The freshman was the only girls double winner in the last weekend&os;s District 11 Class AA Swimming and Diving Championships.
View full sizeBethlehem Catholic swimmer Sydnee Karam prepares for the PIAA championships at the KidsPeace pool in Fountain Hill.The Bethlehem Catholic High School freshman did that and then some on Day 2 of the District 11 Class AA Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday at Parkland High School.
Karam did more than just win her two events - the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. By touching in just ahead of Sydney Stinner of Central Catholic in the 100 freestyle, Karam became the first Golden Hawk to win a district title in swimming.
She did it in record setting fashion. Karam's 52.29 bettered the district mark of 52.55 set by Lindsay Guers of Blue Mountain in 2004.
"I feel so honored," she said. "(Monday at school) everyone was really excited about it."
Two events later in the 100 backstroke, Karam knocked off defending champion Madison Amann of Southern Lehigh to win her second gold medal.
She was the only girls double winner in the AA meet.
Two other Becahi swimmers earned medals at the meet. Senior Samantha Figler took third in the 500 freestyle with a 5:20.41 and junior Leah John earned the bronze in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:11.43.
Becahi doesn't field a swim team, so Karam swims exhibition heats at Liberty meets.
"(Liberty coach) Reik Foust is so nice," she said. "They are so welcoming. I am so thankful for them."
Karam won both of her events by finishing strong.
"I usually have trouble (getting my tempo) in the beginning of a race," she said. "I like to use the end of a race as an advantage."
In the 100 free, Karam was facing one of the best in the region in Stinner. Though teammates at the Parkland Aquatics Club, the two swimmers had never raced against each other before.
"She's a great competitor and an amazing swimmer," Karam said. "She really pushes me."
Stinner had the slimmest of leads at the midway point, but Karam was able to turn it on in the last 25 yards and beat her to the wall. Stinner came in at 52.50.
"She showed a lot of good closing speed in the last 25 yards," PAC coach Ryan Woodruff said. "When she came off the last turn I felt really good (about her chances)."
In the backstroke, Karam again used the second half of the race to propel herself to a win.
She was the only swimmer to go sub-30 seconds on the last 50 yards. She clocked in at 58.48, a personal best.
"(My time) was a surprise," Karam said. "I definitely wanted someone next to me that would push me. Having (Amann) next to me definitely helped me out."Sydnee is the daughter of Karen and Jody Karam of Bushkill Township. He is the wrestling coach at Liberty High School.
The official PIAA seedings haven't been released yet; however, Karam is one of the top qualifiers in both of her events for the state championships March 14-17 at Bucknell University. The AA sessions will be held March 16 and 17.
"There's a bit of pressure," Karam said. "I'm just happy and excited to go there as a freshman."