Lilly Robertson wants to write her name in University of Tennessee swimming history like her dad. 

Literally and figuratively. 

The Ensworth junior, who successfully defended her 100- and 200-yard freestyle titles at the TISCA state championships at Centennial Sportsplex, is following in her dad Doug Robertson’s footsteps after committing to Tennessee in September.

Doug competed at UT from 1982-86, earning All-America honors in the 400 and 800 freestyle relay a combined four times. 

Vols swimmers are allowed to write their names in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center rafters after they finish the program. 

“I’ve always had this dream of writing my name right under his,” Lilly said. “It’s kind of like a legacy thing, I guess. I think he’ll be able to show me where it’s at.

“He’s definitely one of my biggest swimming heroes. I never would have swam if he hadn’t pushed me.”

Doug, 59, still swims competitively as part of Ensworth’s U.S. Masters adult program.

“Some kids don’t want to follow their parents. But I look at Lilly’s pictures and all through her life she was wearing orange,” he said. “She just grew up loving Tennessee. It really wasn’t about me. She was just a Vol.” 

Lilly Robertson won the 100 free Saturday with a time of 49.80 seconds after winning the 200 in 1:49.70 on Friday. She also helped Ensworth teammates Alex Glenn, Julia Mason, Riley Wagers and Lizzie McWilliams capture the 200 and 400 free relay titles. 

Last year, the Ensworth team didn’t dress up with props for the finals like other teams during the musically themed walk to the starting blocks. This year, they all wore orange tutus. 

“This year it had a little different vibe,” Robertson said. “We had some fun and it definitely calms you a little bit.”

Mack Schumann and Spencer Nicholas win multiple titles

Donelson Christian Academy senior Mack Schumann and M.L. King senior Spencer Nicholas also padded their medal totals on the championship’s final day.  

Nicholas won the 100 backstroke with a time of 46.68, adding to his state-record 100 butterfly title from the day before. 

Schumann won the 500 free in 4:22.38 for his second title after winning the 200 free Friday. They are his first state titles. 

More: MLK’s Spencer Nicholas breaks state record in 100 butterfly twice in Tennessee state swim meet

“I think it was just a lot of the training, a lot of simple things, making sure I set those races up well,” Schumann said. 

He pulled away down the stretch in the 500 to leave no doubt. 

“That’s something I’ve been working on,” Schumann said. “Everyone has that push in the middle of the race. Just working on when they push, I just push back harder.” 

There’s more for Nicholas. He’s gearing up for the U.S. Olympic team trials June 15-23 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“I don’t know what will come out of that, but I’m excited about the opportunity,” he said. “I’ve been working for the past year to get prepared for a great swim season, a great state meet and then competing at the U.S. trials.”

Other notable wins from the state meet: University School of Nashville’s Anna Hulan won the girls 200 individual medley (2:02.71), Franklin Road Academy’s Matson Ballew won the boys 200 IM (1:48.08), Harpeth Hall’s Margaret Petty won the girls’ 50 free (22.08), Brentwood’s George Attmore won the boys 100 breaststroke (54.21) and Mt. Juliet freshman Bryce Winzenread won the girls 100 breaststroke (1:02.80). 

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.