MONROE - If Monroe senior Rachel Root were a superhero, the one super power she would have would be the ability to walk on water. Since she started swimming, she has found a home racing in the water.

Root, a four-time state qualifier, is gearing up for the WIAA Division 2 state swimming meet Friday night at the University of Wisconsin Natatorium, where she will swim the 100-yard backstroke and the 200 individual medley.

"Swimming is her passion," Monroe coach Linda Moser said of Root. "She does it year-round. She's very dedicated and committed to it. You can't do it for three months and then just drop it. It's a sport you have to stay with. If she didn't love it, she wouldn't be here doing it. It's her passion."

As she does it, Root keeps raising the bar for Monroe swimming.

She owns the school record in the 100 backstroke (58.89) and possesses a personal best in the 200 IM that is just 0.64 seconds away from Abby Mayer's record (2 minutes, 13.33 seconds). Even though she has spent the last four years rewriting the school record book, she is still striving to win that first elusive state medal.

Root finished seventh in the 100 backstroke last year and was just one spot away from medaling. She is seeded fourth in the backstroke this year and ninth in the 200 IM.

"It's everyone's goal to make it to state and make it on the podium," Root said. "I just want to go in there and do my best."

Milton is looking to win the state championship for the third straight year, behind two-time state champion junior Bridgette Alexander. She has won the 200 IM the last two years and returns to the field with the fastest qualifying time of 2:07.61. Alexander also has been timed with the fastest qualifying performance in the 100 backstroke at 56.33 and was the state runner-up last year. The only individual to beat her at state last season was teammate Katelyn Holmquist, a senior who returns to defend her title with the second-fastest qualifying time in the event.

"I think she knows the competition very well," Moser said of Root. "She has swam against them in club swimming. The girls are all friends. It's a friendly rivalry. Our goal is to see if she can break 58 (seconds). It's not about beating someone. It's to see if she can break one more barrier."

Root is looking forward to Friday when she steps on the blocks.

"I like the crowd at state," she said. "It's so much fun to be around. The experience from being there gets you used to the atmosphere."

Behind that experience, Moser said this is Root's best chance to medal at state.

"I think Rachel has grown in confidence and maturity," she said. "Other years, I have wondered about her, that she is just not as confident. This year I see a much more confident and mature swimmer."

Breaking the school record in the 200 IM is also within reach.

"That is in the back of her mind," Moser said. "It's been a goal for her all season to get that record off the board."

After the state meet, Root plans on swimming in college. She is still looking at schools in the Midwest, but hasn't made a decision yet.

"It's definitely strange this will be my last high school meet," Root said. "I will definitely be sad."

However, she said she will have cherished memories.

"The thing I will miss the most is the fun I had with my teammates," Root said. "We are all like one big family."