North Shore native Dwyer part of gold-medal-winning relay team

North Shore native Conor Dwyer started and Michael Phelps finished as the United States won the 4×200-meter freestyle relay Tuesday night at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The result gave Phelps his 21st Olympic gold medal.

Dwyer — who grew up in Winnetka and starred at Loyola Academy — Townley Haas and Ryan Lochte went out ahead of Phelps, handing off a commanding lead to the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.

Phelps essentially spent the next 100 seconds or so soaking up the cheers. He was only the third-fastest swimmer on his team, but he was a full body length ahead of Britain’s James Guy when he touched in 7:00.66.

The British claimed silver in 7:03.13, while Japan took the bronze in 7:03.50.