Robb and Co. Have Their Day in the Sun : Swimming: Sprint star remains undefeated in 50-, 100-yard freestyle events as Crescenta Valley swamps Royal Invitational field.

The grassy field adjacent to Rancho Simi Park Community Pool gave one the impression Saturday that the Roy al High Invitational didn’t appear to be the most intense of competitions.

Several dozen tents and canopies shielded swimmers under a cloudless sky. Towels and blankets covered every speck of green space, making the scene resemble an outdoor summer concert more than a demanding elite swim event.

But even with all of the potential distractions, Jeff Robb and the Crescenta Valley High boys’ team were able to keep their focus.

The senior sprinter remained undefeated this season in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events and helped the Falcons to an overwhelming team victory with 211 points, 44 more than second-place Westlake.

Robb, a member of Crescenta Valley’s 1993 Southern Section Division II championship team, has emerged as the Falcons’ sprint star, taking over from the graduated John Jenkins who set a Division II record in the 50 freestyle in the 1993 championships.

Although his times haven’t approached Jenkins’ record-setting efforts in either the 50 or 100 freestyle, Robb’s season-best 100 time of 47.92 was nearly 1.5 seconds faster than those of his closest competitors.

In his 100 heat, Robb took an early lead in the first 25 yards, slowly increased his advantage and defeated the field by a body length in 48.66. Earlier in the day, Robb timed 22.12 in the 50 freestyle.

“I worked this race pretty hard. I wanted to stay unbeaten,” Robb said. “We’ve been training hard the entire season to get back our championship and we’ve just been building the entire season.”

Robb wasn’t the only Crescenta Valley swimmer to maintain his undefeated run. Steve Kim remained unchallenged in both the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley.

In the 200 IM, Kim (1:57.82) defeated John Won of Burbank by slightly more than a full second. In the 100 breaststroke, Kim led a 1-2-3 Crescenta Valley sweep with a time of 1:00.25.

Won finished second in the 500 freestyle in the Division II championships last year, but he has struggled in distance races since a head cold earlier in the season interrupted his training for three weeks.

Still, Won improved his season-best time in the 500 by nearly eight seconds (4:48.52) in defeating the favorite, Nick Leclerc of Westlake (4:53.55).

“(Won) competed in the Beverly Hills Invitational against some good competition a few weeks ago and just didn’t have it,” Burbank Coach Jon Olin said. “This is much more where he wants to be.”

In the girls’ meet, Hart (200 points) took advantage of its strong relay teams to defeat Royal (161) for the team title.

After losing the 200 medley relay by .03 seconds, the Indians rebounded to win both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.