Park Does It Again! Wins State Championship in the 200-Yard Freestyle

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. --- For the second straight night, freshman swimmer Mia Park has claimed the state title, this time in the 200-yard freestyle on Friday evening at the California Community College Athletics Association Swim and Dive State Championships at the East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium in Monterey Park, Calif.

After conquering long distance in the 500 free on Thursday for her first state title, Park conquered the 200 free with a time of 1:51.54, a new lifetime best and nearly three seconds better than the runner up.

With the win, Park became the first ECC swimmer in the new millennium to claim the state title in the 200 free. Cindy Ngo was the last Warriors swimmer to post a podium finish in the event, finishing third in 2018.

Much like Thursday, Park came out hot as she posted the top qualifying time in the morning prelims as she finished in 1:52.71. Camryn Bussey of Sierra was second in qualifying with a time of 1:54.40 and Ruby Gonzalez of Santa Rosa was third with a time of 1:57.64.

Coming out of lane four, Park was consistent throughout the race after darting out in the first 50 yards with a split of 26.23. Her 100-yard split came in at 28.57, her slowest of the entire race. She split at 28.31 through 150 yards and closed out the final 50 yards with a 28.43 split.

Bussey finished second with a time of 1:54.10 and defending state champion Risa Akastu of Santa Monica was third with a time of 1:55.82.

The win also marked the second straight day that Park dethroned the defending state champion in the event by multiple seconds.

Park will be hunting for a third state title on Saturday as she is slated to compete in event 33; the 100-yard freestyle. She will enter the prelims with the top seed time (52.43) of the 18 competitors vying to qualify for the finals.  The prelims for the final day of the 3C2A State Championships are slated to begin at 9 a.m.