Sophomore swimmer Sarah Mandis had just one goal going into the NCHSAA 1A/2A state championship meet this month: To place higher in at least one event than she did last year.

Freshman Hunter Crook didn’t know what to expect in his first state championship meet.

Mandis won first place in both the 200-freestyle and 500-freestyle at regionals just three days before the state meet. Crook took third in the 500-freestyle.

When all was said and done, both were pleased with the outcome of the state meet held Feb. 6 at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.

In her second trip to states, Mandis took second place in the 500-meter freestyle and fourth in the 200-meter freestyle. She finished fourth in both events last year.

“I was really excited about the second place finish. I’m happy with the fourth place in the 200 because I still placed top five,” Mandis said. “But if I could go back, I would really work for a third place finish because the race was very close and I feel like if I had the chance I could have done better.”

In his first trip to states, Crook earned third place in the 500-meter freestyle, beating out many older and more experienced competitors.

“I was really excited to do that well as a freshman,” Crook said. “I didn’t think I would do that well, so I was pleasantly surprised.”

With two years left to compete in high school, Mandis says she will continue to work hard both on her own and with the coaches of the two swim teams she swims with.

“In these next two years I will do exactly what I’ve done this year which is staying with my USA swim team because that prepares me very well for competition,” Mandis said. “Also, I will keep up with normal high school practices and continue strength training in the gym on my own.”

As a freshman Crook still has three more chances to make it to states and place in his races.

“I plan to train harder and hopefully place first at states next year,” Crook. “I really wouldn’t have done anything different this year I was happy with where I was.”

Mandis was also satisfied with her accomplishments at states and coming home with two medals.

“I was beyond happy with my second and fourth place finishes,” Mandis said. “I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the results board after my race.”

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