Freedom distance swimmer Zara Martin knew she was close enough to William Allen’s Sarah Schweyer in the 500 freestyle that all that was left to do was win in the Patriots’ meet against the Canaries last Thursday at Freedom.

“I remember I was almost even or a little bit behind the entire race, and I was getting so tired. I kept seeing her, and I just kept getting more motivated. All I was thinking in my mind was let’s go, let’s go. I made it this far. I’m gonna win this,” Martin said.

The basketball player-turned swimmer inched ahead in the last 15 yards, cheered on by teammates leaning over the pool deck, to out touch Schweyer by more than one second.

“Usually I can’t hear a single thing when I’m in the water, but I heard everyone. It was so crazy. I was really relieved because it was over, and it’s such a long race, but I was so happy because I did work hard for that and I’m really glad,” said Martin.

The 500 free was swum mid-meet, a meet won by the Patriot girls, 88-75.

“Zara is really stepping up and today she swam four races, two back-to-back in the middle of the meet, and really pulled through,” said Freedom swim coach Alisha Roscioli. “Aliah [Corrado] is doing really well, and a couple of the new kids are getting into the groove of things now and realizing, oh yeah, I can do this. It’s super exciting.”

The Patriots led off with a 200 medley relay win by Lilly Anderson, Maggie Marshaleck, Corrado, and Deb Belen. The foursome’s time was 2:09.97.

Corrado then returned to the block and won the 200 IM in 2:34.77 and the 100 butterfly in 1:08.99.

Belen was the winner in the 50 free with a time of 26.60 and the 100 free with a time of 1:03.19, and Anderson took first place in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:11.36.

Katie Twigger, Anderson, Corrado, and Belen wrapped up the meet with a 4:21.80 victory in the 400 free relay.