February 27, 2016

Carmel Nips Zionsville in final relay to claim Team Title
It came down to the final relay race of the day as Carmel repeated as state champion during the 79th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis.

The Greyhounds took second place in the 400 freestyle relay in 3:05.50, more than two seconds faster than fourth place Zionsville in 3:07.89 to earn the needed points to edge the Eagles, 216-215. It was the fifth state championship for Carmel in the last seven years with each coming under guidance of Chris Plumb. Plumb also guided the school's girls team to a record 30th consecutive state crown two weeks ago.

Avon placed third with 192 points, followed by Northridge with 185 and Carroll (Fort Wayne) ended fifth with 174.

The Greyhounds scored two individual champions in Troy Li who claimed the 200 freestyle in 1:38.59 and Charles Vaughn who followed by winning the 200 individual medley in 1:48.13.

Avon's Chandler Bray claimed the 100 breaststroke state championship in 53.82 following Friday's night's national record effort of 52.65. The Orioles also won two relays including a state record performance in the 200 freestyle relay. The senior foursome of Grant Sprout, Vishaal Mali, Bray and Vince Partlow clocked a winning effort of 1:23.20 breaking the previous mark of 1:23.75 set by Carmel back in 1994. Garrett Hammons, Bray, Partlow and Sprout also led off the meet in winning the 200 medley relay in 1:30.72.

Jack Franzman represented Zionsville well with two state titles sweeping the freestyle sprints. He won the 50 in 20.25 and the 100 in 44.93. Franzman was joined by teammate Tyler Harmon who won the 100 backstroke in 48.87.

Homestead's Kevin Frebel repeated as state champion in one meter diving with 613.35 points outdistancing his closest competitor by more than 100 points.

Ryan Huizing of Carroll (Fort Wayne) captured the 100 butterfly in 48.51 and then led off the Chargers' winning 400 freestyle relay with Zachary Sagan, Parker Bull and Jackson Kent in 3:05.10.

Northridge's Spencer Lehman landed the 500 freestyle title in 4:25.60.

The 79th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
February 26-27, 2016

Top 10 Teams
1. Carmel 216
2. Zionsville 215
3. Avon 192
4. Northridge 185
5. Carroll (Fort Wayne) 174
6. Chesterton 144
7. Fishers 132
8. Homestead 110
9. Valparaiso 86
10. Castle 81.5


State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Avon (Garrett Hammons, 12; Chandler Bray, 12; Vince Partlow, 12; Grant Sprout, 12) 1:30.72.
200 Freestyle: Troy Li, 12, Carmel, 1:38.59.
200 Individual Medley: Charles Vaughan, 11, Carmel, 1:48.13.
50 Freestyle: 
Jack Franzman, 10, Zionsville, :20.25.
One Meter Diving: Kevin Frebel, 12, Homestead, 613.35.
100 Butterfly: 
Ryan Huizing, 12, Carroll (Fort Wayne), :48.51.
100 Freestyle: 
Jack Franzman, 10, Zionsville, :44.93.
500 Freestyle: 
Spencer Lehman, 11, Northridge, 4:25.60.
200 Freestyle Relay: 
Avon (Grant Sprout, 12; Vishaal Mali, 12; Chandler Bray, 12; Vince Partlow, 12) 1:23.20. State Record
100 Backstroke: 
Tyler Harmon, 11, Zionsville, :48.87.
100 Breaststroke: 
Chandler Bray, 12, Avon, :53.82.
400 Freestyle Relay: 
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (Ryan Huizing, 12; Zachary Sagan, 12; Parker Bull, 11; Jackson Kent, 11) 3:05.10.

State Records During Saturday's Championship Finals
200 Freestyle Relay
: Avon (Grant Sprout, 12; Vishaal Mali, 12; Chandler Bray, 12; Vince Partlow, 12) 1:23.20.

State Records During Friday's Preliminaries
100 Yard Breaststroke: Chandler Bray, 12, Avon, :52.65. National Record

Avon's Chandler Bray named Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award
Chandler Bray was recognized following the state championship meet by the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s winner of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award.

Bray was a member of Avon's 1st place 200 Medley Relay team, finished 4th in the 200 IM, 1st as a member of the state record holder 200 Freestyle Relay, 1st in the 100 Breaststroke, while becoming the National Record Holder in the 100 Breaststroke during Friday's prelims with a time of 52.65.

Besides swimming, Bray has been an active member in both the National Honor Society, and Student Athletic Council. Bray has volunteered with Avon Community Swim Team hosted events, community swim lessons, and he has also spent time working with the kindergarten classes at the YMCA of Avon.

He is the son of Corey and Kimberly Bray of Avon and will attend the University of Florida where he will continue competing in swimming while aiming to complete a degree in the medical field.

Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award, renamed in 1974, honors the former IHSAA assistant commissioner who served the Association from 1961 to 1973.

The Committee presented $1,000 to Avon High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Chandler Bray.