With school back in session, the Cougars returned to the pool Friday evening against their Concorde Conference foe, Centreville. Celebrating the 13 members of graduating class of 2020 on senior night, Oakton cruised to a near 50-point victory in the girl’s meet (180.5 to 131.5), while the boys emerged victorious in a nail-biter, 160 to 152, once again paced by a dominant first through fourth sweep in diving. With the wins, the girls moved to 5-1 on the season, while the boys remain undefeated at 6-0.

After a furious comeback in the 200 medley relay fell just short, Graham Evers got the Cougar boys on track with a win in 200 freestyle. Wes Kron followed in fourth place with a four second drop from his lifetime best. Despite solid swims throughout the meet, including best times from Kyle McCleskey and Cameron Dearman in 200 IM, Isaac Swanson in 50 free, all 4 swimmers in 100 fly (Joe Wong, Wes Kron, James Piccolo, and Bennet Guggenmos), the Cougars found themselves down 35 points. An impressive first (Caleb Yu), second (Derek Liu), third (Michael Kenny) finish in the 500 free turned the tide. In 100 backstroke, best times from Justin Chen and Chase Koller to finish third and fourth provided critical points, but the one-two finish from senior captains Joe Wong and Kyle McCleskey, on senior night, in the 100 breaststroke, proved to be the difference. With the margin narrowed, the Oakton divers (Spencer Dearman, Josh Shipley, John DeFranco, and Nico Shuster), for the second week in a row, carried the Cougars to a win.

Next week, the Cougars will take on their crosstown rival, the Madison Warhawks, at Oak Marr Rec Center starting at 6:00pm. Future Cougars are invited to join the team on deck prior to the start of the meet at 5:30pm to meet coaches and cheer with the team.