Doddridge County junior Isabella McGrady registered the top time in the prelims of the Division II 100 butterfly during Thursday’s West Virginia High School State Meet in Morgantown. (Photo courtesy of WVSSAC)

MORGANTOWN – Swimmers from the Mid-Ohio Valley made it a trifecta as Parkersburg’s Delaney Snodgrass and Levi Morr, along with Doddridge County’s Isabella McGrady, each won an individual title at Thursday’s West Virginia High School State Swim Meet.

“Honestly, we are having the time of our lives,” Parkersburg swim coach Emily Martin said. “Our message this whole week was just having fun. It’s been a real tough season both mentally and physically. Many things have gone on. With the structure of the meet, snow days and sickness, it has put up so many hurdles that it has made the work feel so much heavier.

“The message between myself and the kids — these two days at state are about celebrating and having fun with the sport we love.”

Snodgrass successfully defended her title in the finals of the 200 freestyle in Division I. After breaking the school record of 1:52.09 owned by former Big Red Grace Cox in the morning prelims, Snodgrass took gold with a time of 1:52.69.

In that same event on the boys side, her teammate Levi Morr took nearly a second off his winning prelim time by placing first in the finals of the 200 free in a time of 1:42.74. This year was Morr’s first attempt competing in this event at the state level.

Parkersburg’s Levi Morr swims during his gold medal finish in the 200 freestyle for Division I during Thursday’s West Virginia High School State Swim Meet in Morgantown. (Photo courtesy of WVSSAC)

“When Delaney broke the school record in prelims that made futures cut for USA Swimming and took the pressure off,” Martin said. “For Levi, there was a lot of talk about doing the 200 IM like he did last year or the 200 free. I think we made the right choice with the 200 IM and this year we looked at the field and the times, and landed on the 200 free. I think we made the right choice again.”

After placing third in the finals of the 200 individual medley (2:19.43) earlier in the night for Division II, McGrady knocked more than a second off her prelim time in the 100 butterfly and touched the wall at 1:00.30.

“When I dove in, my underwaters were a little off from the start — I came out a little wonky but I think I recovered,” McGrady said. “When I was getting to my 75, I came too close to the wall. My hand came up and I did a little funky, but again I recovered.

“Finishing first felt unreal. I was trying to process what had just happened. On the podium, I was just very happy and proud of myself, and of the other girls with me.”

For Parkersburg South, Camryn McLain erased nearly two seconds off her regional seed time and recorded the second fastest time in prelims then placed third in the finals at 1:03.53. On McLain’s tail in the finals was Big Reds’ Lily Jones, who finished fourth (1:04.10).

All three members of the Doddridge County swim team who competed during Thursday’s West Virginia High School State Swim Meet in Morgantown advanced to the evening finals in their respective events. Pictured are, from left, Addy Robey, Colton Key and Isabella McGrady. (Photo Provided)

McLain suffered a knee injury during fall soccer, which required surgery, then returned on time for the start of the swim season.

“For Camryn to come back, I don’t know how many kids could do that and do what she did,” South coach Ryan Radcliff said.

Jones also fought the injury bug after experiencing shoulder issues this season.

“Lily was still able to get her best time in prelims,” Martin said. “Then she was even faster in the finals. To see her on the podium at the state meet was the biggest thing for the entire team.”

A second Patriot individual on the girls side also advanced to the finals. In the finals of the 100 freestyle, Vivian Grimm (58.21) finished just behind Vann for sixth place. McLain and Grimm joined Paige Johnson and Isabella Scarberry on the 200 medley relay which took fifth (2:01.93) after shredding nearly two seconds off their prelim finish.

Scarberry was inserted into the lineup for finals, marking the freshman’s debut at the state meet.

“For never being to a state meet or a championship final, to go into a setting like that and swim like that — she was able to maintain composure,” Radcliff said.

On the boys side, Remington Blair hauled in a pair of medals after placing fifth in the 50 freestyle (22.60) and seventh in the 100 freestyle (50.54).

Parkersburg senior Adelaide Vann stayed true to the PHS approach of celebrating the moment. In her final two individual races of her high school career, she moved up two places from her seed time and placed fifth in the 50 free (26.01) then improved one slot with a fifth-place showing in the 100 freestyle (57.94)

“Coming into this week, Adelaide was not feeling 100 percent and that tempered our expectations,” Martin said. “She loves to compete in the sprints and really wanted tonight to be a celebration with this team. Her two swims show the power of staying positive and focused on having fun.

“Adelaide had a knee injury the entire season. She was in and out of the water, so it was exciting to see how well she did. Adelaide and Lily mean so much for the team in and out of the water. They are the best leaders I’ve coached so far.”

McGrady had company in Thursday’s finals as teammates Addy Robey and Colton Key earned medals. Robey took sixth in the 200 individual medley (2:44.84), while Key placed fourth in the 100 freestyle (54.54).

An alternate last year, Robey swam in the neighboring lane with McGrady during prelims.

“It was super exciting and a little overwhelming to see how far I have come in just a year,” Robey said. “I’ve been swimming with Isabella for a long time. We are close. Honestly, being here at state with her just gives us more time to hang out and make memories.

“She has always been there for help and support – before, during and after races.”

DCHS coach Justin Robey noted Key showed some jitters. Key admitted there were a few nerves, but it was more about staying loose.

“Honestly, at the beginning of the season I didn’t think I would swim at states,” Key said. “Don’t know if I gave it my all, but I’m happy with my finish.”