Some goals are set with apprehension.

This one had confidence written all over it.

As his team practiced last Monday for the PIAA Class AAA swimming championships, Seneca Valley coach Tom Donati made it clear what his expectations were for the girls 200-yard medley relay team.

"Our goal is to race for the state title," he said.

Friday evening, Donati watched four of his swimmers dive into the water with those lofty aspirations.

They emerged with a fist full of gold.

The foursome of Stacie Safritt, Mandie Huffman, Kylie Gamelier and Kelly Connolly used a school-record time of 1 minute, 47.10 seconds to win the state title in the 200 medley relay at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.

"Our goals were high coming in," said Donati. "And the girls did it."

The Raiders quartet, seeded fourth coming into Friday, beat out Parkland (1:47.39) and District 3's Hempfield (1:47.42).

Safritt swam the event's first leg, the backstroke, and Parkland's Kristen Shickora was able to gain a small lead for her team.

"Mandie then got us out in front (breaststroke) and Kylie (butterfly) was able to stretch it out a bit for us," said Donati.

When Connolly dove in for the race's final leg, the freestyle, Seneca Valley led by a half of a body length.

"I had confidence in Kelly because she's been bringing it home for us all season long," said Donati.

The sophomore turned in a time of 24.27, her fastest time ever in the event, to cap the state championship performance.

"It was a bit scary, but I sure am glad I was able to get it done," Connolly said.

Gamelier's time of 25.16 in the butterfly leg was the best in the entire competition.

Seneca Valley entered the race after posting the top time in Friday morning's preliminary round at 1:48.21.

"We swam well during the morning session, but we sat the kids down and let them know that they needed to be faster," said Donati.

"We knew that Parkland, Hempfield and Emmys would be our top competition, and each one of them dropped their time from the morning, but so did we," the coach added.

The Raiders finished ninth in the event at last year's PIAA championships after winning a WPIAL title.

"We came into the race last year a bit too cocky, and it was a letdown when we didn't win," said Huffman. "Winning it this season, it's the best feeling I've ever had."

In individual action, Safritt finished third in the 50 freestyle with a school-record time of 23.83 while Gamelier was ninth in the 100 butterfly with a finish of 58.10.

Sophomore Elise Dobric finished 26th in the butterfly (1:00.71).

In the 200 freestyle relay, Connolly, Lauren Bemire, Rose Snyder and Dobric finished 17th with a time of 1:41.12.

Seneca Valley's Drew Snyder placed 24th in the boys 50 freestyle at 22.24.

Butler sophomore Molly Evans placed 21st in the 200 IM with a time of 2:13.82 while junior diver Jessica Schnur was 22nd with a final score of 143.75.