NEW YORK STATE GIRLS' SWIMMING: KITTLE WRAPS UP STATES WITH TOP-25 FINISH, AND TOP 30-FINISH (5 PHOTOS) (2022-11-19)

By BRIAN FEES
Valley Sports Report
WEBSTER — Waverly freshman Mira Kittle knows how rare it is to finish top 25 in the state as a freshman.

While she didn’t record a PR at states on Saturday, she did achieve something that very few freshman ever do. She swam the second day at states as a freshman at the NYSPHSAA Championships at the Webster Aquatic Center.

"I heard for Waverly freshmen — boys and girls, most don’t even make it to the next day, or they got like 40th. A freshman getting top 25 is really cool," Kittle said.

Kittle finished 23rd in the 50 free, moving up a spot from the prelims. She swam a 24.72 on Saturday, nearly matching her prelim time of 24.70.

Kittle also had a 30th-place finish in the backstroke in 1:01.31 on Saturday.

For Kittle, the second day of states was not as nerve-racking as the first day.

"It was a lot harder yesterday not knowing anyone, and a brand new pool," Kittle said. "Today, I was more ready for everything and just ready to swim.

"It was a lot better, because they only take the top 30 for everyone, it was more relaxed. Everyone knows what they have to do and they already did it."

For Kittle, the whole experience let’s her see how good the competition in the state is, and see where she wants to get in the near future.

"I think it will help a lot, because even just knowing even if we are just at Waverly, I’m not going to be the best person who ever swims," Kittle said. "I think coming in here is more like a reality check. I’m not the best kid in the state. At Waverly it’s like, ‘wow, you are so amazing.’ Here it’s like ‘oh, you didn’t win, you got like 20th.’"

For Kittle, watching all the swimmers in the state she learned more about how they prepare for states, relaxing and getting in the moment, than anything else.

"I just saw before they would just be sitting around, not doing anything, while I was moving around, trying to get ready," Kittle said. "They were relaxing."
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES


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