The West Springfield Spartans have again claimed a significant swimming and diving team championship, despite winning few, if any, events.
The latest title won by the high school boys’ squad was the 6C North Region Occoquan competition, where they amassed 367 points on Friday, Feb. 7. The Lake Braddock Bruins finished second in the region with 310 points.
The region championship is the team’s first since 1994. The Spartans won without finishing first in any of the 12 events.
In the region, West Springfield placed second in three events, third in five and had a trio of fourths and a fifth. There were many other top-16 finishes.
“I’m not sure if that’s our first region title,” West Springfield coach coach Kat Owczarski said. “I’ve been at West Springfield for six years, and certainly we have not won in my time.”
The Spartans had been getting closer to a region title, finishing second last year and fourth in 2023. A week before this year’s region event, West Springfield won just two events in claiming the Patriot District crown.
Helping West Springfield win this year’s region title were swimmers Tristan Curb and twin brothers Hugh and Neil Wargin.
Curb was second in the 500 freestyle and third in the 200 free. Neil Wargin was second in the 200 free and fourth in the 50 free, with Hugh Wargin third in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 breaststroke.
The trio also swam on relays, with the 400 free placing second and the 200 free and medley each finishing third.
Some other top swimmers for the Spartans included Ian Naranjo, with a third in the 100 butterfly and fourth in the 100 backstroke. Rece Page was sixth in the 200 free and seventh in the back; Wyatt Davis was fifth in the 500 free and ninth in the IM; and Liam Seiger was sixth in the fly and ninth in the 50 free.
In addition, Asher van Schager was eighth in the 500 free. Jameson Searight, Ben Loughmiller, Ethan Kim, Clark Loeffert, Jadon Yonas, Ian Schaper, Cooper Lynch, Matthew Alexander and Jackson Deekens scored points in races.
Diver Evan Vink finished sixth.
