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By LAURA LEE, Times Staff WriterHurricanes' boys and girls teams finish second but win overall title.
ST. PETERSBURG - Sure, everyone said they came to have a good time at the Northeast Total Team Challenge Relays, but the music, costumes and horseplay between relays didn't deter heavy traffic around the results board at Northshore Pool.
For the second year in a row the Seminole girls won, outscoring Palm Harbor University 402 to 386. Class 2A power Charlotte took the boys' title, beating Palm Harbor 388 to 368. The Hurricanes walked away with the overall title, beating Seminole by 19.
The Warhawks and Hurricanes dominated the girls competition. So far Seminole has proven to have a slight edge over the Hurricanes, beating them in a dual meet earlier in the week.
Leeann Laing and Teresa Tessier helped the Warhawks better two meet records they set last year in the 200 freestyle and 400 medley relays and also win the 400 yard freestyle relay. Palm Harbor broke its meet records as well, in the 200 medley and 200 backstroke relays and set a record in the 100 medley relay.
Seminole's boys 400 freestyle relay of Alex Metka, Ryan Kearney, Andrew Blazuk and Nick Vilaret came from behind to win the final event over Charlotte, but that last push wasn't enough to move the Warhawks up in points. Charlotte took wins in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke relays to take the boys title.
"I thought it was a battle between Seminole and us," said Palm Harbor's Marc Bentz, who was on the winning 100 freestyle relay. "We didn't know much about (Charlotte)."
Still, Palm Harbor won three other events - the 200 butterfly, 100 medley and 200 breaststroke relays - to give the Hurricanes enough points for the overall championship, which they won for the first time in 2001. Last year they finished second to Seminole.
"It's a real important win, because it sets the pace for the rest of the season," Palm Harbor swimmer Daphna Yasova said.
Osceola set a record in Friday's diving competition. Alex Tilbrook and Kyle Blitch combined for 343.40. East Lake won the girls diving competition behind the efforts of seniors Sarah Ellerby and Katie Zuccolo, who finished at the top of the standings.