Newton South edges Westford Academy

BEVERLY >> Coming into the final event of Sunday night’s North swimming and diving championships, Newton South knew it needed to finish fourth or better in the 400 free relay to claim the program’s first sectional crown.

The job didn’t get easier when Lexington registered a blazing time in the third of four heats. And with 100 yards left in the relay, it looked like it was getting away from Newton.

That’s when senior Daniel Chan put his head down and put in the swim of his life to clinch the fourth place points, good enough for a 240-239 win over Westford Academy.

“We were hoping for a top three or four place maybe with the seven kids we had,” said Newton South coach Iyse Rikleen after the obligatory celebration dip in the Sterling YMCA pool. “It’s absolutely awesome. These kids worked so hard and they all dig deep.”

Newton South had a comfortable lead in the team competition for most of the night. That was until the 100 yard backstroke when Westford’s Quinn Schwab won in 52.85 to score 20 big points to put the Grey Ghosts on top for the first time in the meet.

Then came the 100 yard breaststroke and a clutch performance from Chan and fellow senior Jaden Yang, who finished second (59.85) and seventh (1:02.69) to rack up 29 points to give the Lions a little bit of leeway in the final relay.

“Jaden had the swim of his life in that breaststroke,” Rikleen said.

The Lions only win of the night came in the first event, the 200 medley relay (1:37.67).

Schwab was one of the individual stars of the night as he also won the 200 IM (1:58.76) along with the backstroke. Lexington’s Alan Zhang posted wins in the 100 breaststroke (58.79) and 100 butterfly (50.21) while Lincoln-Sudbury’s Nolan Schlessman won the 200 free (1:44.69) and 100 free (47.37).

Also winning were Fin McKenzie, L-S, in the 50 free; Jack Ventre, Lowell, 500 free and Westford in the 200 free relay.