CARY — The feeling at the end of the day was the same as the year before. Washington’s swimmers, coaches, parents, and alumni all celebrated in the lobby of the Triangle Aquatic Center.

The Pam Pack boys had just successfully defended their 1-A/2-A state championship.

The mood throughout the meet was completely different than it was in 2016, though. Washington pulled away late, winning the program’s first-ever title by 19 points — a relatively small margin in swimming.

This past year, the Pam Pack took control right away and never looked back as it won the championship by almost 70 points. It finished with 256 points. Croatan finished in second with 187.

“Words can’t describe the feeling,” then-coach Spencer Pake said after the meet. He has since stepped down as coach, and alumna Kaitlyn Richards has stepped up. “Back-to-back state champions. These boys swam their hearts out the past week and shattered numerous school records. I just can’t speak highly enough of them.

“These boys, they’ve worked very hard over the years. My brother (Scott Pake) and I have been working with these boys since they were 6 years old. Just to see this happen for them, it means a lot to me and to him. We’re really proud of them.”

The boys set the tone immediately by winning the 200-yard medley relay. It bolstered the quiet confidence they already had after dominating the eastern-regional championship.

“We felt pretty strong coming in today,” said senior Justin Clark. “There’s always a little skepticism whether you’re going to win or not, but we were looking good in the beginning. … I was ecstatic (after winning the first relay) and I was ready to see how we would do the rest of the meet.”

Washington remained on a roll. There were only two events in which the Pam Pack was not represented among the top four on the podium.

“I was a little more comfortable because I knew we had the experience coming back,” Pake said. “Our goal was to win that first relay to get it started. It worked out. They got that momentum going and just kept the rest of it going for the rest of the meet.”

Kevin Andrews, who later committed to swim for Davidson, again played a role in bringing home another title. As a junior in 2016, Andrews became the first male swimmer to claim an individual state championship. He nabbed two more: the 200-yard freestyle and as part of the 200-yard medley relay.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling right now. It’s the last high school meet with my brothers,” Andrews said. “But we managed to get this championship. It’s a good feeling.”

“It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling right now. It’s the last high school meet with my brothers,” Andrews said. “But we managed to get this championship. It’s a good feeling.”

Howard also earned a sportsmanship award.

“A.J. is a good kid. He always has been,” Pake said. “If anybody deserves it, he deserved it.”

Between Pake stepping away as coach and a number of key seniors graduating, the boys’ program looks much different than it did a year ago. The Lady Pack has enjoyed a resurgence this season, too.

Regardless, this two-year span for Washington swimming will go down as arguably the most dominant team in school history.