Years of hard work have paid off for senior swimmer Kylie Tohill. When the Republican Herald All-Area swim team was released, Tohill’s picture was plastered on the front cover, meaning she was named the Girls’ Swimmer of the Year.

“I did not expect to win this award,” Tohill said. “When I heard I won girls’ swimmer of the year, I was extremely excited and honored.”

Throughout the regular season during her senior year, Tohill did not lose in the 50 freestyle or the 100 freestyle once. She won both events at the Schuylkill Sprint Meet and the Schuylkill League Championship. At the District XI championship, Tohill became the first girl from Pottsville to win a gold medal since 2004. During the meet, Tohill not only won gold in the 50 freestyle, she also scored her 1,000th point. Additionally, Tohill won second place in the 100 freestyle and anchored the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays, which both won bronze.

“I was able to accomplish this by working hard the whole season and putting more time into the pool,” Tohill said. “The coaches motivated me each day, even when it wasn’t an easy practice.”

Because she won the gold medal in the 50 freestyle, Tohill automatically qualified for the PIAA State championships. She finished her season by placing 30th at states. After high school, Tohill plans on attending Penn State University at Schuylkill campus to major in Radiology with hopes of becoming an X-ray technician.

“Knowing that this was my last season swimming, I knew I wanted to go out on a high note and [the award] gave me more motivation to achieve my goals,” Tohill said.