Christina Felchner '16 didn't feel like herself as she entered the final swim meet of her storied career at Wilbraham & Monson Academy. Her right shoulder was giving her problems, and her typical upbeat demeanor was nowhere to be found.
One race, however, changed all that. After sprinting to a win in her preliminary race of the 50 Freestyle, where she felt strong and fresh, Christina won another preliminary before touching first in the final of the 50 and 100 Freestyle races at the New England Prep School Athletic Council Division III Championships, held at the Canterbury School March 5.
Christina received the league's highest honor at the conclusion of the meet when she was named winner of the Robertson Award.
"I was shocked on that," said Christina, referring to the league's top award. "I knew there was a chance I could get that because, generally, in the past, the guys and girls who have won both their individual events and have done well during the season. So I knew there was a chance I could get it but I wasn't sure. Then Mr. (Dan) Moran said I needed to stay (when the meet was over) because I could possibly get an award."
And Christina earned that award, winning the 50 Free in 25.11 seconds and the 100 Free in 54.79. Both were her top times. She won both events last year at the New England meet as well.
For much of the morning of this year's meet, though, Christina didn't think she'd have much of a chance to compete at a high level, let alone win the league's highest honor.
"I was sore and skeptical," Christina admitted. "I'm usually the person who is upbeat and happy and that we're going to do great. But I wasn't feeling like that.
"But in my first race, in the prelim of the 50 Free, I had a lead on everyone by a whole body length. When I touched the wall and saw my time, I kind of fell back and couldn't stop smiling. I thought, 'Oh my God, this is great. It's going to be a great meet.'"
It wasn't just a great meet for Christina – it was a great career. She'll head to St. Lawrence University as one of the most decorated swimmers in school history.
"It's been memorable," she said. "This is my favorite swim team ever. There are others where you feel like a family, but it's different here. The team is smaller so it's close knit and you get to know everyone more intimately. I'm going to miss it."