MJ Mao and Maddie Balish are distinct and distinguished champions, but when it comes to team championships, the two senior swimmers share one theme: There is no “i” in team.

Mao won the boys 200-yard individual medley and set a league record in his 100 breaststroke as Pac-Five won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu team title on Saturday at Punahou.

His time of 54.6 seconds broke his own league record of 54.99 set in the trials on Friday. Also on Friday, Mao’s preliminary time of 1:48.85 in the 200 IM set a record. His 1:49.81 in Saturday’s finals was enough for a wide margin of victory, more than seven seconds.

“He’s very strong and physical. World class almost,” ‘Iolani coach Ivan Batzanov said. “He’s in a good path, definitely.”

Mao not only made the Olympic trial cuts, but won at the junior nationals recently. The accolades and record times don’t bring him as much enjoyment as his teammates do. After just one year in America, the Shanghai, China, native feels almost as comfortable speaking English as he does Mandarin.

“The records don’t matter unless it helps us win. My family sent me here mostly for academics,” said Mao, who attends Maryknoll. “Swimming is more the fun part of life.”

Teammate Albert Zhi was also formidable with wins in the 200 freestyle (1:39.25) and 100 freestyle (44.82). His 100 free time broke a mark held by Kanoa Kaleoaloha of Kamehameha (45.00, 2015).

Pac-Five, coached by Matthew Tanigawa, finished with 74 team points, well ahead of Mid-Pacific (44), Punahou (41), Kamehameha (36) and ‘Iolani (34) in the boys standings.

Balish and Lia Foster were steady in Punahou’s ride to the girls team title. The Buffanblu girls dominated with 109 points, followed by Pac-Five (59), ‘Iolani (28) and Kamehameha (25).

Balish won the 100 breaststroke (1:04.73) and took second in the 200 freestyle. Foster placed first in the 200 IM (2:07.78) and 100 backstroke (58.02). Balish, a senior who is bound for BYU next season, credited her classmates and the maturity of her team’s underclassmen.

“We never worked so hard as we did this year. We had a great vibe. From the freshmen to the senior class. The freshmen surprise you sometimes, but they have a work ethic comparable to anyone else,” Balish said.

Pac-Five’s Le Grand Pound showed her championship form of a year ago, winning the 200 freestyle, edging Balish. The junior had battled injuries since the offseason, but led from start to finish. She also placed second in the 100 freestyle.

‘Iolani’s Çagla Brennan won the 500 in 5:08.66 and placed second in the 200.

“She’s a little tired, not rested,” Batzanov said. “I was expecting a little better 200, but she’s coming off a cold. It’s not an excuse, but I think you’re going to see a good race at states with the girl from Maui.”

That would be Jamy Lum of Kamehameha-Maui.

“When we were younger, we went to zones (regionals) together and got pretty close,” Brennan recalled. “She’s a really sweet girl.”

Brennan will sign with the Naval Academy on Wednesday, which is National Letter of Intent signing day. She almost opted for West Point.

“My grandfather (Anthony Brennan) was in the Navy,” she said.