MADISON - Monroe senior Rachel Root closed out a stellar career by winning two medals at the WIAA Division 2 state swimming meet Friday night.
Root finished third place in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.38 seconds at the University of Wisconsin's Natatorium. Milton junior Bridgette Alexander won the backstroke title with a state record time of 55.45. Root also took sixth place in the 200 individual medley with a school record time of 2:12.23. The time she swam in the 200 IM broke Abby Mayer's 12-year-old record (2:13.33).
"I'm just happy to make it on the podium," Root said. "It's been my goal the last three years to make it on the podium. I definitely worked really hard this year, and it paid off."
She now has the school records in the backstroke and 200 IM.
"I just knew I had to give it all I had that race," Root said. "I knew when I hit the wall I achieved what I wanted to."
Monroe coach Linda Moser said her swim couldn't have come at a better moment.
"She has put in a lot of work and it has made a difference," Moser said. "Coming into the meet, she knew what she wanted to do and she achieved it. I couldn't be happier."
Root credited her family, friends and community for turning out to support her.
"Part of the reason I did so well is because so many people came out to watch and cheer me on," she said. "I'm glad my teammates came out so we could be together as a team."
Root finished third place in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.38 seconds at the University of Wisconsin's Natatorium. Milton junior Bridgette Alexander won the backstroke title with a state record time of 55.45. Root also took sixth place in the 200 individual medley with a school record time of 2:12.23. The time she swam in the 200 IM broke Abby Mayer's 12-year-old record (2:13.33).
"I'm just happy to make it on the podium," Root said. "It's been my goal the last three years to make it on the podium. I definitely worked really hard this year, and it paid off."
She now has the school records in the backstroke and 200 IM.
"I just knew I had to give it all I had that race," Root said. "I knew when I hit the wall I achieved what I wanted to."
Monroe coach Linda Moser said her swim couldn't have come at a better moment.
"She has put in a lot of work and it has made a difference," Moser said. "Coming into the meet, she knew what she wanted to do and she achieved it. I couldn't be happier."
Root credited her family, friends and community for turning out to support her.
"Part of the reason I did so well is because so many people came out to watch and cheer me on," she said. "I'm glad my teammates came out so we could be together as a team."
