Parkway North’s Lundstrom to try for third state title in 100 butterfly

Parkway North senior Heather Lundstrom will try to capture her third consecutive state title in the 100 butterfly and set another state record in the process.

The annual girls state swim meet begins Friday (Feb. 15) and winds up Saturday. It will be held at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters.

“I’m excited for state,” said Lundstrom, who will swim in college for Tennessee. “It’s my last time, so I want to go out with a bang.”

The Viking senior won the 100 fly in 54.51 last winter. It was a new state record time. Her best time this season, which tops the state, is 55.99, which she set on Dec. 14.

Her goal is to win the event again.

“Getting a third state title would be a really sweet ending to my high school career,” said Lundstrom, who also competes for the Parkway Swim Club. “The fly is probably my best event. My favorite is always changing.”

Regardless, Lundstrom said she isn’t overthinking or get stressed about trying to win the 100 fly again.

“I don’t really focus on it,” Lundstrom said. “There’s no pressure.”

To win three state championships is rare, Parkway North coach Bart Prosser said.

“She will make an attempt at being a three time state champion in the 100 fly, which has only been done a few times in state history,” Prosser said. “Heather is an amazing athlete and I would think that she would try to better her time from last year.”

Lundstrom said she will not defend her state title in the 200 IM. Rather, she will compete in the 500 freestyle this time. At state, a swimmer may compete in two individual events and two relays.

“I decided to swim the 500 instead,” Lundstrom said. “I chose 500 with my coach because I’ve been training hard and with taper, I guess we ll see how I do.”

Prosser said you can’t count out Lundstrom any time she enters the water.

“Heather will not defend her state championship in the 200 IM. She will also take her shot at trying to win the 500 freestyle this year,” Prosser said. “She is currently the No. 3 Seed in the 500. I think she has as good of a shot of winning as anyone else in the field.”

Swimming at state is fun for Lundstrom. She is a veteran of big meets like competing in the U.S. Open and the Speedo Junior National Championships. Moreover, Lundstrom also competed in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

But state is about her school and her teammates.

“This meet is one I look forward to because it’s fun,” Lundstrom said. “It’s a different atmosphere than some of the bigger meets than I go to and I enjoy it.

“I’ve felt all right this season. My team this year has a lot of energy so they make it easy.”

She has given some thought that this will be it for her as a high school athlete.

“I’m a little sad,” Lundstrom said. “Coach Prosser is the best high school coach I could ask for, so it’ll be sad leaving him.”

Regardless of what happens, Lundstrom will not be forgotten at Parkway North.

“She has had a great year,” Prosser said. “She has broken a school record in the 100 breast. This means that she is on 10 of the 11 school records on our board.”