Christmas in February? The holiday may be a hit delayed, but the Brighton Boys and girls swim teams are both on their way to opening a rather large gift--a 5A state championship title.
The Bengal boys lead the 5A pack with 153 points after four events while the girls have a commanding 149.50 points.But if Brighton does indeed win, the gift will not be a surprise. The Bengals have won a combined 31 state championships between the boys and girls teams since 1981. This year, the team boasts 16 swimmers who rank in the top three of their respective events, including relays. Of the six top-ranked Bengal swimmers that competed Friday, four took first place honors.
"It's like Christmas" Brighton coach Russell Lauber said. "You don't expect a lump of coal after putting in this much work."
The Brighton boys took first in three of four events. Senior David Fleisch set a 5A record in the 200 individual medley with a 1:55.74 performance, shaving over a second off the 1994 record. Spencer Christensen, last year's 200 freestyule champ, won the event again this year. Both Fleisch and Christensen were also a part of Brighton's 200 medley relay team, which edged out Taylorsville in 1:37.69 for a 5A state record.
The victories were sweet revenge for the Bengals, who were defeated by Hunter 409-335 in last year's finals.
"After coming in second for the last couple years, we wanted (the title) back. We want it bad."
With 111 points, Hunter sits in third place behind Taylorsville (135). Skyline is in fourth with 96 points, thanks to a first-place finish by James Bekker in the 50 freestyle.
For the girls, the Bengals took first in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:55.68. The only upset came when defending 5A champion Dallas Bennett of Taylorsville won the 200 freestyle race ahead of No. 1 seed Melissa Jolley (Hunter) and freshman Kristina Davis (Brighton). Other top finishers include Skyline's Taylor Felton in the 50 freestyle and Kim Lewis in the 200 IM.
Hunter is in a distant second with 87 ponits followed by Bingham with 84.50.
3A: Cedar City did well as expected in the 3A races with four boys and two girls taking the top three slots in their events.
Cedar City won the 200 medley relay over Lehi in 1:43.40 and Luke Moore took first in the 50 freestyle in 22.02
Other winners for boys' events include Robby Lea (Park City) in the 200 freestyle and Dean Heyborne (Canyon view) in the 200 individual medley. Tooele won the 200 individual medley relay in 1:546.26 for the girls. Necia Biederman (Cedar City) took first in the 200 freestyle, while Rowland's Calli Payne won the 200 IM and Sara Watchorn won the 50 freestyle.