That's because the Penn State-bound senior had his goals on the national record of 19.83 seconds, saying he wanted to go "well below 20." Instead he won in 20.40, which is only the fourth sub 20.5 time in Illinois history, including his winning time of 20.14 last year.

"I did my job," Alden said when greeted by Neuqua coach Chad Allen in the warm up pool after winning the 50.

Alden joins Brian Kurta (1986-88) of Hinsdale South as the only boys swimmers to win three 50 free state titles in a row.

The Wildcats are on pace to capture their first team state championship through four events. Kevin Overholt was second in the 200 freestyle, Hans Peters was 11th and the Wildcats took sixth in the 200 medley relay. That is exactly how NV was seeded, and the Wildcats had the highest point total based on seed times entering the finals.

Overholt said the team had set its goal to get 162 points.

"Nobody has got that many points and lost," Overholt said after his second runner-up in the 200 in as many years.