This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore Katie Belle Sikes, the 2022 3A State Women’s Swimming Champion in the 50 yard freestyle. Sikes is the first female swimming state champion in Orange High School history. Last Saturday at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, Sikes won the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 23.24 seconds, earning her All-American consideration. Sikes also finished 3rd in the 100 yard freestyle. Already in her high school career, Sikes won a silver medal as a freshman in the 50 yard freestyle. Unlike her freshman season, Sikes found herself competing around large crowds and more competitors. Sikes credits her experience competing at the Junior Winter Nationals in Greensboro last month in helping her face the size of the crowds that she went against in Cary last weekend. Last month, Sikes won two Central Carolina Conference championships at the Orange County SportsPlex. As spring approaches, Sikes will be competing in various club competitions as she prepares for her junior season at Orange. But she has already cemented her name into the history books as the most successful female swimmer in Orange High history. Sikes is also the #1 ranked sophomore female swimmer in North Carolina.