Syracuse, N.Y. — A top 10 result in Saturday’s New York State girls swimming championships is an achievement most athletes spend years chasing.

But as Marcellus sophomore Vivian Pilon took her place on the podium, coach Jill King saw more than satisfaction in her ninth-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle — she saw an athlete looking to the peak.

“One of the things she said to me at the state meet was, ‘When you’re on the podium and you get down to ninth and tenth place, you’re on the floor,’” King said. “She said, ‘Next year, I’m not going to be on that floor. I want to get up onto that podium even higher.’ I think she’s already looking at what it would take to be in that top three.”

Pilon’s unwavering motivation is what drove her to a personal best time in the event of 52.61 secon

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