By Anthony Mock
MaxPreps.com
Could Indiana – “The Hoosier State” – become known more for swimming than basketball?
That might be a stretch, but Indiana has produced a plethora of swimming All-Americans and is blessed when it comes to indoor facilities, including the Natatorium at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI), which is the site of many top-flight meets and the Olympic trials.
The effort and money spent on non-mainstream sports, such as swimming, in Indiana has resulted in great in-state competition and has built some powerhouses. The most prominent of all the dominant programs is Carmel, which won its 23rd state championship in a row on Saturday.
It is the longest active state championship streak in the country, regardless of sport or gender. Overall, it is the longest streak of state championships by a girls program ever.
The Greyhounds took their 23rd title by a commanding 200 points over second-ranked Hamilton Southeastern, 427-227.
"I knew that we were pretty good," said third-year Carmel head coach Chris Plumb, the Greyhounds fifth different leader during their unprecedented run. "But I was surprised to see that many of our kids swim that well all at one meet. They worked really hard for all their spots and they take (winning) very seriously, but it was still impressive."
To put it in perspective, there is a "mythical" national meet held after each state’s swimming finals are completed, where coaches send in their team’s winning times in each event. This year, three Indiana schools placed in the top 10 (Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern and Center Grove), proving that Carmel is among the best in the country once again.
Carmel walked into the state finals like it was just another meet. If there were any pre-pool jitters, the Greyhounds did not let it show on their faces or in their times.
"Every athlete experiences doubt or gets nervous, they wouldn’t be human if they didn’t," Plumb said. "I think this year, the girls really relied on their senior leadership. A lot of our girls had been (to the state meet) before, so they really supported each other and I think that really brought out team together and allowed us to do as well as we did."
Carmel took home three relay titles, setting national records in the 200 medley (1:41.68) for the second day in a row, the 200 free (1:32.75) and a state record in the 400 free (3:24.22).
In addition, Carmel notched five individual championships, taking two-thirds of the state’s titles and displaying their versatility and depth. In 2008, Trish Regan won the 200 freestyle, but opted to enter a different race this year. Despite the fact that the 200 medley is a different race with different competition, Regan, a junior, still walked away with the title.
Carmel did not relinquish its hold on the 200 freestyle, as senior Greyhound Logan Mason captured the crown. Senior Megan Detro took the honors in the 50 freestyle, sophomore Lauren Jordan topped the 500 freestyle, and senior Jessie Hammes won the 100 backstroke and also netted the Indiana High School Athletic Association Mental Attitude Award.
The boys swim team at Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, holds the current record for the longest state championship streak in any sport at 29. Their reign ended in 1986, and the Greyhounds have every reason to believe they can keep pushing towards that mark, though it is among the furthest things from Plumb’s mind.
"It’s always in the back of your head," Plumb said. "But my biggest concern is getting my kids to swim faster. If we continue to improve and do the best that we can, the results will take care of themselves."
The Greyhounds have kept that same attitude for 23 years now, and there is no indication that they plan to slow down.
Other State Winners
Westfield’s Kait Flederbach won the 100-freestyle, becoming the first swimmer in school history to take home a state title by edging out defending champion Carly Mercer of Hamiton Southeastern.
Noblesville sophomore Kattie Bittner won the state diving competition in her first state finals appearance, Fort Wayne Homestead’s McKenzie Bagan, a senior, was tops in the 100 butterfly, and her sophomore sister Tori won the 100 breaststroke.
