On Thursday, Jan. 22, the Northampton Konkrete Kids welcomed the Liberty High School Hurricanes for a home swim meet that would remain the hearts of this never-surrender team for months to come. The evening would unfold with numerous tight races, clutch relay performances, and standout swims across the lineup, resulting in a hard-fought score 95–90 victory over Liberty. The win showcased the K-Kids’ depth and resilience, with multiple swimmers delivering season-best times and the meet itself coming down to one final relay.

As had been the case earlier in the week, Northampton set the tone with a razor-close finish in the meet-opening 200-yard medley relay. The team of Josiah Hippert, Nate Scheirer, Toby Scott, and Logan Saylor touched in 1:39.01, just two hundredths off the pool record and narrowly ahead of Liberty’s A relay team. The win set the tone for a night where Northampton would repeatedly deliver under pressure.

In the 200 freestyle, junior Logan Saylor and senior Nick Isaac powered to second and third-place finishes. Their combined points helped Northampton maintain an early lead despite Liberty’s Darren Nguyen taking first in the event.

The sprint events proved equally crucial. Hippert captured the 50 freestyle in a district qualifying 22.85, holding off a fast Liberty field. Scott and Joseph Kennedy followed with a one-two finish in the 100 freestyle, with Scott clocking 50.77 and Joseph close behind at 51.84.

Northampton’s depth shone in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly, where the team stacked up high-value finishes. Scheirer and Scott went second and third in the individual medley, both earning district cuts. Saylor dominated the 100 butterfly, clinching victory in a blistering 53.13, while Reed Burkhart added a crucial third-place finish in the fly, continuing a strong season for this sophomore.

In the diving events, Liberty took first and second in boys diving, but Northampton’s Mason James secured third with a score of 145.50, preventing Liberty from gaining too much ground. His performance proved pivotal in a meet ultimately decided by just five points.

In the 500 freestyle, Isaac delivered one of the night’s impressive swims, winning in 5:14.97, just shy of the district qualifying standard. Teammate Liam Beck added a third-place finish, giving Northampton valuable breathing room heading into the relays.

In the 200 freestyle relay, Northampton’s A team of Hippert, Scheirer, Jaxson Sandt, and Isaac finished in 1:32.80, just behind Liberty but ahead of Liberty’s B relay—an essential placement that preserved Northampton’s narrow lead.

Coming into the final event of the night, the men’s 400-yard freestyle relay, Liberty led by just one point. Northampton needed to clinch first place to win the meet; anything less would put Northampton just short of a victory. As the starter’s buzzer sounded, Saylor rocketed off the blocks amid screams from the frenzied home crowd, taking the early lead. Teammates Isaac, Kennedy, and Scott would follow Saylor’s intensity as the quartet stormed to victory in 3:25.39, securing the meet with four sub-52 splits. Northampton’s B team of Sandt, Beck, Burkhart, and Shane Foley would follow, securing two more points for the team and cementing the 95-90 victory for the boys.

With this win, Northampton improves its season record to 9-1 and continues to build momentum heading into the postseason, with more district-qualifying times than the team has seen in recent years. The team’s continued strong performance is a testament to the combination of solid leadership, rising underclassman talent, and strong relay chemistry, which continue to position the K-Kids as a formidable force in the pool.

On Wednesday night, the team welcomes William Allen High School for the final home meet of the season. They will then travel to Freedom High School on Thursday for a make-up meet against the Freedom Patriots.