The Parkview Panthers knew everyone else was gunning for them, but that didn't keep them from winning the Gwinnett County boys swimming championship Saturday at the West Gwinnett Aquatics Center in Norcross.
Parkview's girls were third.
"We have been on top quite a bit," said Parkview head coach Jack Gayle. "It's a great meet and I am proud of the way it turned out."
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The Panthers boys won the title with a total of 949 points; second-place Collins Hill had 844. Brookwood won the girls title with 1,076 points; Parkview had 725 points.
"Gwinnett in general has been on top as there are a lot of [good] teams from the county," said Gayle. "We have a big senior class and it's interesting to see the dynamics of the team shift to some of our younger ones."
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Ricky Lehner, who won the 100 breaststroke in a meet record of 57.61 seconds was Parkview's leader Saturday. He was the team's only event winner on Saturday. won the boys diving championship on Wednesday.
"Everyone just holds their breath when he is up," Gayle said. "And that's not just from Panther fans. The other teams have respect for him too."
But Lehner wasn't the only one scoring for Parkview. Other highlights: Brandon Leavenworth finished third in the 500 and fifth in the 200 freestyles. The 200 medley relay team of Rory Martin, Lehner, Mark Atuan and Joel Nickerson finished second. In the girls 200 medley relay, the Lady Panthers team of Anna Tait, Julianne Kurke, Megan Yang and Laurel Christopher finished third.
"I am happy we did so well," Gayle said. "Now it's time to get ready for state in two weeks."
