WESTMONT — Charles Medlin wanted a strong finish to his career at Schlarman Academy and he got it on Saturday.
Medlin ended up second in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.19 seconds in the IHSA boys state swimming meet at the FMC Natatorium.
He also added a ninth-place finish in the 100 freestyle with a time of 43.94 to win the B final.
Medlin said on Friday that his experience from the year before was key to his success on Saturday.
“This year, I know a little bit about what I am doing,” Medlin said. “Last year was my first time there and I didn’t know about the processes of getting into the pool. But now that I have swum in this pool a couple of times, it is is just like any pool I swam in. I am pretty excited about this time and I am going to try my best.”
Medlin was one of quite a few downstate swimmers that made the move up to the Chicagoland area to face mostly Chicago area swimmers and Medlin only lost to Vernon Hills’ Yury Plaksin, who won the 50 in a time of 20.09.
“The single-class system is cool,” Medlin said. “You are against everyone, but what makes it fun is that you know everyone. There is no division, so you know all of the top swimmers. It is cool to see a bunch of the guys from downstate to go to the Chicago area because it is rare to see downstate swimmers ranked as high as the guys in our sectional.”
Medlin wraps up his career with his success hopefully building a tradition for the Hilltoppers’ swim team as two members joined what was a team of one last season.
“It was cool to have underclassmen there so I can have someone else to cheer for and some more to represent other than myself,” Medlin said. “It is nice to know that after I graduate, I will have swimmers after me, so starting a legacy like that is pretty cool.”
Medlin was not the only local aquatic athlete in a state meet on Saturday.
Fountain Central’s William Armstrong was in the IHSAA Boys Swimming Championships in Indianapolis in the diving event.
Armstrong had score of 420.80 in the event to come out with his highest state finish so far in fifth place.