Columbiana senior Preston Buckingham finished fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke at the state swimming meet Friday night in Canton. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

CANTON — It took four years for Columbiana senior Preston Buckingham to reach the championship podium.

Buckingham, a four-year state qualifier, finished fifth in the Division II 100-yard breaststroke at the 98th OHSAA state swimming meet Friday night.

His time of 57.83 seconds matched his time from Thursday’s preliminaries at C.T. Branin Natatorium.

He was 11th as a freshman, 22nd as a sophomore and ninth as a junior before getting on the podium Friday with top-eight finish.

Buckingham also swam in the consolation finals with Beaver Local sophomore Cole Long in the Division II 200-yard individual medley.

Long was 13th (1:57.99) and Buckingham was 14th (1:59.80).

Hamilton Ross senior Connor Bennett won both events, the 100 breaststroke (55.61) and the 200 individual medley (1:49.32).

Long also was 12th in the 100 backstroke in 53.28 seconds. Hamilton Ross senior Cooper Burt, an Ohio State recruit, won the race in a state-record time of 48.28.

Long improved on both state finishes from last year when he was 18th in the 200 individual medley and 28th in the 100 backstroke.

The state swimming meet continues Saturday with the Division I boys and girls finals beginning at 3 p.m.