Freedom High School swimmer, Peter Conzola, took fourth place in the 100 backstroke at the PIAA State Swimming Championships last week at Bucknell University.

"I wasn't feeling 100%. I had bad legs in the morning. I didn't feel super rested. I didn't feel normal," Conzola said.

Conzola was the defending state champion.

"My arm speed was a lot slower than usual. It wasn't right," he said.

Conzola's time was 49.87 in the final and 51.08 in preliminaries. Last year's time was 48.80.

"[Coach Jon Larson] put it into perspective and said that it was an amazing accomplishment. He said the sport is for fun. He said not to get too caught up in it and enjoy the atmosphere of states," said Conzola.

Conzola also competed in the 100 fly, placing ninth with a time of 50.27.

"I feel pretty good [about that]. I did a best time. I didn't go quite as fast as I wanted to, but I had a good race, so I'm not disappointed," he said.

Conzola and teammate, Sam Magnan, will compete with their club team, Parkland Aquatic Club, next week at Sectionals, a club championship meet, at Virginia Tech.

Conzola is headed to Virginia Tech to begin his college career next year.