Cathedral swimmer Johnathan Elliot used to consider the butterfly his best stroke.

After becoming the high school state champion in the 100-meter backstroke Saturday at the Overall State swim meet in Biloxi, he’s reconsidering his strongest event.

&uot;Yeah, I’m thinking it’s the backstroke now,&uot; Elliot said. &uot;Or maybe there just weren’t as many fast people in that event.&uot;

Elliot qualified for the meet by placing first in the backstroke last week at the South State meet, also in Biloxi.

&uot;I’m a little surprised,&uot; he said. &uot;I thought I’d do well, but not that well.&uot;

Elliot swam the event in 57.82 – good enough to beat 31 other swimmers and earn a state title.

&uot;I started out really well and I turned really well except for the last one,&uot; he said. &uot;I thought that last turn would kill me. But I guess it wasn’t enough to do me in.&uot;

Elliot also placed fourth in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 59.00.

Two other Cathedral swimmers, Erin Hyatt and Nan White, also qualified for the meet. Hyatt posted a time of 33.41 in the 50-meter freestyle, and White swam the 200-meter freestyle in 2:29.08 and the 100-meter freestyle in 1:06.93.