NORFOLK, Va. -- After winning the 50-yard freestyle at the Virginia AA swimming championships Saturday, Potomac Falls junior Becky Horning was halfway to a two-victory performance for the third consecutive year.

But as she prepared to defend her title in the 100 butterfly a short time later at Old Dominion University's Spud Chandler pool, a familiar foe had Horning -- and a state title -- in her sights. Stone Bridge sophomore Megan Newell, who narrowly lost to Horning in the 100 butterfly at last year's state meet, was seeded just behind Horning at the start.

"Becky and Megan grew up together," Potomac Falls Coach Shalynn Bain said. "I think they would rather compete against each other than anyone else. It's a very positive atmosphere."

Early in the race, Newell, Horning and Cave Spring's Julie Sablik were matched stroke for stroke while the rest of the field trailed by a body length or more. Newell and Horning fared better after the turns, but Sablik slowly caught up by the end of the lap.

The crowd cheered wildly as the trio swam the final 25 yards. They reached the finish together, and for a split second, spectators hushed. Heads whirled to look at the scoreboard, which soon revealed that Newell had won in a state record 56.69, fractions of a second ahead of Horning (56.82) and Sablik (56.87).

"I love racing against her," said Newell, Stone Bridge's first state champion. "We used to train together. We're great friends."

"We've known each other a long time," Horning said, smiling and putting her arm around Newell. "I won first last year. She wins first this year. Who cares?"

Sarah Horning, 24, coaches Newell at Stone Bridge and is Becky's older sister. She said the outcome suited her along team and family lines.

"Whenever Becky and Megan swim against each other, anyone can win," Sarah said. "It's fun, especially for me."

The closeness of the Newell-Horning rivalry is representative of the camaraderie among Loudoun County schools, Bain said.

"Loudoun County has been trying to make a strong swimming program for years," Bain said. "I think when you watch the competition today, you'll be seeing us cheering for each other as much as anyone else."

In team standings, however, Liberty's girls provided the top local result. Senior Marnie Rognlien was second in the 100 freestyle and fourth in the 50 free to help the Eagles to sixth place. She also anchored the 200 free and 400 free relay teams to top three finishes.

"We did great," Rognlien said. "Our relays turned out so well. We had a couple of sick swimmers, but everybody pulled their weight and did their part."

Rognlien, a three-time All-Extra selection, swam the 100 in 53.90 seconds, a personal best by more than a second.

"I dropped a lot of time, and it just really turned out well," she said. "It was a great last high school swim meet for me."

Other local swimmers were among the top four in multiple events.

Loudoun Valley sophomore Emily Kelly placed second in the 200 free (1 minute 53.38 seconds) and third in the 100 free (54.04).

"More of my practices this year have been geared toward endurance. [Friday,] my times weren't as good," Kelly said of the preliminaries. "I focused a lot more today."

Broad Run sophomore Danielle Mortensen was second in the 500 free (5:03.61) and fourth in the 200 free (1:56.87). Spartans senior Richard Matthews would have set a state record in the 500 free with his 4:45.75 if not for Tabb freshman David Walters, who won in 4:43.84. Matthews also was third in the 200 freestyle (1:46.70).

Loudoun Valley junior Tom Maddux placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.41) and fourth in the 200 individual medley (2:00.95).