After 400 metres of tough slogging in the pool Sunday at the Prince George Aquatic Centre, Sterling King came within a ripple of catching the fastest fish at the wall.
It came down to a split-second and 16-year-old Joe Byram of Vernon beat King to the punch to claim a thrilling win in the 15-and-older boys 400m individual medley. Byram won the race in 4:48.09, but King won the Fall Invitational meet crown. The 15-year-old Prince George Barracudas Swim Club member captured the aggregate title by two points over Byram.
"It's really nice to have some competition from Vernon, it really adds some variety to the meet, and it felt great to have a good race against someone with his skill," said King. "Joe is a good swimmer who made the Canadian team and he really gave me a push. Anytime I raced him he was a push."
King lost the 200 IM to Byram by about two seconds, but topped the Vernon swimmer while winning the 1,500 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly races. The nine-year Barracuda veteran also won the 200 freestyle and was second in the 200 backstroke.
