American relay

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Apr 2003

We want to share the latest news you have about outstanding swimmers on your team or your teams latest accomplishments. Send your letter, press release or team newsletter to Swimming World, P.O. Box 20227, Sedona, AZ 86341; fax 928-284-2477. Photos: welcome!

Indiana

Carmel High School won its 17th straight girls high school title, Feb. 14-15, at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis. In the narrowest race since the streak began, Carmel defeated North Central, 277 to 259. Rounding out the top five schools were Munster, Columbus North and Hamilton Southeastern. Two records fell during the state meet: North Central senior Julie Broms won the 1-meter diving title (477.00 points) and South Dearborn's Katie Robinson set her mark in the 100 yard fly (54.64). Robinson also defended her title in the 50 free (23.15). Two seniors closed out their high school careers with two wins each. North Central's Susan Hentschel won the 100 free by 1 -hundredth over Carmel's Taylor Baughman (50.47) and gained her second title in three years in the 200 free (1:50.33). Columbus North's Leah Retrum won the 500 free for the fourth straight year (4:46.13)-the second swimmer to do so in Indiana history-and the 200 IM in 2:01.50 for the third consecutive time.

Kentucky

Several of the top high school teams in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee met in a double dual meet, Jan. 25, to determine the best teams in the region. On the boys' side, last year's state champion from Kentucky (Louisville St. Xavier) took on the 2002 champions from Ohio (Cincinnati St. Xavier) and Tennessee (McCallie School). Cincinnati won the battle of St. Xaviers, 118.5 to 67.5, and also triumphed over McCallie School 128 to 55. Louisville St. Xavier defeated McCallie, 109 to 74. In girls' competition, Kentucky's 2002 runner-up, Sacred Heart, swam against last year's state champions Cincinnati Ursuline (Ohio) and Harpeth Hall (Tenn.). As No. 2, Sacred Heart must have "tried harder"-it beat Harpeth Hall, 108.5 to 63.5, and Ursuline, 100 to 66. Harpeth Hall won over Ursuline, 91 to 78.

Michigan

The Capital Area Swim Team from Lansing sent a group of 8-and-under swimmers to compete in the Michigan 8 and Under Championships, Feb. 15, in Grand Rapids. Swimming were Robert Aultz, Avery Batchelor, Katie Dudley, Leigh Fairless, Adam Marsh, Sami Miller, Amy Warner and Courtney Weyhing. They combined for seven state championship titles (five individual and two relays).

Ohio

The swimmers and divers of St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo won their 38th straight Northwest Ohio district title. The Knights have won the title every year since it was first created in 1965. Head coach Keith Kennedy was honored as the 2003 District Coach of the Year. The team went on to finish 12th at the Ohio State Championships, Feb. 20-22.

Pennsylvania

The Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships, the largest prep school swimming and diving competition in the nation, was held for the 103rd time, Feb. 21-22, at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington. Germantown captured the girls' team title with 667.5 points. Mercersburg placed second with 390 points, followed closely by The Peddie School's 373.5. Peddie claimed the boys' division with 407 points. Germantown came in second with 370 and La Salle finished in third with 350. Three swimmers took home two individual titles each: Lisa Shelps, Mercersburg (50 yard free, 23.97; 100 back, 58.34); Kirsten Jones, Germantown (200 free, 1:53.17; 500 free, 4:57.95); and Bill Marcum, O'Hara (50 free, 21.26; 100 free, 46.20).

Texas

Four state records were set at the Texas 5A High School Girls Championships. Cedar Park's Alison McLeod bettered the 100 yard fly record (54.25), as did Whitney Hall from Flower Mound in the 100 breast (1:02.35). Bowie High School's teams also set two relay records: the 200 medley (1:44.51) and 400 free (3:28.01). Bowie's Hayley McGregory (100 free, 51.09; 100 back, 54.59) and Lamar's Codie Hansen (200 free, 1:48.00; 500 free, 4:52.54) won two events each. Two boys also won two events each: Kingwood's Brad Raiford (50 free, 20.94; 100 free, 46.08) and Reagan's David Donaldson (100 fly, 49.67; 200 IM, 1:51.04).

In Texas 4A competition, Highland Park swept the girls relays and had three individual event winners: Jennifer Blackman won the sprint free (50 free, 23.63; 100 free, 50.93); sister Candace won the 200 free (1:48.90) and 100 fly (55.37); and Brittany Sacco was victorious in the 100 breast (1:05.38). Nacogdoches' Tiger Christian was the only two-event 4A winner among the boys, capturing the 100 fly (51.46) and 200 IM (1:52.96).

Wisconsin

Besides Garrett Weber-- Gale's national public school record (43.49) in the 100 yard free (see "Lane 9," page 10), there was plenty of other excitement at the Wisconsin Division I Boys Championships, held Feb. 22. Garrett also tied his own state record in the 100 yard back (49.73), as did Waukesha North's Kyle Bubolz (100 fly, 47.71) and Arrowhead's 200 medley relay of Chris Perry, Chase Gravengood, Mark Johnson and Josh Fulks (1:33.94). Arrowhead won the championship title with 281 points to Madison Memorial's 238 and Middleton's 191.