News Summary

The NSAA Swim State Championships in Lincoln saw local high school swimming teams deliver thrilling performances. The Lincoln East boys team won their first title in 37 years, while the Omaha Marian girls team triumphed with a narrow victory. Standout athletes like Jadeon Carter and Meredith Peyton made headlines with record-breaking swims, showcasing the depth of talent in Nebraska high school swimming. With exciting finishes and team camaraderie, this year’s championships were a memorable event for athletes and fans alike.

Exciting Swim State Championships in Lincoln: Local Teams Take Center Stage

This past weekend, the waters of Lincoln were electric as local high school swimming teams showcased their talents in an unbelievable showdown at the NSAA Swim State Championships. Both the Lincoln East boys team and the Omaha Marian girls emerged victorious, capturing thrilling titles that have left fans buzzing with excitement.

Lincoln East Boys: A Long-Awaited Victory

For the first time in 37 years, the Lincoln East boys swimming team claimed the state title, much to the delight of the crowd. With a total score of 334 points, they narrowly edged out the two-time defending champions, Creighton Prep, who scored 316.5 points. This moment was particularly sweet for Lincoln East, which has seen their swimmers finish as runners-up on eight occasions since their last title back in 1988.

The boys demonstrated remarkable talent throughout the event, with standout performances including Jadeon Carter, who defended his title in the demanding 500 free with an impressive time of 4:39.09. Eje Kim also made waves by clinching victory in the 100 backstroke, achieving a personal best of 49.73 seconds. Their teamwork and determination solidified Lincoln East’s place at the top.

Omaha Marian Girls: A Thrilling Comeback

Meanwhile, the Omaha Marian girls swim team added their own chapter to the history books, scoring 330 points to win their first sole championship since 2021, outpacing the defending champions, Westside, by a narrow margin of just 15 points. The competition was fierce and closely contested, reflecting the talent of these young athletes.

Junior star Meredith Peyton was a sensation, breaking the state record in the girls’ 100 fly. She clocked a stunning 54.27 seconds in the finals after initially setting herself up with a prelim time of 54.46 seconds. Additionally, Peyton defended her title in the 200 free, posting a personal best of 1:50.27 and contributing to Omaha Marian’s two out of three relay victories – including a triumphant finish in the 400 free relay.

Senior Alaira Hadford also showcased her prowess, winning the 500 free with a time of 4:58.08. Newcomer Leah Inman made her mark in the sprint events, winning the double with first-place finishes in both the 50 free (23.33 seconds) and the 100 free (50.97 seconds), recording personal bests in each.

Stellar Performances and Close Finishes

The level of competition at the Championships was nothing short of exhilarating, with several events being decided by mere fractions of a second. Emma Thober of Lincoln Southwest put in a valiant effort in the 200 IM, finishing strong and securing second place.

Over in the boys’ competition, standout sprint performances came from Mason Zadina of Millard South, who captured both the 50 free (20.37 seconds) and the 100 fly titles (48.67 seconds) with personal bests, while Creighton Prep’s Ryan Mendlick won the 100 free with a time of 45.19 seconds and also took home the 200 IM title in 1:51.06.

Diving also saw exciting results, with Colin Farr from Lincoln High winning the 1-meter diving title with an impressive score of 432.20, adding more excitement to the event.

Final Standings: An Overview

In the tough competition among the boys, Lincoln East secured the top spot, followed closely by Creighton Prep and Omaha Westside. For the girls, Omaha Marian took home the first-place trophy, with Westside and Lincoln East following closely behind. Overall, this year’s state championships were a celebration of talent, teamwork, and tenacity, leaving both teams and their supporters cheering for more in the future!

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