The Parkland boys swim team was unable to defend its home pool in a stinging 114-72 defeat to the Emmaus Green Hornets on Feb. 14 at Parkland High School. With the victory, Emmaus earned their 13th Eastern Pennsylvania Conference title and finalized an undefeated EPC season (11-2 overall). Parkland dropped to 8-1-1 in the EPC and 8-2-1 overall.

“They’re very resilient,” said Trojan head coach Robert Robitaille of his squad before the meet. “As far as training goes I’m known for just every day is worse then the next. So it takes a very Marine Corp-style resiliency to want to get back to it every day.”

Several Trojans showed that resiliency by offering outstanding performances, even in defeat. Gavin Webb earned first place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:47.20, barely ahead of Emmaus’ Nick Soares at 1:47.84 and Luke Rautzhan at 1:47.88. The Trojan star also won the 500-freestyle in 4:46.99, easily in front of Rautzhan at 4:54.26.

Parkland’s James Zhang took the 200 individual medley in 2:00.96, about three seconds ahead of teammate Shawn Kushner (2:04.05).

But Zhang wasn’t done, displaying good skill and technique in claiming second place in the 100 backstroke at 56.48 behind winner Gio Germano of Emmaus at 55.64.

In the 100 fly, Trojan David Engler took home third place honors at 58.92 behind two Green Hornets - Gio Germano and Patrick Kuzdzal.

Great teamwork was the reason the Trojans claimed the 200 freestyle relay. Gavin and Sidney Webb, Kushner and Zhang each offered sterling swimming to check in at 1:32.93.

The Trojans also had a dynamic display of diving from Logan Choma, who finished second overall with 290.50 points, and Kole Cannon who took third at 283.40.

While the Trojan came up on the short-end against their Cedar Crest Boulevard rivals, Robitaille said his squad’s dedication to swimming is providing them with valuable lessons now and in the future.

“It’s about being mentally tough to survive the real world,” he said. “It’s all about making sure they’re mentally tough enough to accept whatever comes their way and work as hard as they can.”

Emmaus 114, Parkland 72

200 medley relay: 1. Emmaus (Michael Iacobelli, Evan Bova, Gio Germano, Connor Shriver) 1:39.19, 2. Emmaus (Patrick Kuzdzal, Jack Sharp, AJ Lamack, Matthew Gertner), 3. Parkland (Isaiah Moreef, Nicholas Carter, David Engler, Karl Schmidt).

200 freestyle: 1. Gavin Webb (P) 1:47.20, 2. Nick Soares (E), 3. Luke Rautzhan (E).

200 individual medley: 1. James Zhang (P) 2:00.96, 2. Shawn Kushner (P), 3. Evan Bova (P).

50 freestyle: 1. Devin Metzger (E) 22.25, 2. Connor Shriver (E), 3. Michael Iacobelli (E).

Diving: 1. Brendan McCourt (E) 306.5, 2. Logan Choma (P), 3. Kole Cannon (P).

100 butterfly: 1. Gio Germano (E) 53.97, 2. Patrick Kuzdzal (E), 3. David Engler (P).

100 freestyle: 1. Devin Metzger (E) 49.702, 2. Connor Shriver (E), 3. Sidney Webb (P).

500 freestyle: 1. Gavin Webb (P) 4:46.99, 3. Luke Rautzhan (E), 3. Nick Soares (E).

200 freestyle relay: 1. Parkland (Sydney Webb, Shawn Kushner, Gavin Webb, James Zhang) 1:32.93, 2. Emmaus (Matthew Gertner, Devin Metzger, Luke Rautzhan, Nick Soares), Emmaus (Cooper Kocon, Paul Petre, Patrick Kuzdzal, James Manley).

100 backstroke: 1. Gio Germano (E) 55.64, 2. James Zhang (P), 3. AJ Lamack (E).

200 breaststroke: 1. Michael Iacobeeli (E) 1:01.2, 2. Shawn Kushner (P), 3. Evan Bova (E).

400 freestyle relay: 1. Emmaus (Paul Petre, Luke Rautzhan, Connor Shriver, Gio Germano) 3:21.76, 2. Parkland (Sydney Webb, Gavin Webb, Shawn Kushner, James Zhang), 3. Emmaus (Cooper Kocon, Nick Soares, Devin Metzger, Michael Iacobelli).