The Mercer Island boys swim team took its first step toward the defense of its three consecutive state titles by nearly doubling the next closest team’s score during the 3A KingCo meet on Saturday at Mary Wayte Pool. The Islanders scored 878.5 points en route to the meet title. Inglemoor, the next closest team, scored 444.5, and Garfield was third with 393.

During the meet, Mercer Island took nine first-place finishes out of 12 events.

The Islanders swept all three relays including a dominating five-second victory against Bellevue in the 200-yard medley relay. Alex Tao, Andy Wingerson, Murray Longbotham and Ian Fisk combined for a time of 1:38.53. The time was a new KingCo meet record.

Overall, Longbotham finished first in two individual events, the 50-yard freestyle (21.47) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:40.18). Both times were new meet records.

Islander Alex Hoff won the 100-yard breaststroke (58.67) and 200-yard freestyle (1:42.62).

Fisk also won the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.06).

Beau Riebe competed in the diving championships at Juanita High School and won with a score of 479.80, 40 points better than the second-place diver.

The Islander win is the eighth such KingCo meet title in as many years. Mercer Island also completed the regular season undefeated.

During the Metro league championships Ethan Hallowell, a sophmore at Eastside Catholic High School and a Mercer Island resident placed first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:40.07) and first in the 100-yard backstroke (51.37). Both times qualified him for Automatic All American status.

Hallowell and all the Mercer Island High School swimmers will compete at 10 a.m. on Saturday during the district meet held at the University of Washington’s Hec Ed Pool by Husky stadium.