Caudill finished second in the Class 3A 200-yard individual medley on Friday at SPIRE Institite in Geneva, Ohio. While Caudill’s time of 2:22.32 was behind McDowell’s Halaina Palmer, the winner has scratched at the PIAA meet for other events, so Caudill advances.

Only the winner of each 3A individual race automatically advances to states, but that didn’t stop the Lady Dragons from a second-place team finish. McDowell won the team title with 474 points, Warren had 275, DuBois 207, Meadville 98, and Erie High 37.

“After a full season of training and planning, our Warren Dragons competed in two full days of D10 swimming at SPIRE — the Olympic training facility right across the border in Ohio. With the anticipation of the biggest meet of the year, our Dragons were setting themselves up for success, from tech suits to a full taper workout, we put our best foot forward in every race,” said Warren coach Brandon Gregg. “Day one started strong as our ladies’ 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay teams took down second-place finishes. Emma Peterson and Katie Krogler, with impressive time drops, placed second and third, respectively, in the 200 freestyle. The boys’ 200 free relay team edged out the competition with a podium finish. Rounding out day one, Sam Caudill, with a massive time drop in the 200 individual medley, placed second and secured a spot in the PIAA states competition.”

Caudill has been a relay alternate, but this will be her first time competing at states. She’ll join teammate Page, the sophomore who won the D10 3A Diving Championships on Feb. 21 at McDowell Intermediate High School.

SAMANTHA CAUDILL

“Day two was even faster-paced as the Dragons locked down a handful more podium finishes with Emma Peterson and Katie Krogler again attacking the distance races, finishing third and fourth in a large field of swimmers in the 500 freestyle,” said Gregg. “Lucy Harrison returned this year to take down the number two spot in the 100 backstroke, while Sam Caudill and Violet Spiegel went second and fourth, respectively, in the 100 breaststroke.

“Overall, we had an amazing time with a large district team this year and we made sure that the whole event center heard our Dragon roar,” added Gregg.

GRACIE PAGE