BROADNECK BOYS CLAIM THEIR FIRST ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY SWIM TITLE

by Aaron Gray

When all the powerhouse boys swim teams in Anne Arundel County met last week in the regular-season finale, most people did not expect Broadneck High School to be among the Top 3. The Bruins stuck out, however, and finished in a rare tie for first place with South River, the defending county champion.

Broadneck validated that effort with another standout performance Friday as junior Doug McWhorter won the 50-yard freestyle and was a member of two winning relay teams to lead the Bruins to a victory in the county championship at the Arundel Olympic Swim Center.

Broadneck led throughout the 11-team event and finished with 121 points. South River (85) edged Annapolis (80) for second place followed by Severna Park (79), Arundel (55) and Old Mill (50).

"We had a tremendous meet last week and I think we surprised some people," said Bruins coach Colleen Winans, whose team was third at last year's county championship but finished this season with a 14-0-1 record. "The guys followed it up with another great performance today and we were able to win the whole thing. We're thrilled. The guys know that every single race counts."

McWhorter was the Bruins' lone individual winner but the team made its mark in the relay events, where the points were doubled. Sophomore Taylor Smith, junior Stephen Robichaud and McWhorter each contributed to the winning 200 medley and 400 free relay teams. Senior Ryan Barber helped get things started as the freestyle anchor for the 200 medley, the first race of the meet. Freshman James Robichaud sparked the 400 free relay.

After winning the 50 free in a time of 22.65 seconds, there was very little down time for McWhorter. He lined up for the very next race -- the 100 butterfly -- and had to take on Annapolis juggernaut Charlie Melesh. The sophomore passed McWhorter during the last 10 yards and timed his touch perfectly.

"I was nervous because I thought Doug touched me out but everything worked out," said Melesh, who won the event in 55.41, which set a meet record. "When it gets that close at the end, I feel like it's a technique thing. Timing your strokes at the end and the turns mean a lot."

Melesh, a two-time winner last year, pulled off the same feat this season but with two different events. Instead of the 500 free and 200 IM, Melesh edged out McWhorter in the 100 butterfly and narrowly beat out South River's Justin Vagts in the 200 free (1:45.18).

"I like to have options," said Melesh, who had swam the 100 butterfly for the first time last week. "My coach knew we had other strong swimmers in the 500 free and 200 IM, so I swam different events to help the team."

Vagts was a substitute in the 500 free, the same event he won at last year's state meet, and won easily in a time of 4:44.47. He also paced the Seahawks' winning 200 free relay (1:36.97) and made a late push to make up for an early deficit.

"It was more of (teammate) Mark (Morelli) on that one -- he kept it up," Vagts said. "I knew the team scores were pretty close at that point so I just went all out at the end."

Aside from Melesh, Arundel senior Tim Deklau was the other double winner on the day. He showed his versatility in the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.11 and smoked the 100 breast in 1:04.81 -- both meet records.

Annapolis made a late push for the runner-up spot when freshman Dylan Davis took the 100 backstroke (56.78) and the 400 free (Dillon Scherger, Tucker Scherger, Davis, Melesh) finished second. But South River was right behind the Panthers in the final relay of the night and held on.

Cort Jones, of South River, was on that final relay team and also pulled out a win in the 100 free (52.12).

"I started out slow in the 100 but I had some teammates in there to push me," Jones said. "I didn't go out with a full sprint because sometimes I die on the last 50. I just needed to set a good pace and make sure to finish strong."

Severna Park freshman Colin Heil was right behind Jones in the 100 free (54.00) and junior Zach Griffin finished third in the 500 free (5:27.43) to pace the Falcons.

Junior Jonathan Reddick was second in the 50 free (22.76) and sparked a third-place finish for Old Mill in the 200 medley relay (1:51.86).

TEAM SCORES: 1. Broadneck 121, 2. South River 85, 3. Annapolis 80, 4. Severna Park 79, 5. Arundel 55, 6. Old Mill 50, 7. Chesapeake 24, 8. Southern 10, 8. Northeast 10, 10. Glen Burnie 5, 11. Meade 4. 

WINNING TIMES: 200 medley relay – Broadneck (S. Robichaud, Smith, McWhorter, Barber) 1:48.93; 200 free – Melesh (AN) 1:45.18; 200 IM – Deklau (AR) 2:03.11; 50 free – McWhorter (BN) 22.65; 100 butterfly – Melesh (AN) 55.41; 100 free – C. Jones (SR) 52.12; 500 free – Ju. Vagts (SR) 4:44.47; 200 free relay – South River (Stevens, Siegert, Morelli, Ju. Vagts) 1:36.97; 100 backstroke – Davis (AN) 56.78; 100 breast – Deklau (AR) 1:04.81; 400 free relay – Broadneck (J. Robichaud, S. Robichaud, Smith, McWhorter) 3:28.04.

For complete times of all events, click here. For the official final team standings, click here.