The Palmetto boys' swim team dominated the field Saturday afternoon at the Dade County Youth Fair Meet, taking first place in four events and second in five others.

The Panthers topped the 13-team field with 157 points, followed by Belen Jesuit at 134 and Gulliver Prep at 39.

``We had good momentum and strategy going into the meet,'' Palmetto senior Steven Lichtner said. ``We were missing one of our key swimmers in [Michael] Saco, but I think the rest of the team did a good job in their respective events.''

Lichtner won the 50 freestyle (21.81 seconds), 100 free (47.04) and swam the first leg of the first-place 200 free relay (1:30.06). The senior standout also swam the final leg of the second-place 200 medley relay (1:40.21).

For the Wolverines, Carlos Omana had a standout meet as he set county records in the 200 IM and 500 free. The junior swam 1:53.91 in the 200 IM and 4:35.62 in the 500 free.

``I talked to my coaches before the meet, and we talked about times, so I knew I had a shot at the records,'' Omana said of his record-setting day. ``My strategy was simple. Train hard all week and prepare for opponents I know very well.''

On the girls' side, Doral Academy took first place with 124 points, followed closely by Palmetto with 120 and Ransom rounding out the top three with 74.

``We swam well all meet and had good times,'' Palmetto girls' coach Cullen Bullock said. ``This meet was a good opportunity to see where we are early in the season.''

Melissa and Vanessa Moreno, who each won events in the 200 free and 500 free, paced the Firebirds. The duo also finished fourth in the 200-medley relay.

Junior Chinyere Pigot took first in the 100 free (54.12) and second in the 50 free (24.79), 200 free relay (1:43.49), and 400 free relay (3:46.52).

• Boys' team results: Palmetto 157, Belen 134, Gulliver 39, Coral Gables 39, Ransom 34, Miami Beach 30, Westminster Christian 25, Sunset 15, Coral Reef 15, Doral Academy 14, LaSalle 13, Goleman 11, Killian 1.; Girls' team results: Doral Academy 124, Palmetto 120, Ransom 74, Carrollton 38, Miami Beach 37, Coral Reef 34, Gulliver 30, Westminster Christian 23, Coral Gables 18, Miami Country Day 12, Lourdes 10, Southwest 6, LaSalle 3, Goleman 1; Boys' results: 200 medley relay: Belen (1:37.79); 200 free: Andy Vazquez (BEL, 1:43.96); 200 IM: Carlos Omana (BEL, 1:53.91); 50 free: Steven Lichtner (PAL, 21.81); 1 meter diving: Osvel Molina (GOL, 487.15); 100 fly: Andy Vazquez (BEL, 52.38); 100 free: Steven Lichtner (PAL, 47.04); 500 free: Carlos Omana (BEL, 4:35.62); 200 free relay: Palmetto (1:30.06); 100 back: Asher Garcia (PAL, 54.38); 100 breast: Andrew Smiddy (GUL, 1:00.61); 400 free relay: Belen (3:12.66).

• Girls' results: 200 medley relay: Palmetto (1:54.39); 200 free: Melissa Moreno (DOR, 2:00.62); 200 IM: Daniela Johnson (PAL, 2:12.64); 50 free: Ashleigh Johnson (RAN, 24.57); 1-meter diving: Morgan Matson (CAR, 404.10); 100 fly: Veronica Gruelach (MB, 1:00.30); 100 free: Chinyere Pigot (DOR, 54.12); 500 free: Vanessa Moreno (DOR, 5:21.69); 200 free relay: Palmetto (1:42.59); 100 back: Brianna Selts (PAL, 1:02.89); 100 breast: Gabriela Garcia (PAL, 1:10.70); 400 free relay: Palmetto (3:46.38).

CROSS-COUNTRY

Ferguson's boys secured its first major team title of the season by winning the Spanish River Invitational in Boca Raton on Saturday morning. Jose Estevez won the individual title with a time of 16 minutes, 10.16 seconds to lead the Falcons, who placed four runners in the top 10.

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