Campbell, 200 medley relay win titles for Flintridge Sacred Heart swimming

PASADENA — Two of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s most impressive streaks continued Tuesday at the Mission League swimming and diving championships.

Unfortunately for the Tologs, their pursuit of a fifth consecutive team title came up short against a resurgent Harvard-Westlake girls’ program, which captured its first league championship since 2010 and 21st overall.

Christina Campbell won the 500-yard freestyle for a third straight year in 5 minutes, 10.01 seconds and contributed to Flintridge Sacred Heart securing its sixth consecutive 200 medley relay title in 1:53.31, helping the Tologs accumulate 534 points, trailing Harvard-Westlake (685) and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (541) at Rose Bowl Aquatic Center.

Flintridge Sacred Heart still placed second overall in league after defeating Notre Dame, 99-71, in their April 7 showdown, giving the Tologs 28 total points from the combined results of dual meets and league finals. Harvard-Westlake had 35 and Notre Dame finished with 27.

“Harvard-Westlake was the best team in our league all year long and they showed it again here,” Flintridge Sacred Heart Coach Steve Bergen said. “We’ve had an incredible four years and we’ve been fortunate to have great health and great depth and great luck in our favor, but this year it was tough for our girls trying to overcome some health issues with a few of our swimmers.

“Considering what we came to battle with, we still made Harvard-Westlake and Notre Dame sweat for half the meet, so I’m really proud of how the girls competed and it was a great learning experience for them to prepare for next year since we return almost our entire team.”

Harvard-Westlake halted Flintridge Sacred Heart’s winning streak at 44 consecutive dual meets, including 25 in a row in league, with a 115-68 victory Thursday. But with the league passing a rule last year that led to the combined performances of dual meets and finals determining the champion instead of just regular season results, it still gave the Tologs a window of opportunity to challenge for the title.

Flintridge Sacred Heart remained tied with Harvard-Westlake through the 50 freestyle and still held an advantage on Notre Dame after the 100 butterfly, but both teams had too much depth down the stretch.

“This year was definitely a transition year for us, but I couldn’t be more proud of the way our team stood up to the challenge,” said Campbell, who increased her career totals to four individual league titles and nine gold medals overall, including relays. “I just wanted the girls to enjoy themselves no matter what, because when you have fun, you swim your fastest.”

Despite graduating Kirsten Vose – an NCAA relay champion and All-American in her freshman season at USC – and Vanderbilt-bound Kate Herrill not swimming her senior year while addressing health issues, the Tologs relied on veterans Caitlin Smith and Campbell to continue their success in the 200 medley relay, teaming with Amy Altman and Emily Gray to capture the title.

“We take a lot of pride in that relay and we really wanted to win it again,” Campbell said. “I knew when I touched the wall that my teammates could do it. They all did a great job.”

Campbell placed second in the 200 freestyle in 1:53.41, trailing Harvard-Westlake junior Claudia Wong (1:52.49), who also won the 100 butterfly in 57.57.

Fiona Mass, Julia Martin, Gray and Campbell finished third in the 400 free relay in 3:43.17. Altman, Martin, Mass and Smith placed fifth in the 200 free relay in 1:46.30 for the Tologs.

Mass (2:19.89) and Altman (2:20.76) were third and fourth in the 200 individual medley, with Gray placing fourth in the 100 free (55.87) and fifth in the 50 free (26.02). Altman (1:12.93) took third in the 100 breaststroke and Camille Katz (1:14.73) was sixth.

In boys’ action, St. Francis finished sixth with 234 points and Loyola captured its 10th consecutive title with 738 points.

Michael Humphrey was the top finisher by taking fourth in the 500 free in 4:55.73 for the Golden Knights, who also finished fourth in the 200 medley relay in 1:46.09.

“My butterfly wasn’t the greatest ever, so that 500 free was a redemption swim,” said Humphrey, who placed ninth in the 100 butterfly in 55.54. “Now I know I can do more. After that 500 free, I felt invincible and I know if I put my mind to it, I can do anything I want. We’ve got a lot of young talent on this team and we haven’t reached our full potential yet, so I think we can come back next year and do much better.”

Noah Hirshon was ninth in the 100 backstroke in 57.59 for St. Francis, which placed eighth in the 200 free relay (1:35.23) and ninth in the 400 free relay (3:32.28).