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Carmel wins 10th straight title in convincing fashion

Will Willems, Special to IHSAA.org
Posted: February 24, 2024
2023-24 BSw Photo 1
Photo Credit: Double Edge Media @demllc

INDIANAPOLIS – Carmel swimming head coach Chris Plumb didn’t want to compare his title teams on Saturday afternoon after his Greyhounds won their 10th-straight IHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving title at the IU Natatorium.

But he enjoyed the way this group of swimmers attacked the day, cruising to a state title with a great display of depth and talent.

“I don’t want to say one means more than another, but it is certainly a great feeling to have so many boys contribute and feel like they’re a part of the team,” Plumb said. “It really helps the camaraderie and they are really supporting each other and are happy for each other. To have that ‘we are in it for each other’ that’s really significant.

Plumb has now led Carmel to 31 state titles (18 girls, 13 boys).

Carmel became the first team in boys team in the history of the IHSAA to win 10 straight state titles.

The 409 points were the second most in state history, trailing only Carmel’s 2017-18 team that featured two future Olympians. The 244 point margin over second Penn, was the largest margin in state history by 18 points.

“We have great connections with Carmel legends like Jake Mitchell, Drew Kibler and Wyatt Davis, and being able to add on to that is special,” senior Gregg Enoch said. “Ten years in a row is something great, and I know these underclassmen will keep it going.”

Enoch was the Greyhounds lone individual event winner, claiming the titles in the 200-yard IM in 1:45.06 and the 500-yard freestyle in 4:19.55.

He was also part of the victorious 200- (1:22.02) and 400-yard freestyle relays (3:02.79) that helped complete a relay sweep for the Greyhounds (they won the medley relay in 1:29.39).

Along with the wins, Carmel racked up points with their depth, advancing 26 of 27 swims from the prelims, including 20 in the championship final.

They had three in the championship final in the individual medley, 50-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle.

“It speaks to the depth and hard work of the entire team,” Plumb said. “The top guys bringing the guys up to make sure that they set the standard with this level. To have 20 ‘A’ final swims is makes that score happen, and it’s not easy to do. That’s depth, that’s versatility, it’s speed and distance – we had it all.”

Enoch added the other schools around the state have upped their games, bringing out the best in Carmel.

Six different schools claimed state titles on Saturday, with 28 schools earning spots on the podium.

“Indiana swimming is probably one of the best states for swimming,” Enoch said. “You talk to some of these college coaches and they talk about how Indiana swimming is like no other. There’s something here - the timers, the officials, the atmosphere -  I think you are destined for fast swims.”

Besides Enoch, two other individuals claimed two event titles.

Harrison’s Matthew Klinge became a three-time champion in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 19.45 seconds, 0.07 seconds behind the state record and the fastest time in a final in state history.

He became just the 29th athlete in state history to win the same individual event three years in a row and just the fourth to do it in the 50-yard freestyle.

He also repeated as the state champion in the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 47.67.

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Matthew Klinge of Harrison (West Lafayette) won his third consecutive 50 Free title, the first three-peat in the event since 1998 (Double Edge Media @demllc).

 

Zionsville’s Walker Mattice claimed the titles in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:36.86 and the 100-yard freestyle in 44.26.

Mattice was also named the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award winner.

“It’s such a big honor and I really wasn’t expecting it,” Mattice said. “It really makes everything pay off, not just the swimming, but the community service I’ve done over the last couple of years and the work in the classroom.”

For the second-straight year, the Hamilton Heights diving duo of Ethan Swart and Nathan Cox went 1-2 in the event, with Swart winning with a score of 585.75 and Cox second in 563.35.

Center Grove sophomore Henry Lyness won the 100-yard backstroke in 48.06 and South Bend Riley’s Christopher Bartmess won the 100-yard breaststroke in 53.78.

Penn’s second place finish was their best since finishing runner-up in 2005. They finished with 165 points to top Fishers (158) and Zionsville (150).

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Zionsville's Walker Mattice named Keller Mental Attitude Award recipient

Walker Mattice of Zionsville High School was named the recipient of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award following the meet by the IHSAA Executive Committee.

On Saturday, Walker finished as State Champion in both the 100 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle. He also was a member on Zionsville's fifth place 400 Free Relay team and third place 200 Free Relay team. Walker was a member of Zionsville's 2023 State Championship and State Meet Record 200 Free Relay team. He was a two-time Team State Runner-Up in 2022 and 2023.

Outside the pool, Walker volunteers his time with Zionsville United Methodist Church, Zionsville Rotary Club, St. Vincent Pantry, and Zionsville's Swim Club. He is a member of Zionsville's National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Club. He was recognized by the Indiana Association of School Principals as a Class of 2024 Rising Star. In the classroom, Walker has earned a 4.57 weighted GPA.

Walker, the son of Brooks and Jennifer Mattice, will be majoring in Electrical Engeineering and minoring in Semiconductor Engineering at Purdue University in the fall.

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. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s proud corporate partner, presented $1,000 to Zionsville High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Walker Mattice.

The award, renamed in 1974, honors Herman F. Keller, former IHSAA assistant commissioner who served the Association from 1961-73.

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Walker Mattice of Zionsville High School was selected as the recipient of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award after the meet (Double Edge Media @demllc).

 

The 87th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
February 23-24, 2024

Final Results 

Top 10 Teams

1.

Carmel

409

2.

Penn

165

3.

Fishers

158

4.

Zionsville

150

5.

Bloomington South

123

6.

South Bend Riley

118

7.

Harrison (West Lafayette)

102

8.

Valparaiso

98

9.

Center Grove

96

10.

Hamilton Southeastern

82

State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Carmel (Anderson Kopp 11, Brandon Malicki 12, Andrew Shackell 11, Michael Gorey 11) 1:29.39
200 Freestyle: Walker Mattice (12) Zionsville 1:36.86
200 Individual Medley: Gregg Enoch (12) Carmel 1:45.06
50 Freestyle: Matthew Klinge (12) Harrison (West Lafayette) :19.45 Third straight crown
One Meter Diving: Ethan Swart (12) Hamilton Heights 585.75 Repeat state champion
100 Butterfly: Matthew Klinge (12) Harrison (West Lafayette) :47.67 Repeat state champion
100 Freestyle:Walker Mattice (12) Zionsville :44.26
500 Freestyle: Gregg Enoch (12) Carmel 4:19.55
200 Freestyle Relay: Carmel (Andrew Shackell 11, Brandon Malicki 12, Michael Gorey 11, Gregg Enoch 12) 1:22.02 
100 Backstroke: Henry Lyness (10) Center Grove :48.06 
100 Breaststroke: Christopher Bartmess (12) South Bend Riley :53.78
400 Freestyle Relay: Carmel (Lewis Zhang 10, William Allen 9, Ethan Zhang 11, Gregg Enoch 12) 3:02.79