LEWISBURG — While at dinner hours before his 100-yard freestyle race, Francis Folz began to feel ill.

The Mars senior swimmer had chills. He got physically sick.

Folz was worried the onset of his flu-like symptoms would sabotage his chances at a second gold medal at the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday night at Bucknell University.

Less than 24 hours earlier, he had finished first in the 50-yard freestyle and had designs on another title.

That goal was in serious doubt.

“I had to put another hoodie on. My throat was sore. My nose was running,” Folz said. “That made me nervous right before my race. I was just thinking about how this had to happen now. I was just thinking about the situation and how I couldn’t mess this up.”

Folz overcame his illness and the field of the best swimmers in the state to touch the wall first in the 100 freestyle to win his second state title.

Folz finished with a time of 47.03 seconds, just a fraction ahead of Mahlon Reihman of Salibury, who touched the wall in 47.06.

His victory was hard-earned. After 50 yards, Folz became sick again in the pool and felt tired and weak.

“That third 25 (yards), I had a rough time,” Folz said.

At that point, even Mars swimming coach Hans Bergh could see Folz was struggling.

“He was in the middle of the pack,” Bergh said. “Everyone was so close, but he was very impressive. I’m so proud of him.”

When Folz realized he had won, he was ecstatic.

“It is awesome, sir,” he said. “I’ve been so privileged in my life. This is out of this world.”

Folz was the highlight of another good day in Class AA for Butler County area swimmers.

The Grove City boys finished sixth as a team. Mars, which won the state title last season, was 14th.

Thomas Somora of Grove City earned a third-place medal in the 100 backstroke, finishing with a time of 58.88.

Knoch’s John Wilson was fifth in that event, finishing in 59.87.

In the Class AA girls meet, Freeport senior Bria Otwell finished her career with a fourth medal in the 500 freestyle.

She placed fourth with a time of 5 minutes, 1.73 seconds.

The Knoch tandem of Brooke Zukowski and Abby Jones both earned medals in the 100 breastroke.

Zukowski was third with a time of 1:05.01. Jones was seventh, coming in at 1:07.90.

The Class AAA boys and girls state competition begins today and concludes Saturday.