Two-time defending champions Northwood High School boys showed dominance once again defeating area IUSD high schools Beckman, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Portoloa, Sage Hill, University and Woodbridge to lift the plaque and banner at the 2023 Pacific Coast League Championships.  Photo courtesy of Alex Tolkachev.

For the third straight year, the Northwood Timberwolves boys swim team closed its regular season as champions earning their Pacific Coast League best title overall against seven member high schools at the Beckman High School Aquatic Center on Friday, April 28, 2023.

The Timberwolves not only successfully defended its PCL title for the third consecutive time, but showcased a collective brilliance of several individual and relay meet/school record-breaking performances.

The Timberwolves left a lasting paw print by winning titles in five of eight individual events, and garnered a top-three individual finishes ten times.  Northwood outlasted second-place Portola by a huge score differential, 522.5-419.  The best measure of Northwood's depth came in on the 200-500 freestyles, 200 IM, 100 Fly and 100 Back where the Timberwolves placed sixteen swimmers in the top eight.  Out of the 2,892 possible points in the meet, Northwood's varsity boys took a whopping 20.00%.

The Timberwolves began and ended the night with titles in two of the three relays, taking the 200 medley relay (1:33.41) and 400 free relay with a new Pacific Coast League record ().

College commit Christopher Leung (Northwestern University) had a fantastic finals competition by flashing his dominance as a double winner in the 100 fly (48.33), and 100 breast (54.52) breaking the meet and school records.  Leung would additionally take part in the 200 and 400 relay teams anchoring legs (20.34) and (45.00).  Leung earned Male Swimmer of the Meet honors after some incredible performances that resulted in the most total ranking points on the male side (44 points).

Other notable title winners were sophomore Derek Hitchens turning in a best individual title performance winning the 100 backstroke with a 48.96 lowering the school record.  Hitchens once again helped the Timberwolves tremendously touching 2nd in his individual 100 free (45.19).  Hitchens led off in the meet record breaking 400 free relay team splitting (45.75) and relay title win in the 200 medley putting forth a mind-numbing 50 backstroke split (22.56).  

Freshman Andrew Maksymowski swam a 4:31.33 to take the title in the 500 freestyle.  Maksymowski paralleled this success with putting forth a strong effort placing 2nd in the 200 free (1:39.12).  Maksymowski impressed in the freestyle splits with (21.31) 200 free relay and (46.59) meet record breaking 400 free relay. 

Sophomore Will Chen also followed suit winning his individual title with a lifetime best 200 freestyle (1:39.02).  Chen continued to be a key scoring contributor for the Timberwolves churning out a 4:34.75 in the 500 free notching another season best.  Chen third legged the 200 free relay splitting a 20.37, and 45.09 second leg on the meet record breaking 400 free relay team.

The Northwood Lady T-Wolves achieved no individual titles on the day, but the squad stayed firmly in the third place position throughout the meet.  Northwood's girls finished overall in a very respectable third place against the Portola Bulldogs and defending PCL Champion Woodbridge Warrior girls.  The Lady T-Wolves scored with notching two top-three placements, and nine times in the top-eight.  Ultimately, the meet ended with Northwood's girls earning third with 380.5 points to second place Portola (447.5) and first place Woodbridge (545.5).

Sophomore Gabrielle Lan showed off her freestyle capabilities with capturing a 3rd place in the 200 free (1:55.95).  Senior Taylor Inouye was all business in the 100 breast, as she rocked a 1:55.95 coming home strong for a 3rd place.   

Northwood will look to continue to build on its momentum, and reassert its place as one of the CIF-SS Division 1 swimming powerhouse teams next Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the 2023 CIF-SS D1 Swimming and Diving Championships held at the Riverside Aquatics complex on the campus of Riverside City College.

Boys Team Scores:	Girls Team Scores:
1. Northwood 522.5	1. Woodbridge 545.5
2. Portola 419	2. Portola 447.5
3. Woodbridge 396.5	3. Northwood 380.5
4. University 346	4. University 362
5. Beckman 278	5. Irvine 325
6. Sage Hill 143	6. Beckman 298.5
7. Irvine 190	7. Sage Hill 93
8. Laguna Hills 176	7. Laguna Hills 12

Additional TOP 16 Event Winners:

Relay Event Winners & Statistics:

NHS RECORD BREAKERS - BOYS:

PCL RELAY RECORD BREAKERS - BOYS:

INDIVIDUAL TITLE WINNERS

Photos Courtesy of Alex Tolkachev

Click image for larger version.

Christopher Leung Senior 100 Fly -  48.33 100 Breast -  54.52	Derek Hitchens Sophomore 100 Back -  48.96	Andrew Maksymowski Freshman 500 Free -  4:31.33
Will Chen Sophomore 200 Free -  1:39.02

TWITTER: @NHSSWIM1