The Northwood Timberwolves duo that included Derek Hitchens and Andrew Maksymowski took down a total of (2) two individual Northwood High School records at the 2023 Spring H.S. Meet of Champions.   Photos courtesy of Alex Tolkachev.

The only word to describe the Northwood Timberwolves swim team's tremendous results at the 2023 Spring H.S. Meet of Champions is "impactful" because of the astounding overall team results.  A total of 46 Northwood swimmers made that impact during finals at the Mt. SAC Aquatic Center on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College, Saturday April 15, 2023.

The Timberwolves boys were firing on all cylinders as they captured the first place overall (713.5 points) to cap one of the most spectacular meets in the program's history.  Northwood's varsity boys piled points on top of points late Saturday afternoon.  Clovis North garnered 561 for a second place runner-up showing. Throughout the course of the meet, the Timberwolves put individual event swimmers in the top-3 count six times with all three relay teams sweeping the titles.  Each swim contributed to the Timberwolves momentum, and scored points in each of the 10 swimming events.

Northwood's sophomore Derek Hitchens and freshman Andrew Maksymowski led the Timberwolves scoring with 66 points each.  Hitchens demonstrated his prowess winning the 100 backstroke title in 49.56 breaking the Mt. SAC pool record and lowered the 2022 NHS school record.  Hitchens also produced an impressive best in-season 100 butterfly (49.29), as he rode with the waves finishing 2nd overall. Hitchens put up the backstroke split 22.93 in the 200 Medley relay and closed out with a quick 1st leg of 45.99 on the 400 freestyle relay.  Maksymowski reached a personal life-time best in the 500 freestyle in a time of 4:27.26 securing the title, breaking the Mt. SAC pool record, and lowering the 2018 NHS school record.  Maksymowski provided another strong individual performance in the 200 freestyle turning in a powerful 1:38.54 placing 2nd overall.  Maksymowski contributed towards the record breaking 400 Free relay team with a third leg split of 46.12.

Other strong individual performances included senior Christopher Leung (63 points) in the 200 freestyle with 1:39.07, taking third in finals.  Leung, one of the Timberwolves main breaststroke forces, ended his contributions in individual competition by placing first overall in 55.36. The senior contributed in providing Northwood with the fastest splits in the 200 freestyle relay (20.65) and 400 freestyle relay (45.55). 

In addition to the 60+ point swimmer trio, sophomore Will Chen provided 56 points with two fourth places in the 200 freestyle (1:39.64) and 100 freestyle (46.43).  Chen anchored the 200 medley race with a 20.46 split, and closed his relay entries with a 20.70 anchor split in the 200 freestyle relay.

“I think these past couple seasons have been building blocks for our entire team, where each season has been a 'stepping stone' to the next level," Northwood's Coach Alex Nieto said. "Today's results are another step up from this season, and our final 'stepping stone' is hopefully a CIF title this year."  

Northwood's Lady T-Wolves emerged from the waters with a fourth-place overall finish (332 points). Northwood's girls had strong performances throughout the lineup, the swimmers' times reflective of the improvement they've shown throughout the 2023 season.  

Senior Taylor Inouye was a driving force for the Lady T-Wolves, exemplifying the girl's firepower as the top scoring contributor with 50 points.  Inouye had a quick and explosive start in the 200 IM, which propelled her to a great breakout that carried through the race recording a season-best time of 2:12.53 for sixth place. Inouye was all business in the 100 Breast, as she rocketed a 32.31 front-half coming home strong for an eight place 1:08.91. 

Sophomore Gabrielle Lan (34 points) shot off the blocks with speed in the 200 Free with a swift 1:55.50 that put her in 11th place.  Lan took 15th in the 100 butterfly turning the 50 mark in 27.43 holding consistency into the wall as she for 58.67. 

Senior Addison Cadena (26 points) made her presence known in the 500 freestyle individual event contributing a 12th place with a 5:18.58.  Cadena followed suit placing 21st in the 100 butterfly with 59.30.  

“The girls team has shown great team chemistry and camaraderie all season," Northwood's Coach Alex Nieto said. "This is a really great group of girl swimmers who want the best for each other.  It truly was awesome to watch them compete tonight."

Boys Top 10 of 44 Team Scores:     Girls Top 10 of 46 Team Scores:

1. Northwood  713.5                                                          1. Clovis North  582.5
2. Clovis North  561                                                             2. Coronado High School  580
3. De La Salle  498                                                              3. Carondelet High School  570
4. Damien  462                                                                    4. Northwood  332
5. University  381                                                                 5. Mark Keppel  287
6. Mark Keppel  322                                                             6. La Canada  287
7. Eleanor Roosevelt  306                                                    7. University  273
8. Troy  302                                                                          8. San Luis Obispo  262
9. San Luis Obispo  258                                                       9. Ayala Ruben  250.5
10. Los Osos  241                                                                10. Walnut  237

Additional TOP 18 Event Winners:

Relay Events Winners:

TWITTER: @NHSSWIM1