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Photos by Robbie Hammer/The Connection
Yorktown High girls swimmer Shelby Tarkenton was a third place finisher in the 500-freestyle race at districts.

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Greg Benson was part of the Yorktown boys foursome which captured first place in the 400-yard free relay.

The Yorktown High girls swim team's dominance of district competition over the years continued last weekend as the Patriots captured another championship banner at the National District Swim and Dive Championships. The two-day competition took place at the Providence Recreation Center in Falls Church.
"I think they did a great job," said Yorktown head coach Dave Lassiter, of his girls team. "They were very spirited and excited to move on to the next level."
The Yorktown girls have been district champs on an annual basis going back to 1984.
Yorktown accumulated 583 team points on way to last week's title. Finishing second to Yorktown was Edison (318.5), followed by third place Stuart (306), fourth place Washington-Lee (271.5) and fifth place Falls Church (188). The sixth to eighth place finishers were Loudoun Valley (182), Mount Vernon (159) and Wakefield (45).
Meanwhile, like the girls, the Yorktown boys team garnered a district crown as well at last week's championships. The Patriots (365 team points) edged a tough Stuart team (360). Finishing third was Falls Church (335), followed by fourth place Edison (314) and fifth place Mount Vernon (289). Rounding out the district pack were Washington-Lee (181), Loudoun Valley (146) and Wakefield (89).
Stuart appeared to be on way to a team victory before a disqualification in a late-meet relay cost them a chance for the title. Yorktown took advantage and claimed the championship.
"We were neck to neck with Stuart," said Lassiter. "Our guys did what they could do [to win]."
Both the Yorktown boys and girls squads will be participating at this weekend's Northern Region Championships. A year ago, the Patriot girls finished second in the region.

SEVEN YORKTOWN SWIMMERS, girls and boys combined, took first place finishes in individual races at districts. For the Patriot girls, Katy Hinkle won both the 200-freestyle (1:55.20) and 100-backstroke (59.27) races. Also winning two events each for the Yorktown girls were: Thea Kromer (200-IM and 100-fly) and Abby Ortmayer (100-free and 100-breaststroke). Kristen Wolla was first in the 50-freestyle and Kaitlin Wolla won the 500-free race. In diving, Meg Alderman finished first (408.05 points).
The Yorktown girls won three relay races — the 200-medley (Hinkle, Kristen Wolla, Kaitlin Wolla and Kromer); the 200-free (Ortmayer, Kristen Wolla, Kromer and Hinkle) and the 400-free (Edmi Vazquez-Ramons, Kaitlin Wolla, Hilary Stetekluh and Ortmayer).
For the Yorktown boys, AJ Dunn (200-IM) and Mike Allen (100-back) both won events. The Patriots 400-free relay team of Wren Rudolph, Greg Benson, Allen and Dunn were also victorious.
Coach Lassiter credited the Yorktown divers with scoring well to contribute to the team title. Three Patriots divers — Jake Ward (4th overall), Chris Taylor (6th) and Brian Coonce (7th) — all finished in the top seven.
The coach is looking for another strong showing from his divers at regionals.
"I want them to do the best they can and be consistent," he said.