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WATERVILLE — Carter VerLee added four medals to his trophy case Friday, but the Falmouth sophomore was quick to keep things in perspective. 

“I think just racing friends is fun to do,” said VerLee. “I pretty much know everyone here. I just like swimming. It’s always fun.”

VerLee’s results helped lead the Navigators to their second consecutive Class A boys swimming and diving state championship Friday at the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center at Colby College. The Navigators also won the girls title — their first since taking the Class B crown in 2009.

The Falmouth boys finished with 274 points. Thornton Academy (195) and South Portland (182) joined the Navigators on the podium. 

The battle for the girls team title was a bit closer, but Falmouth scored 301 points to beat the Cony/Gardiner/Hall-Dale co-op (252), Thornton (242) and Mt. Ararat/Brunswick (241). 

VerLee started his day with first-place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 42.95 seconds) and 100 freestyle (47.33). Then, he was part of two relay victories. 

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Falmouth won the 200 freestyle relay (1:31.59) with the quartet of VerLee, senior Malcolm Sprague, freshman Sam Sprague and junior Varada Nguyen.

The Navigators also prevailed in the final event, the 400 freestyle (3:24.26), with VerLee, Malcolm and Sam Sprague, and junior Ben Zaslavsky. 

“(VerLee’s) a stud, definitely,” Falmouth coach Patrick McCardle said. “He’s shown it a couple times. Big races, shows up. Getting faster and faster each year.”

Malcolm Sprague took home an individual title, prevailing in the backstroke (52.29).

In the girls meet, Falmouth won only one event — the 200 freestyle relay (1:41.71), with seniors Vanessa Napolitano and Kate Gorsuch and juniors Emily Chace and Calla Hehmeyer. But the Navigators showcased their depth, as six swimmers posted top-six finishes in individual events.

“(The boys and girls) swam fast, they always concentrated, they always showed up,” McCardle said. “It’s a good feeling.”

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Freshman Caden LaPlante of Messalonskee set a state record in the boys 100 butterfly with a time of 48.81. He also won the 100 breaststroke in 57.37.

Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Lewiston senior Gabby Roy, Thornton junior Kenzie Shields and Mt. Abram junior Layla Hammer each won two girls events.

Roy claimed victories in the 50 freestyle (24.38) and 100 butterfly (58.40), Shields took first in the 200 freestyle (1:55.20) and 500 freestyle (5:07.04), and Hammer won the 100 free (53.17) and 100 backstroke (57.49).

“It’s a great way to end my high school season,” Roy said. “It’s been really sad thinking this is all coming to an end, so it’s like one last hurrah before my season’s done.”

Deering/Portland senior Andy Marvin won the boys 50 freestyle (22.05), which he said came as a relief after a season in which he didn’t perform up to his expectations. 

“I swam the 50 freshman and sophomore year and finished middle of the pack, and last year I didn’t swim it,” Marvin said. “So it was good to come back this year and just kind of finish strong and end the 50 on a good note.” 

Jimmy covers sports for the Sun Journal, primarily contributing to the Varsity Maine team. He is from Hagerstown, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Richmond in May of 2025 with a B.A. in journalism...

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