In early November, Lila McGeachy, Camas High School (CHS) senior, placed third in the 500-meter event at state representing CHS girls varsity swim. 

McGeachy has been competing in swim events for nine consecutive years for her club swim team and the CHS girls swim team. After placing first in districts, she went to state to compete against the top swimmers in the other districts across Washington state on Nov. 1 and 2.

“I feel good about my third place finish, going into finals there was a chance that I was able to get third, but I was going to have to get a personal record to do so,” said McGeachy. “It was pretty shocking while I was swimming it because, around the 250-yard mark, I realized that I was in third and that was an exhilarating experience.”

Leading up to McGeachy’s senior swim season, she has been a huge role model for her peers. 

“Almost everybody on our team looks up to Lila because of how fast and dedicated she is to swimming. She is a very nice and hard-working athlete. She is a natural leader and helps keep our team motivated and dedicated,” CHS freshman Poppy Jones-Wick said.

“Lila brings a lot of leadership to the team as a returning swimmer and captain. She’s very dedicated, which can be really inspiring for others who are hoping to improve,” CHS junior Genova Michaelson said. “She knows what she wants and knows how to get there, which can be helpful for coaches who are busy managing a large team.”

McGeachy was chosen to be one of the team captains for girls swim this year. In her time as captain, she pushed the girls to go further than they thought they could, took time to speak encouragement to her teammates, and kept a calm appearance.

Her coach as well as her teammates have recognized how hard she has worked the past four years to achieve a successful high school career through her academics and swimming.

“She has had three different coaches throughout her high school swimming career and she often prefers to ‘coach herself,’” CHS girls swim coach Kelly Dean said. “But over the past two years with Lila, she has grown in her ability to trust the coaching and let us help her carry the pressure with her.”

Her third place medal was well deserved in her supporters’ eyes as it showed how far she has grown as a swimmer and a leader. 

“It has been a pleasure to coach her and to be a small part of her swimming journey,” Dean said.