Darden earns bronze medal in 100 freestyle at states

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 7, 2014 1:47 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

CARY -- One slight mistake didn't ruin Zach Darden's desire to medal during the N.C. High School Athletic Association Classes 1-A/2-A men's championship swim meet Thursday evening.

The miscue also proved to be a character-building moment.

Darden climbed onto the starting block for the 50-yard freestyle and went into a set position on the starter's command of "take your mark." But the slippery board caused Darden to move his foot.

The deck official disqualified the Goldsboro junior.

"I slipped before he hit the beeper," said Darden, who was seeded No. 1 in the event. "Maybe I was just a little too ready to go."

Disappointed with the outcome, Darden headed to the warm-down pool to tame his temper. Head coach Tammy Yates got an explanation from the official and explained his reasoning to Darden.

Darden vowed to turn his anger into energy for the 100 free.

"I just thought of all of the hours of training I've put in over the last year and I didn't want to let it (a medal chance) slip out the door," Darden said. "I got focused on the 100. Instead of having two chances, I only had one to bring home a medal."

Confident in his ability and determined to reach the medal podium for a second straight year, Darden swam a personal-best 47.19 seconds in the finals. The performance resulted in a bronze medal (third place) to go along with his state runner-up medal in the 200 individual medley a year ago.

East champ Will MacMillan, a sophomore from Carrboro, claimed the state title in 46.35 seconds. Senior Cole Riggan from Lexington touched the wall sixth-tenths of a second behind MacMillan.

The duo turned back Darden's bid to become Wayne County's first 100 free state champion since Eastern Wayne alum Mason Chenier won three consecutive 3-A titles from 2007-09. Mason's older brother, Michael, won the 100 free state 4-A crown in 1999.

Perhaps the most-fitting moment, however, came in the final preliminary event -- the 400-meter relay. Darden and teammates Timmy Vick, Christian Martens and Vincent Spagnuolo posted a personal-best time of 3:50.96.

"We got really pumped up for that relay," Darden said. "The whole day was hard and I wanted us to finish it strong. It was Timmy and Christian's last high school swim, so I wanted to do a good job for those guys.

"Today was all about how I conducted myself. It was building my character and I'm going to face more times like these throughout my career. It's just part of the game."

Vick finished fifth overall in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:02.75.

Rosewood sophomore Kodey Silknitter placed among the top 18 in the 200 IM (2:14.63) and was among the top 22 in the 100 breaststroke prelims (1:09.7).