LEWISBURG — It was one final day at the state swimming championships for Maggie Gruber to savor.

And one more championship for the Mars senior to win.

She did just that, finishing the girls’ 100-yard backstroke in a personal-best time of 54.15 seconds to successfully defend her title from last year by claiming the top spot at the PIAA Class AA meet Thursday at Bucknell University.

The title gives Gruber six at the state level to go with her six WPIAL gold medals. She is the 14th female swimmer to claim six individual gold medals in PIAA history. For her feats, Gruber was named Class AA female swimmer of the meet.

It was her last PIAA swim and even Gruber, who is always focused on her upcoming event, made a point to take in the sights and sounds of Kinney Natatorium.

“When you are having fun, you’re smiling,” she said. “That’s what I did. I loved everything about the atmosphere.

“I had my best time in the backstroke and I was very happy about that.”

Gruber’s nearest foe was Villa Maria Academy’s Sarah Hitchens, who placed second at 55.24.

Between preliminary and finals races, Gruber swam six times on Wednesday, including her win in the butterfly.

“I was very tired (Thursday) morning,” she said. “I took a nap in the afternoon and after that, I was ready for the finals.”

Gruber will take away fond memories of her four years swimming for the Planets.

“Since my freshman year, I’ve made so many friends who I will keep throughout my life,” she said. “I’m going to miss a lot of people at Mars, but I’m also happy about moving on to (Virginia Tech).

“Hopefully, I can do some great things there.”

As much as Mars has given Gruber, she has certainly returned the favor.

“She put Mars swimming on the map,” said Planets coach Heidi Brandon. “She set lofty goals and she wanted to meet them all. And she has shown other kids how to be the total package as an athlete.

“She is the nicest kid, shakes everybody’s hand and is very polite,” added Brandon. “There’s not a mean bone in her body.”

Freeport sophomore Bria Otwell placed eighth in the 500 freestyle at 5:12.84.

In boys action, Knoch’s Ian Lindsey was fifth in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:00.16.

Following are results of the Butler County area swimmers who competed at the PIAA Class AA Championships, which concluded Thursday at Bucknell University.

Those participants who earned a medal appear in bold.

Girls

100 freestyle: 24-Zoe Pawlak (Freeport) 55.28

500 freestyle:8-Bria Otwell (Freeport) 5:12.84, 21-Abby Jones (Knoch) 5:22.88

100 backstroke:1-Maggie Gruber (Mars) 54.15, 23-Abigail Parsons (Slippery Rock) 1:00.68

Boys

100 freestyle: 11-Austin Wittmer (Knoch) 48.66, 24-Francis Folz (Mars) 49.76

500 freestyle: 15-Tommy Pierre (Mars) 4:50.83, 16-Chris Georgiadis (Mars) 4:55.84, 22-Nathan Walls (Knoch) 4:57.48, 26-Zack France (Slippery Rock) 5:01.74

100 backstroke: 24-Eric Schmidt (Grove City) 56.42

100 breaststroke:5-Ian Lindsey (Knoch) 1:00.16, 23-Tom Somora (Grove City) 1:03.06

400 freestyle relay: 9-Mars (Reed McDonough, Tommy Pierre, Chris Georgiadis, Francis Folz) 3:17.03