The George Mason High School boys and girls swim teams competed in an afternoon tri-meet against teams from Manassas Park and Central high schools last Saturday at Manassas Park Community Center. The Mason boys team won over Manassas Park 81-13, and came out ahead of Central, 71-23. The Mason girls team won over Manassas Park 83-11, and beat Central 76-17.

Mason swimmers built on their strong start to the season, besting their competitors and setting more new records. More Mason athletes earned qualifing times last Saturday for the state meet, and some have earned their place in more than one event. Now, Mason swimmers have earned spots in 12 of 22 events at states, and at only two meets into the regular season.

Earning spots in state competition at the tri-meet were sophomore Jared Britton (boys 50-yard freestyle), sophomore Beth Cashin (girls 50-yard freestyle), senior Lucas Cherry (boys 100-yard freestyle), freshman Miller Surette (500-yard freestyle) and junior Nick Roberson (boys 100-yard backstroke).

Surette and Cashin both dropped their times in the 100-yard breaststroke and set new team records of 1:03.87 and 1:10.53, respectively. Newcomer Surette continues to best long-standing records, at this meet beating a three-year old record time of 5:10.02 in the boys 500-yard freestyle with his time of 5:04.77. Cherry beat his old record in the boys 100-yard freestyle with a new time of 0:48.58.

The Mason teams will swim at Ida Lee Rec Center on Friday against Loudoun High School and on Saturday at Manassas Park Community Center against Strasburg High School.