Carmel High Looks Sharp in Prelims; Set to Claim 35th Straight Indiana Title (Updated)

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

In pursuit of a 35th consecutive Indiana girls state championship, Carmel High School put together a strong showing during Friday afternoon’s preliminary action at the Indiana University Natatorium. Prelims are being conducted in two waves, with schools from the odd-numbered Sectionals racing in the afternoon, and the schools from the even-numbered Sectionals competing in the evening.

During its session, Carmel delivered several impressive performances, including a 1:41.46 clocking in the 200-yard medley relay. That time figures to be much faster during Saturday’s finals, as the Greyhounds substitute in some of their top guns. Carmel also checked in with a 200 freestyle relay effort of 1:34.31 and a 400 free relay mark of 3:26.01.

Individually, junior Gretchen Lueking shined in a pair of events, as she qualified for the final of the 200 freestyle in 1:46.67 and advanced to the final of the 100 butterfly in 54.50, with teammate Hayley Reed just behind in 54.76. Meghan Christman flashed her speed in the sprint-freestyle events, going 22.59 in the 50 free and 50.19 in the 100 free. In the longer event, Bloomington South’s Kristina Paegle was timed in 49.33.

Berit Berglund cracked the 53-second barrier in the 100 backstroke, going 52.87, and Madelyn Christman posted a double of 2:01.23 in the 200 individual medley and 54.35 in the 100 backstroke. The medley in the second session saw Devon Kitchel clock in at 1:59.49, with the Zionsville High junior also going 54.11 in the 100 fly. Also in the second prelim session, Mya DeWitt went 52.85 in the 100 backstroke.

Note: Will be updated with results from evening prelim session.

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