The Langley Saxons’ streak of five straight boys postseason swimming and diving championship meets came to an end this season — but barely.
The two-time defending Class 6 state champions finished second in this winter’s Liberty District meet by just 23 points. The McLean Highlanders won the Saturday (Feb. 1) event with 488 points. Langley had 465.
The Saxons won two relays in the meet, the medley in 1:34.89 and the 200 free in 1:28.29, and had three individual champions, who each placed second in two other races.
Michael Zhou won the 100 backstroke (50.68) and was second in the individual medley, Max Thompson was first in the 50 freestyle (21.4) and second in the 100 butterfly, and Parris Garvin won the 100 breaststroke (56.87) and was second in the 200 free.
Zhou, Parris, Thompson and Ethan Shin made up the winning medley relay, while Shin, Garvin, Aiden Thornsbury and Cameron Kuhn swam on the first-place 200 free relay.
Individually, Kuhn was second in the 100 and 200 free races and Shin second in the breast and third in the 100 free. Thornsbury was sixth in the 50 free.
Langley’s 400 free relay was second.
Some other top-finishing swimmers for Langley were Alex Pahlevanpour with a third in the 200 free and fifth in the 500 free, Ryan Flickinger third in the back and sixth in the IM, and Alexander Thornton third in the 500 free and seventh in the IM.
Other swimmers contributing to the point total were Rajin Braynard, Isaac Bockman, Andy Li, Bennett Steele and Marcus Young.
Alan Fu was second in diving with a 345.1 point total. Marshall’s Michael DeSando won with a 395.45 score.
NOTE: Langley also finished second in the 2023 Liberty District meet, then began its string of winning five straight postseason crowns.
