Elizabeth Bell of Anna-Jonesboro won the state title in the 50-meter freestyle at the IHSA girls swimming and diving championships at New Trier High School in Winnetka.

"I'm still a little bit surprised I won," Bell said. "Two years ago, I didn't even make it to state, and today, I won it. I'm still a little stunned."

Bell - who will be swimming for the University of Illinois next year - edged Jane Munro of Evanston by .13 seconds and defending champion Kelly Hagerty of Glenbrook South by .20 seconds with a time of 23.73.

"At the turn, I knew it was close, but I thought I was a little bit ahead," Bell said. "At the finish, I thought I had won, but there was someone on the outside lane that looked like she was close to me. Then, I looked up at the board and confirmed I won."

"Friday, I knew I had to put up a pretty good time to make finals because in the 50 the times are real close," Bell said. "I not only made it but was able to make it back to the finals as the top seed."

Bell also finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 55:22 after missing the cut the previous three years. The senior finished 2.11 seconds behind the record-breaking time of three-time champion Olivia Scott from Aurora Rosary.

"Getting to the finals was really exciting," Bell said. "I swam 59:00 my freshman year and didn't make the cut. I even didn't make it last year and that was pretty disappointing. I was really happy to make it Friday, especially in the ‘A' finals. I went in fourth and came out fourth and dropped my best time, so I was pleased with that."

Camille Davis of Goreville finished 46th in the 100-butterfly Friday to miss the cut for the finals. It was the first time the sophomore had qualified for the state tournament.