CARY — Washington’s boys’ swim team did something Thursday evening that it set out to do months ago. The Pam Pack successfully defended its 1-A/2-A state championship, and did so in landslide fashion.

This time last year, Washington’s boys won their first-ever title by a 19-point margin. Kevin Andrews, then a junior, had become the first male swimmer to win an individual crown. This time around, the Pam Pack won by nearly 70 points. It finished with 256 points. Croatan distantly trailed in second with 187.

“Words can’t describe the feeling,” Pam Pack coach Spencer Pake said. The swimmers also struggled to find words. “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 six 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 tone was set immediately. Washington won the first event, the 200-yard medley relay, to jumpstart the meet. The boys had a quiet confidence about them after the way they dominated the eastern regional on Saturday, but getting the quick win by a four-second margin boosted further boosted their energy.

“There are a lot of mixed emotions. We knew, in the beginning, there was a chance, but we didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” A.J. Howard said. “… The first thing that came to my mind (after winning the first relay) was ‘we’re relay state champions.’ Second thing that came to my mind was that we’re already 40 points ahead.”

Justin Clark added, “We felt pretty strong coming in today. 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.”

Whereas last season’s win came down to the last few events, Washington enjoyed a sizeable lead throughout this year’s. There were only two events where a Pam Pack representative was not 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 off started. It worked out. They got that momentum going and just kept the rest of it going for the rest of the meet.”

After bringing home the first boys’ individual championship a year ago, Andrews won a pair of gold medals in the first two events of the meet. After the win in the medley relay, Andrews claimed the 200-yard freestyle crown. He also placed second in the 100-yard backstroke.

“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, Clark and Tony Lovenberg — Washington’s three other seniors, in addition to Andrews — did plenty to spearhead title win, too. All three won gold as part of the 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

“What a way to go out,” Lovenberg said. “… It’s been a long ride. It’s taken me 12 years of swimming. Swimming here has been so amazing. I’m so proud of what we’ve done as a team.”

Individually, Howard won a pair of bronze medals in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. Clark placed fourth in the 100-yard freestyle.

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.”

Howard added, “I had no idea I was going to get that. It was an honor. I can’t even get my words around it.”