Hart Finishes First Where It Counts

Jason Leas, Igor Bistric, Derek Ervin and David Deloria teamed to win the 400-yard freestyle relay for Hart High in 3:26.89 in the last event to clinch the boys’ championship of the Royal Invitational on Saturday at Rancho Simi Community Park.

The Indians, with 356 points, broke a seven-year hold on the title by Crescenta Valley, which held a 318-316 lead going into the final event but finished second in the race in 3:28.64, and in the meet with 352 points.

Quartz Hill was third with 212 points.

Hart won all three relays, accounting for 120 points, and won only one individual event and had no divers competing.

Crescenta Valley entered Saturday’s competition with a combined 34 points from Steve Grivno, who finished fourth, Daniel Fekete, who was sixth, and Mike Hoy, who wound up eighth, in diving last weekend.

Hart overcame that and the dismal weather.

“I came this close this morning to picking up the phone and telling the buses to just forget about it,” Hart Coach Steve Neale said, holding his thumb and forefinger nearly together. “I’m glad I didn’t make it. This really is a good win for us.”

It was a good showing for Crescenta Valley, which got victories from James Jenkins in the 50 and 100 freestyles but was without him for the 400 freestyle relay, which he usually anchors.

Jenkins left after helping the Falcons to a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay because of a basketball commitment.

“I was surprised we were leading going into the last race,” said William Ban of Crescenta Valley, who placed second in the 200 and 500 freestyles and anchored the 400 relay in Jenkins’ place. “I thought they’d already pulled away.”

Ervin outpaced Travis Schmitt on the third leg of the 400 relay, giving anchor Deloria nearly a body-length lead, which he held at the end.

Bistric won the 100 backstroke in 55.41 seconds.

Hart got two second-place showings from Mike Linn, who finished behind Jenkins in both sprints, and two from Deloria in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley.

Tyler Clark of Granada Hills won the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.

Peter McVey won the 100 breaststroke for Quartz Hill.

Crescenta Valley won the girls’ meet for the second consecutive season, scoring 310 points, with Hart second with 267 and Royal third at 237.

Alexis Sheridan was second in the 200 freestyle at 1:55.79 and the 500 freestyle in 5:07.24 for the Falcons.

Freshman Brett Shiflett of Oaks Christian beat Sheridan both times in 1:55.71 and 5:03.95.

Her sister, Nicole Shiflett of Agoura, won the 50 freestyle in 25.33 and the 100 freestyle in 54.61.

Christine Creek of Royal won the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.81 and the 200 individual medley in 2:10.49.