meter breaststroke. Individually he placed 6^th in the 50 freestyle. He was also a member of the school’s fifth place 200 medley relay team and sixth-place freestyle relay team.

As a result, Wharton was named all-region.

Joining him on that fifth-place relay team were Wesley Abney, Matthew Jenkins and Joey Higgins. Teammates on the sixth-place foursome were John Hendricks, Jacob Orndorff and Higgins.

A relay team without Wharton placed fourth. The 400-meter freestyle relay consisted of Abney, Orndorff, Hendricks and Higgins.

Also placing for the Cougars were Higgins (11^th in the 50 freestyle) and Jenkins 13^th in the 100 butterfly).

Wharton was nominated for the Naval Academy by Cong. James Comer. He had been nominated for the Merchant Marines Academy by Sen. Rand Paul.

Rachelle Wharton, who coaches both the Logan County and Russellville swim teams along with being Riley Wharton’s mom, says of her son: “He has worked so hard for every bit of this: Swimming on his own, doing two-a-days, writing the team workouts and helping everyone on the team along!! He never quits! We are so proud of Riley.”

Shown in the team picture of the relay swimmers, from left, are Wesley Abney, Matthew Jenkins, Jacob Orndorff, Joey Higgins, Riley Wharton and John Hendricks.