The Mercer Island boys swim team continued its domination of every team in Washington on Saturday at the Kentridge Invitational. But the Islanders (741.5) took second place for the first time this season to Omaha Creighton Prep (790).

“I was really pleased,” said Mercer Island coach Jeff Lowell, whose team was 363 points ahead of the next closest team from Washington state. “It was a really good day overall. We wanted to match up with another team from out of state, and it was a good meet.”

It was also the first time this season when Mercer Island did not win by at least 60 points.

Islander Murray Longbotham continued his domination in individual events by taking two first-place finishes in a meet that featured 30 different teams.

Longbotham also managed to earn his “Ironman” honors by qualifying for state in the last of eight individual events with a time of 1:43.13 in the 200-yard freestyle event. Longbotham also won the 100-yard freestyle.

Mercer Island continues to collect state qualifying times. Islander Alex Tao earned a state qualifying time in the 200 free (1:50.72).

“That was pretty nice to see, since he started out the season really sick,” said Lowell. “I thought we could get to upwards of 30 state times this season and we are at about 20 and about a quarter of a second from about seven others.”

The Islanders crushed Bellevue on Jan. 8, 130-55, to stay undefeated in dual meets.

Mercer Island continues the regular season schedule at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Boehm Pool in Issaquah against Liberty High School.

All of the Mercer Island results for both meets are posted on page 10.