TAMPA — Plant defended its girls title with 254 points and the Berkeley Prep boys scored 256 to win after an eight-year absence in Saturday’s City Relays at the Bobby Hicks Pool.
Plant’s boys also tied defending champion Jesuit’s 236 as runnerup in the 24-team field. And Berkeley Prep’s girls were third at 208.
“I think we were more relaxed this year and that might have helped,” Plant coach Gil Gonzalez said of his team’s repeat. “This year, everything fell into place.”
Plant and Newsome each won two girls relays. Plant’s victories came in the 200 freestyle and 400 free while Newsome had firsts in the 500 free crescendo and 400 medley.
Freshman Morgan Tankersley was among the Panthers’ top swimmers, noted Gonzalez, adding, “Morgan’s the real deal and it just made it easier to spread out.”
Berkeley Prep returned to the City Relays, in part, due to pressure from the team’s swimmers.
“The kids wanted to come back. They’ve been begging me to come back,” coach Kevin Rosepapa said. “It’s always rewarding to come here. Plus, we’ve had some great swims.”
Berkeley Prep’s boys racked up four victories.
While the swimmers were out to win, the camaraderie of an all-relay event was not lost on such competitors as Plant’s Tylor Heath.
“It’s a great time for team bonding,” he said.
Newsome, which took fourth in the girls relays, won the Spirit Award.