KAREN LEETH TO BE INDUCTED ONTO

INDIANA SWIMMING WALL OF FAME

Indiana Swimming will induct its newest member onto the Indiana Swimming Wall of Fame during a brief ceremony on Saturday, February 14, prior to the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Girls Swimming and Diving State Finals. Ms. Leeth passed away in the spring of 2003. Her family will be present to accept this honor.

The Indiana Swimming Wall of Fame is located at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis. Swimmers and divers from Indiana who have competed in an Olympic Games, as well as their Hoosier coaches, are eligible to be honored on this wall. Karen Leeth coached 2000 U.S. Olympian swimmer Lindsay Benko while at Elkhart Central High School.

Indiana Swimming, the governing body for amateur competitive swimming in Indiana, wanted to honor Karen in her high school setting. Karen Leeth won a national-record 234 girls high school swimming dual meets in a row. This streak is an Indiana high school record in any sport. Her overall record was 345-23-1 in 23 seasons.

Indiana Swimming would like to thank the IHSAA for its cooperation in planning this induction ceremony during the swimming state championships.

SIX TO BE HONORED AT STATE FINALS

Six former head coaches will be honored prior to Saturday’s IHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving State Championships at the I.U. Natatorium:

Tony Young-Tony Young won 9 consecutive state titles while at Carmel between the school years of 1991-92 and 1999-00. His 9 consecutive titles at Carmel is tied with wrestling coach Mike Goebel of Evansville Mater Dei for the most consecutive state titles at one school in IHSAA history. Tony is now the Sport Develop Director for Indiana Swimming.

Ken Stopkotte-Ken had 3 consecutive state titles to his credit during his tenure at Carmel High School, 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2002-03. Carmel will be in defense of 17 consecutive state titles dating back to 1986-87 and spanning 3 coaches.

Marjie Smith-Marjie Smith led her Lafayette Jefferson team to the first ever IHSAA Girls State Swimming Title in March of 1975. The finals were held at Warren Central High School. That year, 94 schools participated at the sectional level-this year there were 243. Marjie would like to thank her co-coach Jim Sharp for his contribution to the program.

Jim Sheridan-Jim Sheridan has captured state titles at 2 different schools. He won his first with the Columbus East girls’ team in 1982-83. He also won 3 consecutive with the Columbus North boys squad from 1998-2000. Jim is the Dean of Students and swim coach at Columbus North High School.

Susan Turner Nielsen-Susan was the head coach at Ben Davis High School during their state title run in 1980-81. She is currently a guidance counselor at Pike High School.

Betty Leibert Lukoshus-Betty was the first coach to win multiple State Championships in swimming. She led Munster High School to 3 state titles in 1975-76, 1976-77 and 1977-78. Betty left coaching to become a kindergarten teacher and is now a Reading Recovery teacher.