NEW KINGSTOWN — The Chambersburg boys swim team nearly made it two District 3 team championships in a row Saturday evening.

The Trojans ended up finishing a mere 3 points behind first-place Cumberland Valley (239 to 236), with Wilson (228.5) close behind.

Cullen McGraw

The Chambersburg girls team produced a 10th-place finish, believed to be the best in team history. And Waynesboro’s Eve Phillips took first in the 100 freestyle (51.88) for her second gold medal of the championships (she won the 50 free Friday).

Chambersburg boys coach Chad White said, “Today was a lot of fun. When we graduated a couple of guys last year, not many thought we’d have a chance to repeat as district champions. However, we put ourselves in position to win with some great fight.

“I think getting so close will light an even bigger fire for states and I expect us to challenge for a top-10 team finish.”

The Trojan boys had a pair of second-place finishes. In the 500 freestyle, Cullen McGraw was the top seed and he bettered his seed time with an effort of 4:40.68, but he was nosed out by Penn Manor’s Trent Olson (4:36.10). McGraw’s teammate, Ethan White, was right behind in third (4:43.36).

Chambersburg’s 400 freestyle relay team, in the meet’s final event, also was second. The team of Alex Kaczmark, McGraw, White and Amir Tasker was timed in 3:10.01, better than their seed time, but just off the pace set by Elizabethtown (3:09.78).

The Trojans had two other individuals record top-10 efforts. Cristian Pong was sixth in the 100 backstroke in 52.47, while Tasker placed seventh in the 100 freestyle (46.56).

“This is the first time we’ve ever finished second, so the boys should be proud of that,” White said. “We graduate only (diver) Keagan Myers, and although those are tough shoes to fill, the boys are already talking about making another run at it next year.”

Greencastle-Antrim’s Sean Detwiler bettered his seed with a ninth place in the 100 breaststroke.

Lilly Evans

The best girls finisher besides Phillips was Chambersburg’s Margot Ritchie, who posted a time of 57.48 to earn a fifth-place medal.

Trojan girls coach Hali Cormany said, “The four girls that swam this weekend work hard day in and day out and I’m so proud of what they’ve done and what they will continue to do.

“Margot broke her own 100 back team record today by .5 seconds. Lilly (Evans, 26th in 500 free) ended her swim career with a season-best 500 in her last race.”

Waynesboro’s 400 free relay team placed sixth (3:40.63) and the Maidens’ Mady Barker was eighth in the backstroke (59.04).

District 3 Swimming Championships
Saturday’s Results
GIRLS 3A
100 freestyle — 1.Eve Phillips (Way) 51.88; 17.Ruth Phillips (Way) 55.03
500 freestyle — 26.Lilly Evans (Chbg) 5:39.56
100 backstroke — 5.Margot Ritchie (Chbg) 57.48; 8.Mady Barker (Way) 59.04; 11.Calla Hoffman (Chbg) 1:00.53; 22.Audrey Keller (Chbg) 1:02.48
400 freestyle relay — 6.Waynesboro (R.Phillips, Rylie Tritle, E.Phillips, Barker), 3:40.63
—–
GIRLS 2A
100 backstroke — 17.McKenna Seylar (JB), 1:20.01
—–
BOYS 3A
100 freestyle — 7.Amir Tasker (Chbg) 46.56
500 freestyle — 2.Cullen McGraw (Chbg) 4:40.68; 3.Ethan White (Chbg) 4:43.36; 28.Will Yost (Way) 5:09.29
100 backstroke — 6.Cristian Pong (Chbg) 52.47; 21.Xavier Covington (Chbg) 56.79; 23.JB Bonner (Way) 56.89; 25.Griffin Adamek (Chbg) 57.66
100 breaststroke — 9.Sean Detwiler (G-A), 59.88
400 freestyle relay — 2.Chambersburg (Alex Kaczmark, McGraw, White, Tasker) 3:10.01
—–
BOYS 2A
100 breaststroke — 17.Elijah Hopkins (JB) 1:11.49