Parkland’s boys swimming team may not have won the battle, but they definitely won the war this past weekend at the District 11 Swimming championships.

The Trojans failed to win any gold medals at districts, but their depth and ability to put multiple finishers in the top part of the results gave them enough points to snap a 16-year District 11 winning streak held by rival Emmaus by a 482-470 score.

“I am ecstatic,” said Parkland senior Dannik Khais after collecting his gold medal for the team championship. “To break a 16-year streak and bring it home for the boys, I can’t even describe it. I’m speechless right now.”

Only gold medal winners are guaranteed spots in states, but others can gain at-large bids based on their district time compared to those of other swimmers from across the state.

Khais was the only Parkland boys swimmer to collect silver in an individual event when he placed second in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 52.27, which was fast enough for him to qualify to swim in the PIAA championships next week at Bucknell University. Khais also finished third in the 100-yard freestyle and again earned an at-large bid with a time of 47.75.

“After that 100 backstroke when I was able to lock in second place, when I saw that, I thought ‘we’ve got it,’” said Khais. “That and seeing the fire in the eyes of the boys for the 400 relay told me that we were going to win it all.”

Junior Pedro Teran won bronze in the 200-yard freestyle at districts when he finished 01.15 behind gold medalist Logan Shriver of Emmaus. Second-place finisher Aaron Stinner of Whitehall was just 00.06 behind Shriver and both he and Teran earned at-large bids into states to compete in the 200 freestyle.

Freshmen Pierce Brundage and Dominic Faenza also picked up bronze medals at districts in the 200-yard individual medley and 500-yard freestyle, respectively, but did not get at-large bids into states.

A young 400-yard freestyle relay team comprised of freshmen Faenza and Jacob Piccini along with sophomore Thomas Price and Khais, who is a senior, won silver at districts, but have a spot waiting for them at states.

Diver Brad Kunz wrapped up his ticket to Bucknell a week earlier when he took gold at the District 11 Diving championships at Emmaus High School.

“I’ve never been to states before, so I’m going to get some good sleep and rest tonight and then we’re going to have some quality team time together and I’m looking forward to being with these guys just a little longer,” said Khais.

The 3A competition will be held March 13th and 14th at Bucknell’s Kinney Natatorium.