Miller finished her final 50 freestyle as a high school swimmer with a personal record, touching the wall at 24.87 to outpace Elkins High School’s Lilly Anger (25.24). The win marks her first state title, as she finished second in the 50 free last year.

Miller also finished third in the 100 freestyle at 54.66, also a personal best.

John Marshall coach Timmi Snyder couldn’t withhold her joy in discussing Miller’s performance in her final individual 50 and also the 100.

“I couldn’t be more happy for Maitlyn — she’s worked so hard this year. She’s chased those times all year long, and to hit under 25 (seconds) at both regionals and states — and to be crowned a state champion — it’s just incredible,” Snyder said. “To end her senior year with these performances, it’s just really great to see. I’m super proud of her for all she’s accomplished.”

Thursday marked the first of two days of swimming to determine individual and team champions in West Virginia. The preliminaries and finals of half the events took place Thursday, with the remainder set for today.

At the end of the first day, Bridgeport High School found itself atop the boys standings with 97 points, followed closely by George Washington at 93. Wheeling Park currently sits in sixth.

For the girls, Elkins High School leads the girls competition with 96 points. Bridgeport is second at 65, followed by John Marshall at 60.

Snyder expects her girls to make waves on Friday, as they have two strong relays on the final day that offer plenty of points.

“Our 200 free relay has been undefeated all season. We know Elkins has a really strong 200 relay team as well, so I’m hoping we can gain some ground there tomorrow,” she said. “I think the girls are pumped up. They were a little disappointed this morning after our medley relay, but I think the girls have the right attitude going into tomorrow. It’s going to be an exciting day.”

Other strong finishers for John Marshall include a fifth-place finish in the 50 free by sophomore Zoe Zervos at 26.1; a sixth-place by Zervos in the 100 butterfly (1:06.36); and a seventh-place finish for the 200 medley relay (Adah Aubrey, Sarah Hess, Zervos and Savannah Potts).

Boys

Wheeling Park’s boys 200 medley relay squad of Levi Parker, Brady Beihl, Brady Bowie and Malachi Smith finished fourth at 1:42.26. Parker, a senior, also finished third in the 200 freestyle at 1:48.29.

Girls

Brooke High School junior Faith Farrell has positioned herself for a strong senior season. She finished fifth in the 50 free (25.65) and sixth in the 100 free (57.77). Wheeling Park junior Molly George also finished seventh in the 100 fly.

The meet concludes on Friday with the preliminaries and finals of the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and 400 freestyle relay.