On Feb. 20 and 21, the State High Swimming and Diving Team competed in the district championship meet at Penn State’s McCoy Natatorium. After a suspenseful season leading up to the meet, both the boys and girls teams left districts as winners.
State High attended the championship to compete against various schools in the area. The meet began with a strong start in the girls 200 Medley Relay. Junior Gabby Siekman, senior Emmie Schwab, junior Molly Staniar, and sophomore Isla Reite earned first place with fast and efficient swimming.
“I think the key to success is definitely just making your own environment, being confident in yourself, and just feeling prepared to swim,” sophomore Claire Fuller said.
State High continued its winning streak in the men’s 200 Medley Relay. With the help of strong teamwork, State High won first place in the event.
“I think that we rely on each other to make each other better. I feel like we have really positive energy, and that brings us success,” sophomore Natalie Trego said.
State High continued its strong performances in the boys and girls 200 IM. Siekman and senior Leo Garlicki both won first place in their events with impressive times.
“I think our team has been doing very well,” senior star Molly Workman said. “We were undefeated in the regular season, and our postseason Mid-Penns and Mid-Penn Plunge went very well, so I think districts will go great.”
State High also set two new pool and district meet records: 22.36 seconds in the girls 50 free and 48.35 seconds in the girls 100 free, both swam by Workman.
Before the meet, Workman said, “I hope to win my events and hopefully set some new school records.”
The divers also delivered strong performances to represent State High. Senior Varrah Gramling earned first place in women’s diving and set a pool record in the 11 dives event.
Sophomore Evan Koehle continued State High’s success by setting a new district meet record in the 100 Fly with a time of 51.11 seconds.
“It feels really good, and I’m really proud of our team. I think we’ve grown together individually, and I think we’ve had a really good season,” Trego said.
State High also set another district meet record in the girls 400 free relay. This relay team consisted of Siekman, freshman Ellen Woodruff, Staniar, and Workman.
Thanks to the swimming and diving team’s dedication, hard work, and success at the district championship, State High will compete in the PIAA State Championships, March 11-14, at Bucknell University.
“I think we’re gonna do great, we’ve been preparing the whole season for this. A lot of us are tapering, so we’re all ready,” Fuller said. “I think we’re gonna get some really good times.”
