Liberty High School swimmers, Kayla Drago and Julia McCarthy, were individual event medalists at the District XI Class AAA Swimming Championships this past weekend at Parkland High School.

Drago won the bronze medal in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:00.26, and a fourth place medal in the 100 free with a time of 54.40.

“I feel amazing and proud,” Drago said. “I podiumed in all my events. I wasn’t really expecting to. I just aimed for best times, but this was a lot more than I could have asked for. I’ve been working hard on my stroke lane [in the 100 fly]. Sophomore year, I had my best time, and junior year, I was nowhere near, but senior year, I have my best time, and I’m YMCA Nationals-qualified.”

McCarthy won a bronze medal in the 200 IM with a time of 2:10.06, and a bronze medal in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.73.

Both girls were also relay event medalists.

“I liked being up there with three other people to support each other,” said Drago. “You get nervous before a race, and there are three people there for you for moral support.”

Also finishing strong for Liberty were Anna Lehr, who placed sixth in the 500 free in 5:21.85, and Jocelyn Baker, who placed seventh in the same event in 5:22.47. Chloe Kobus placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:11.31.

Freedom swimmer, Reilly Ward placed ninth in the 100 free in 56.48, and ninth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.07. Rileigh Ellis came in tenth in the 500 free with a time of 5:31.03.

In Class AA, Bethlehem Catholic’s Jill Spirk clinched two silver medals, one in the 50 free with a time of 24.97, and one in the 100 free with a time of 54.52.

Marisa Linsky had a fifth place finish in the 500 free with a time of 5:48.41, and a fifth place finish in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:04.70.