ADAMS TWP — Individual members of the Mars boys swimming team had already earned respect.

Following the Class AA state championship meet in mid-March, the Planets are now respected as a team.

Despite having just five members — all of whom qualified for the state event — the Planets placed second at PIAAs with a total of 113 points. District 10's Fairview won the state team title with a total of 180.

Fairview qualified 15 swimmers for the state event.

“It definitely feels great, like the cherry on top of the sundae of a perfect season,” said senior Jack Muehlheuser, who led the Planets' effort by winning a state title in the 100-yard backstroke. “We pushed each other (at states) and we pushed each other all year.”

The rest of Mars' team that made a second-place finish possible included sophomores Thomas Pierre and Chris Georgiadis and freshmen Reed McDonough and Francis Folz.

The Mars camp, including coach Heidi Brandon, was unaware of the team's standing immediately following the meet's final event, the 400 freestyle relay.

“I wasn't even counting the team totals,” said Brandon. “We had made dinner reservations and were heading out the door and the parents started texting me ‘2...2...2' and they were signaling us. They were telling us we were second.”

The Planets' quintet put off going to dinner, donned their team jackets and headed to the podium to be recognized for their efforts.

“They were so proud of themselves,” added Brandon. “If you could have just seen them on the podium.”

“Everything happened so fast,” said McDonough. “It was crazy to think a team of our size could finish second in the state. I didn't think anything like that would happen.”

Aside from Muehlheuser's state title, Mars' other medalists (top eight) included Georgiadis (seventh in 500 freestyle, fourth in 200 IM) and Muehlheuser (seventh in 200 IM).

The Planets' 200 medley relay team placed second. The foursome was comprised of Muehlheuser, Pierre, Georgiadis and McDonough.

Mars held its own at the WPIAL meet earlier in the month, placing fourth behind Indiana, Hampton and Shady Side Academy.

“There were five of us the whole year,” said Muehlheuser. “We went (6-9-1) during the regular season, then came out as state runner-up in the biggest meet of the year. I'm so proud of the guys.”

The future looks bright for the Planets.

“Jack's the only one graduating,” said Georgiadis. “In our 200 medley relay, Reed can swim the backstroke and Francis can do the free. We should be good there for the next two years.”

Brandon is hoping the squad's success helps bring more kids out for the team.

“I was talking about the boys going to the middle school to show them their trophy and saying, ‘This is what's happening to the program,'” she said. “Maybe some of them could join the team when they get to high school.”