As he capped his high school swimming career, Lakota West senior Bryan McNamara couldn’t have done it any better — well, excluding winning a state title.

McNamara celebrated his fourth straight trip to the Division I state meet at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton on Saturday by finishing sixth in both the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free. Most important for the Miami University-bound McNamara is that he shared the state experience with teammates in two relays. And he topped his brother’s highest finish at state by two spots.

“Me and my brother have a really good relationship. He always told me if there was one person in the water that he was OK with them beating him, it was me,” he said of Brendon, who finished eighth in the 400 free in 2009.

“He helped me so much. When I came to my first state meet as a freshman it wasn’t nearly overwhelming because I’d been there watching him three times already.

“This state meet was the first time I had a relay; we swam two relays in prelims. I think having my teammates here is something I absolutely missed the past three years. Having them here to support me gives me that extra boost.”

Also on Saturday, Talawanda junior Scott Richmond placed sixth in the 100 breaststroke after claiming the eighth and last qualifying spot Friday.

“Yesterday wasn’t my greatest swim so I was very thankful to slide into eighth place, and it was certainly excellent to move up to sixth,” said Richmond, who was 17th in 2012. “I’ll probably make a little shrine in my house (for my medal). Hopefully next year we’ll come back, place a little better and get a few more.”

McNamara improved on both his finishes as well. He was ninth in the 500 free last season, eighth in 2011 and 14th in 2010. He was 14th in the 200 free last season, 18th in 2011 and 14th in 2010.

“I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “The people around me have done so much to get me where I am today. I’m incredibly thankful for that.”

Once his meet was finished McNamara still had a rooting interest. His girlfriend, Cincinnati Ursuline senior Gabrielle Young, helped her 200 free relay team finish second. Those points proved valuable as Ursuline knocked off eight-time defending champion Upper Arlington for the D-I championship.