FEDERAL WAY — Connor Hemming still doesn’t believe that he is a diver.

“I started when I was a sophomore and it was fun, but I didn’t see myself as being good enough to make state,” said the Marysville-Pilchuck senior.

Fast forward two years, and Hemming not only made state as a diver, but a swimmer as well, helping his Tomahawks to a 13th place finish at the state meet in the King County Aquatic Center Feb. 19.

Scoring 307.40 points, Hemming finished ninth in the state in diving, and medaled in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing eighth with a time of 1:02.23

“I didn’t think I would be able to make state in both at the beginning of the year,” said Hemming, who has been swimming since the fourth grade. “But then I kept practicing and I guess I got good at it.”

Hemming’s’ two top-10 finishes went a long way in helping M-P score 90 points at the state meet, as he was one of four Tomahawk swimmers to reach the podium during the finals.

Also earning a medal for the Tommies was senior Spencer Girard, who nearly set a personal best with his 59.35 finish in the 100 breaststroke, which earned him fourth place.

“Spencer had a rough first day, but he came charging back in the second and had one the best races he’s had,” said M-P coach Meredith Jenks.

The Tommies had a difficult first day of the two-day tournament, as all three relays didn’t make it into the finals, but Jenks said she was pleased with the team’s finish.

“Oh yes, especially with the way we started, it took tremendous heart to finish where we did,” she said.

Junior Josh Estella posted a 55.40 in the 100-yard butterfly to earn seventh place and junior Andrew Winquist posted a 1:49.40 in the 200 free to secure eighth place.

“It was great to see Josh do so well because he dropped time at districts and had another great race here,” said Jenks. “And Andrew finished strong both days.”

Fellow Western Conference team Kamiak earned the state title with 240.5 points while Stanwood placed fifth with 128.