It’s funny how much things can change in a matter of days.

Heading into his most important swimming meet of the season, and possibly his high school career, Mahlon Reihman had to overcome some adversity. Not even a week before getting back into the pool at Bucknell University for the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Reihman got a bit of a scare.

“I either pulled something or something cramped up and locked up,” Reihman said. “I was incredibly nervous with that going to states. I had it taped up every night and I was going to physical therapy, getting it looked at and getting it worked on. There was one day where I could hardly even kick at practice.”

The Falcon swimmer also dealt with a cold heading into competition. But by Friday when he got into the pool, the pain in his right thigh was gone and the cold had eased its way out of his system.

“That kind of threw me off and I was really nervous, but I worked very hard to heal myself. I started feeling better probably three days before competition,” Reihman said.

The end result after Day 2 of Class 2A competition at Bucknell’s Kinney Natatorium was a historic one for Reihman. The junior earned first place in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events that highlighted a strong showing for a number of Salisbury swimmers at the state meet.

“It honestly feels kind of surreal,” Reihman said. “I really couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Everything pretty much played out perfectly. I hit all of my goal times. Wrapping up my junior year and my high school season, it was the perfect meet.”

In what Reihman considers his go-to event in the 200 freestyle, there was a bit of revenge on his mind after placing second at last year’s competition. This year’s race produced a different outcome, with Reihman jumping out to a quick lead and coasting to the end in 1:38.32. Lower Moreland’s Connor Killion took second in 1:41.20.

Reihman was also a half-second off of the state record for the 200. And while he knew hitting that time this year at Bucknell might not be a possibility, it’s certainly on his mind going forward.

“I think I have to say I’m more excited about the 200 because it’s always kind of been my strongest event,” Reihman said. “In the 200, I was .47 seconds away from the state record. That was pretty exciting and is a goal for me next year.

“I knew what it was and I was pretty sure that wasn’t going to be a possibility my junior year, but it was pretty awesome to see how close I could come in my junior year. Winning states is something huge and awesome, but leaving your name on that mark forever until someone else breaks it is completely different.”

Reihman swam the 100 freestyle in 46.03 seconds, edging close friend and fellow District 11 competitor Gabe Castano of Central Catholic by .45 seconds.

Daniel Bonge, also a junior, was Salisbury’s other swimmer performing in individual events at states. He won his consolation bracket and placed ninth in the 100-yard butterfly in 52.34 seconds, while also taking a respected 12th-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke in 54.22.

“He’s pretty much been swimming I guess two full seasons with year-round swimming, and it’s awesome only after that that he can win consolation finals and take 12th place in the 100 backstroke,” Reihman said. “He has so much raw talent. It will be awesome to see how well he can do next year.”

Along with Reihman and Bonge, sophomore Tim Sechler-Stone and junior Ben Wiener swam on the Falcons’ 400-yard freestyle relay team that placed 21st in prelims.

Salisbury also sent two divers to the state championship meet. District 11 champ Tyler Keller, a junior, earned his second straight state medal with a seventh-place finish. Danny Bujcs, a senior who was runner-up to Keller at districts, finished 10th at states.