It would have been hard to tell that Free State High’s Cambry McNabb had just completed the swim meet of her life by listening to her talk about her effort on an inward one-and-a-half Thursday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.

“It kind of sucked, I don’t like practicing that one much and it shows,” said the smiling Firebird senior. “I guess I deserved to take second for how I did on that last one.”

McNabb didn’t miss much on any of her other attempts, though, finishing second to Blue Valley West’s Abby Jones, who scored 241.85 points compared to McNabb’s 208.05.

“It was a pretty good effort overall, I guess. Obviously I would have rather won it, but I knew that wasn’t likely after my last dive,” said McNabb, who had already qualified for state before Thursday’s triangular.

Strong days were commonplace for the Firebirds — who won the meet with 483 points over Blue Valley West (415) and Topeka Hayden (279). Besides McNabb, Free State’s Kelsi Mishler set a personal-best mark in the 100-yard backstroke.

“I really don’t know what to say, it definitely feels awesome,” said Mishler, who won the race in a time of 1:06.75 — good enough to qualify her for the state tournament next month.

“I can’t really explain why, but I was definitely pumped up today.”

It wasn’t just McNabb and Mishler who made the most of the meet either.

As usual, Firebird standouts Ashley Jackson and Ashley Robinson won both their individual events and relays, but both Sarah Clark and Whitley Jackson put up state-qualifying times, as well.

Clark won the 200 freestyle in 2:06.39, while Jackson took third in the 500 free in 5:39.48. Firebird Katie Sloan also PR’ed when she won the 100 free in 59.43.

“I don’t know what it was today, but we had several really good swims,” said FSHS coach Jama Crady. “We were disappointed with how we did on Tuesday it seemed like a lot of the girls were dragging quite a bit.

“But we talked about it and I think the girls really took it to heart, then regrouped and responded today.”