LEWISBURG - All of the ingredients for a second straight PIAA Class AA 50 freestyle title were there for Nathan Smith.
The Susquehanna Twp. senior popped a terrific preliminary time Wednesday morning and for all intents and purposes, swam a pretty solid finalWednesday night at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.
But sometimes the hunter has a little more to prove then the hunted.
Franklin's Phil Emeron, who was nipped by Smith in last year's 50 free final and again Wednesday morning in the prelims, found just enough energy to close on Smith and pull out a .10 second win.
Emerson finished in 20.90 and Smith was right behind in 21.00.
"I thought I was ready for this, I'm not sure what happened," said Smith, who clocked a 20.90 in prelims.
"But I had a bad turn and he had a little bit better of a race."
Smith said he felt good after the morning swim and during the afternoon rest and also said he felt like he was went pretty fast Wednesday evening.
"The turn felt okay," Smith said.
"But I know he was a good finisher."
In other finals action Wednesday night, Trinity junior Ian DiCarlo clocked a 1:42.45 in the 200 freestyle for a Class AA bronze medal.
DiCarlo, a silver medalist here last year, said he felt much better about his final swim than Wednesday morning's prelims.
"I think I held back too much this morning, maybe played it a little too safe," DiCarlo said.
"I tried to do a better of job of racing in [the 200 free and 200 medley relay]."
Despite finishing one place lower than last season, the Shamrocks' standout, who attends Camp Hill, beat his lifetime best in the 200 free by a second.
"He went much faster in his third 50 tonight that he did this morning," Trinity coach Mike Gobrecht said.
"I think it can be more of a mental thing when it comes to swimming the 200 right after the medley relay."
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