Southeast Missourian Athlete of the Week: Jackson's Caitlyn Palmer

Jackson junior Caitlyn Palmer was crowned state champion in the 50-yard freestyle Saturday during the Missouri State High School Activities Association Girls Swimming and Diving Championships at the St. Peters Rec-Plex pool in St. Peters, Missouri.

"It's all very surreal," Palmer said. "It's just amazing that I can come here and represent my team in such a big way and make them proud. Hopefully, swimming will take off now, and they'll realize it's a good sport because it's not very recognized."

Palmer was seeded eighth in the race and finished in 24.09 seconds. She became the first girls swimming state champion in school history and also claimed a third-place finish as the No. 8 seed in the 100 butterfly.

"This is big. In fact, I'm still shaking," Jackson coach Carole Baugh said. "We've had several all-state swimmers, but she was making history. We are all excited."