Article Text

The Langley Saxons’ run of five consecutive boys postseason swimming and diving championships ended by the narrowest of margins at the Liberty District meet on Saturday, Feb. 1.

McLean captured the district title with 488 points, finishing just 23 ahead of Langley’s 465. The Saxons entered the meet as two-time defending Class 6 state champions.

Langley still delivered five victories, taking two relays and three individual events.

Michael Zhou won the 100-yard backstroke in 50.68 seconds and placed second in the individual medley. Max Thompson claimed the 50 freestyle in 21.4 and finished second in the 100 butterfly. Parris Garvin won the 100 breaststroke in 56.87 and took second in the 200 freestyle.

Zhou, Garvin, Thompson and Ethan Shin combined to win the medley relay in 1:34.89. Shin, Garvin, Aiden Thornsbury and Cameron Kuhn captured the 200 freestyle relay in 1:28.29.

Kuhn placed second in both the 100 and 200 freestyle races. Shin added a runner-up finish in the breaststroke and took third in the 100 freestyle, while Thornsbury finished sixth in the 50 freestyle.

The Saxons also placed second in the 400 freestyle relay.

Alex Pahlevanpour finished third in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 500 freestyle. Ryan Flickinger placed third in the backstroke and sixth in the individual medley, while Alexander Thornton was third in the 500 freestyle and seventh in the individual medley.

Rajin Braynard, Isaac Bockman, Andy Li, Bennett Steele and Marcus Young also contributed to Langley’s team score.

In diving, Langley’s Alan Fu placed second with 345.1 points. Marshall’s Michael DeSando won the event with 395.45.

Langley also finished second at the 2023 Liberty District meet before beginning its streak of five straight postseason championships.