For the second consecutive year, the Jackson Indians boys swim team finished second at the SEMO Conference meet.

With four first-place finishes, including taking first through third place in the 100-yard backstroke, the Indians compiled 336 points at the Southeast Missouri State University Student Aquatic Center in Cape Girardeau, finishing behind Poplar Bluff's 404 points.

"We really exceeded expectations across the board," Jackson coach Riley Talbut said. "I thought we were in a good position to drop some time and be competitive, but I can't say anything other than I'm just absolutely thrilled, pleased and proud of the work our boys have put in for the season."

Jackson opened the meet with a first-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay, as the quartet of sophomore Wade Lavalle, junior Tim Deyong and seniors Kelton Horrell and Luke Tally finished four seconds ahead of the second-place team.

Lavalle took first place in the 200-yard freestyle and second in the 500 free while Tally won the 100-yard fly.

But the Indians scored major points in the 100 back, as Deyon, freshman Jan Handke and Horrell finished first through third.

"We came into the season not really knowing what a couple of these kids' strongest event would be, and both Tim and Jan, who finished first and second, really pushed to swim the backstroke," Talbut said. "Tim especially. He only swam it maybe a couple of times this season and he said, 'Coach, I think I'm going to be able to swim a good time. I want to swim it.' Looking at how we stacked up in the conference, I thought it was going to be one of our more competitive events."

Jackson's Wade Lavalle, left, and Cape Central's Phineas Theall watch the time clock after finishing a race during the SEMO Conference swim meet on Tuesday at the Southeast Missouri State University Student Aquatic Center in Cape Girardeau.Megan Burke ~ mburke@semissourian.com

Cape Central finished third place in the meet, and sophomore Phineas Theall was named co-MVP along with Poplar Bluff's Carson Todd. Theall took first place in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 500-yard freestyle.

"It's easy to say, 'He's only a sophomore,' but, believe me, he is a student of the sport," Cape Central coach Dayna Powell said. "He studies the sport and he fine tunes. As far as eating goes, he follows his nutrition plan. He grew from last year quite a bit, and with his growth he's going to be fun to watch."

The Tigers finished third as a team with 279 points.

"I was pleased," Powell said. "We really had some great swims tonight and this team is always really supportive of each other. It was really good night."

Saxony Lutheran sophomore Tom Hasz picked up a pair of second-place finishes in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle while junior Mason Landewee took second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 500 free.

With the regular season coming to a close, state qualifiers will be announced by MSHSAA on Sunday.