Central Catholic’s Gabe Castano and Salisbury’s Mahlon Reihman have had an annual rivalry going in the 100 freestyle at districts. Reihman has won the past three meetings between the two, but this year’s race was the closest of them all, with Castano finishing just :00.02 behind Reihman for the top spot.

Thanks to a strong time in the 100, Castano, who resides in the Parkland School District, also received a spot in the PIAA Swimming Championships. The performance, combined with Castano’s win in the 50 freestyle, will give him two shots at individual gold in states.

“It’s really a great relationship between me and Mahlon,” he said. “We train together and are both on PAC (Parkland Aquatic Club), so we’ve become good friends and we really push each other. We both really fight to win, but in the end, we don’t ever hold grudges or feel animosity if we don’t win, because we know the other guy really worked for it. We just shake hands and go back to being friends.”

Even with the second place finish in the 100 freestyle, Castano amassed enough points in districts to win the Dennis McGinley Award, given to the best swimmer on both the boys and girls sides in the District 11 Championship.

“That’s really an honor,” said Castano. “I wasn’t really thinking too much about that, I was just focusing on the events, but to hear your name called for that, is really an honor.”

Castano went on to win the 50 freestyle at states in a state record time of 20.50, knocking off the record set in 2011 by Holy Ghost Prep’s Daniel Gosek (20.57). He also topped his pal Reihman again in the 100, winning in 44.78 while Reihman took second in 45.29.

Castano anchored the Vikings’ 200 freestyle relay team to a seventh place finish at states, swimming behind teammates Zachary Johnston, Andrew Waldron and Justin Burda. The foursome of Burda, Daniel Chlebove, Waldron and Castano also placed 10th in the 400 freestyle relay as Central Catholic’s boys finished in seventh place as a team at states.

During the District 11 Swimming Championships, Castano was awarded the EPC Swimmer of the Year Award after compiling the highest score in a point system based on EPC meets during the regular season.

“It all comes down to the amount of work that I put into it, so I’m very happy with that,” said Castano.

Central Catholic diver Jamilie Atiyeh, who also lives in the Parkland School District, competed in Saturday’s Class 2A girls diving championships at states. Atiyeh, a sophomore competing in her first state meet, was seeded 15th and out-did her seeding with an eight-place finish and a state medal.

“I had a good start,” she said. “I had a couple rough dives in the middle. I was happy I could bring it back in the end. I moved up four places in the last three dives. I was really happy to get to eighth place as a sophomore.”

Atiyeh was pleased with her performance after missing the regular season with an illness. She returned for districts and took first place in Class 2A.

“I couldn’t go to school,” she said. “I couldn’t get out of bed. It was scary. I was in the hospital for two weeks. It ended up being a whole string of things that were wrong. I recovered and I’m back.”

With nine years of gymnastics in her background, she took to diving and has excelled in just her first full year at the sport. She plans to return to states and get back to the medal stand in future seasons.

“I’m hoping to get to the top,” Atiyeh said. “Knowing I got this far with being out all season it gives me high expectations for next year.”

Atiyeh’s teammate Grace Peoples also competed at states and placed 14th.

Angela Castano took 29th place in the 50 freestyle.

The Viking foursome of Emma Luchetti, Erin Chlebove, Grace Johnson and Angela Castano placed 21st at states in the 200 freestyle relay.

The Central boys team had a third relay that qualified for states as Waldron, Charlie Li, Burda and Zachary Johnston finished 12th in the medley relay.

Burda competed individually in the 100 butterfly, finishing 24th with a time of 54.28.