T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY ST. CLAIRSVILLE sophomore Casadie DiBetta smiles on the podium after receiving her silver medal Friday night.

CANTON — Casadie DiBetta admitted that she felt the pressure of the season she put forth as a freshman.

The St. Clairsville sophomore clearly buys into the cliche to ‘never let them see you sweat.’

She demonstrated the cool and calm demeanor again Friday night on Ohio swimming’s biggest stage inside the sold-out Branin Natatorium at Canton McKinley High School.

For the second straight season, DiBetta climbed to the state runnerup spot on the awards podium in the 100 breaststroke. She did so with a sizzling time of 1:02.09.

“I was really worried this year because last year, as a freshman, no one knew me and I was just happy to be here,” DiBetta said.

“I somehow got second place, but I feel like I would have let people down if I had gotten something like seventh or eighth place. There was a lot of pressure, but to be runnerup again and, especially, with that time I swam, I am thrilled.”

Two state runnerup finishes is something nary a swimmer from the Ohio Valley has ever accomplished prior to DiBetta.

“I kind of think about (the accomplishments) in the big picture, and it’s shocking to me,” DiBetta said. “It’s amazing to get this far, so to be able to finish second twice is just something I can’t even really believe.”

The only swimmer to touch the wall before DiBetta was the same one who did that in 2019. Beloit West Branch’s Jamyson Robb, who is signed to attend Division I Liberty, successfully defended her state championship in 1:01.65.

“I am kind of sad that (Robb) won’t be here next year because she pushes everyone and she’s an amazing swimmer,” DiBetta said. “I think my times will still improve.”

DiBetta’s swim to the runner-up finish wasn’t without anxious moments. She found herself in fourth after the first 50 yards, but began reeling in the field in the second half of the race, which has been a recipe she’s become accustomed to using.

As soon as the race began, DiBetta found herself playing catch up, but she admitted her “dive is always bad” when she’s nervous.

“I usually make it up in the second 50, so I knew that was going to happen, but after the first 50 (on Friday), I realized I was really behind everyone, so I had to catch up,” DiBetta said. “I am a back-half swimmer. I am a lot better at the second 50 and my stroke is better than my dive.”

While elated with another silver, DiBetta — like many swimmers — is driven by time. The aforementioned personal best that she established for the second straight night is what led to DiBetta’s biggest smile.

“It’s amazing how much my time has dropped,” DiBetta said. “I am just so happy with it. I couldn’t have done it without the girls beside me because they’re so fast and just pull you along.”

Entering the state meet, DiBetta had found sub 1:03 to be elusive. She’s not flirting with dipping under 62.

“I never would have dreamed I could have (brought my time) down that far,” DiBetta said. “(On Thursday), I told my coach that ‘I got a 1:02, I can leave now.’ To get a 1:02.09? I have no idea how I did that.”

On top her work in the breaststroke, DiBetta also finished 15th overall in the 100 butterfly with a 58.42.

She swam on the all-Ohio medley relay team that placed sixth overall to begin the night.

“It was a great weekend … definitely a success,” DiBetta proclaimed. “I am just so happy with all of it.”