Targeting 40th Straight State Title, Carmel (Ind.) Cruises to Sectional Crown
As Carmel High School chases a 40th consecutive Indiana state championship, the Greyhounds took care of business at their sectional meet on Saturday. Coached by Chris Plumb, Carmel totaled 587 points to easily finish ahead of Noblesville (394) and Westfield (393). Carmel will pursue its latest state title next weekend at the vaunted Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.
Carmel opened Sectionals by winning the 200-yard medley relay in 1:42.35, thanks to the combination of Leah Debosch (26.77), Molly Sweeney (27.73), Ellie Clarke (23.86) and Sophia Floyd (23.99). The Greyhounds later won the 200 freestyle relay as Floyd (24.14), Lucy Enoch (24.23), Debosch (24.20) and Sweeney (23.02) in 1:35.59.
Bound for the University of Tennessee, Sweeney enjoyed a big day in her home pool. In addition to her relay efforts, Sweeney topped the field in the 100 butterfly with a mark of 53.92 and she followed with a performance of 1:00.63 in the 100 breaststroke, which was good for victory by more than four seconds.
Clarke and Debosch went one-two in the 200 individual medley, with Clarke prevailing in 1:59.08 and Debosch recording a time of 2:01.73. Clarke also won the 100 backstroke, thanks to a swim of 52.65. Floyd emerged on top in the 100 freestyle behind an outing of 51.45.
Other solo Carmel victories were supplied by freshman Haley Morris in the 200 freestyle (1:50.75) and sophomore Story Hughes in the 50 freestyle (24.79). Sabrina Ledwith was the winner of the 500 freestyle in 4:58.73.
Carmel closed the meet with a 3:30.27 win in the 400 freestyle relay, made possible by Floyd (52.05), Morris (52.39), Enoch (52.13) and Helayna Weller (53.70).