Senior Julianna Basler qualified for state in the 50-yard freestyle at the Suburban North 12 Conference prelims at Kirkwood High School on Monday, Feb. 8. She qualified with a time of 25.49 seconds, making the cut by 0.30 milliseconds. Basler placed third overall in prelims.

“It felt amazing to make state,” Basler said. “I felt like I finally achieved my dream of what I wanted and it was really exciting.”

Her teammates, coaches, and parents were ecstatic when she made the state cut.

“The team was so excited,” she said. “I remember getting out of the pool, looking over in the corner, raising my arms up, and everyone was screaming and cheering. My parents started crying and Coach took me aside, crying, and telling my how I did and how my hard work has paid off.”

Basler spent four years working hard to achieve her dream, but doesn’t plan to let up until state.

“My plan is to work hard this week and taper next week. Also eat right and get enough sleep and just be pumped for state.”

Excited for state, Basler just wants to have fun and enjoy the moment with her teammates and coaches.

“I just want to have fun because my whole goal was to go and now I want to enjoy it and swim a 50 freestyle.”

State is Friday, Feb. 19, at the St. Peters Rec-Plex in St. Peters.