After a three-week hiatus from the pool, Wootton and Walter Johnson met Saturday morning in what could have been lopsided meets for both teams.
Walter Johnson was expected to dominate, with perhaps the deepest and most talented group of freestylers in the county this year. But with notable absentees, Fletcher Tollefson and Garrett Powell, Wootton’s boys kept the meet close, trailing only 80-79 going into the final relay.
Start of the girls 100 butterfly; Wootton's Scarlett Sun (15) placed first, followed by teammate Allie Klatzkin (16). (Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
But Walter Johnson was saved by brilliant swims by Barry Mangold (16), who won the 50 freestyle in 21.92 seconds and 100 freestyle in 47.82, before capping off the day by anchoring the 400 relay relay to a win to seal the victory for the Wildcats, 88-83.
Wootton's girls were heavily favored heading into the meet and did not disappoint, winning nine of eleven events to win 113-58, including impressive swims by Kristina Li (15), who won the 100 freestyle (54.85) and 100 backstroke (58.91).
Wootton's boys had built a body length lead during the first three legs of the relay, but Mangold erased that lead in the first 50 yards, pulling away in the second lap from Wootton's Kevin Fu (16), winner of the 200 freestyle (1:51.46).
While Mangold's leg was decisive, Jean-Marc Nugent (14) also gave a key performance as the third leg for Walter Johnson to keep it close, just minutes after taking second in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.63).
The boys 100 breaststroke was won by Austin Dickey (16) who set a new Wootton record with a time of 59.30.
Austin Dickey on his way to setting a new Wootton team record in the boys 100 breaststroke. (Bryan Flaherty/The Washington Post)
Other top performances were provided by Annie Kastler (16), who put up an impressive 196.80 to win the girls diving event for Walter Johnson, and Wootton's Jessica Chen (15) who was a double winner in the 50 freestyle (25.11) and 100 breaststroke (1:08.27).
Come championship season, Walter Johnson's boys will certainly be one to watch.