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State Champions honored in Boys Swimming & Diving
INDIANAPOLIS - Carmel head coach Chris Plumb thought his team swam a little nervous at the beginning of the prelims on Friday night at the IHSAA Boys State Swimming and Diving Finals.
But once they found their rhythm, there was little any one could do to stop the Greyhounds.
Carmel won their 12th straight title on Saturday afternoon at the IU Natatorium, scoring 408 points to be well ahead of second Penn (247).
"They are willing to do whatever it takes," Plumb said of his team. "They speak their mind, but they are willing to do whatever the team needs. That speaks to the brotherhood they've created and the culture. These guys love each other, they go to work everyday and battle each other in practice."
The 408 points scored by Carmel were the fourth most in the state history and the third-straight year they finished with more than 400 points.
Junior Trent Allen said that while every championship team is special, this group of Greyhounds formed a tight brotherhood that made this year even sweeter.
"The amount of guys we have at such a high level, and the camaraderie we have in practice and meets - every one is rooting for everyone, no one is hoping someone does bad," Allen said. "Every one is rooting for the team, and it's just a great culture."
Allen was a big part of the Greyhounds success.
He repeated the distance double, winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1:35.08 and the 500-yard freestyle in 4:20.02.
Allen is the first to repeat in those two events since Jake Mitchell in 2019 and 2020.
"It's the best feeling there is," Allen said of winning his two individual events. "I think it went great. I was stoked with the way it went."
The Greyhounds dominated the two distance races, going 1-2-4 in the 200-free and 1-2-3 in the 500-free. Lewis Zhang got second in both events, with William Lathrop placing fourth in the 200 and Austin Bruford placing third in the 500.
Allen said he felt like the Greyhounds have the best distance group in the country, and that they push each other every day in practice.
Plumb said one thing that stands out about them is their work ethic, and even if they aren't put into one of the events for a meet, they are looking for other ways to contribute.
"Having dominant performances and scoring a lot of points in those, those are the events that come down to working, being consistent and doing it time and time again," Plumb said. "It's a blue collar group that can do that and just do it consistently."
Carmel kicked off the meet with a win in the medley relay, with the team of Carter Hadley, Yi Zheng, Jack Street and Donald Zhao finishing in a time of 1:29.24.
After Allen won the 200-free, Zheng won the 200-yard IM in a time of 1:43.92.
Zheng, who swam 1:43.60 in the sectional, was just off the IHSAA record of 1:43.74 (state records can only be set in the State Finals). He also placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke later in the meet.
"It feels great to stand on top of the podium after a long season," Zheng said. "I went for (the record) in the first 100, and kind of felt it a little bit in the end, but I am glad I went for it and got close. Next year, I'll definitely come back and try to destroy the record."
Carmel senior Carter Hadley won his first individual title, taking first in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 48.41. He was also second in the 100-yard freestyle in 44.22.
The Greyhounds capped the meet with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team of Allen, Hadley, Zhang and Zheng finished in 2:57.63.
Allen said with the group coming back, the Greyhounds are hungry for more.
"With the team we had this year, the seniors were awesome, but I feel like we're only getting better," Allen said. "I feel like with the team we have, we are building something special for next year, and next year a lot of records are going to go down."
Carmel was far from the only school to find success on the weekend.
Bloomington South sophomore Peter Kovacs swept the sprint freestyles, winning the 50-yard freestyle in 20.12 and the 100-yard freestyle in 43.79.
They were the first two titles for Kovacs, who's brother David was the state champion in the IM and backstroke last year.
"It feels great, especially knowing that my brother won two last year," Kovacs said. "I knew it was going to be tough, but I managed to get away with the win."
With two years to go in his high school career, he said he is excited to see what the next couple of years hold.
"It gives me a little confidence, and it adds a little bit of pressure too," Kovacs said. "Being a two-time champion, I have to carry that on now."
Fishers junior Alex Koo won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 48.15. Franklin Community senior Lucas Ackermann won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 53.23.
Homestead took the 200-yard freestyle relay, with the team of Logan Poswinski, Hayden Lynam, Josiah Collins and Jackson Pyle winning in 1:22.41.
One of the more thrilling finishes came in the diving competition.
Warsaw's Ian Parrott trailed heading to round 11, but nailed his final dive to claim the state title with a score of 556.50.
Parrott said walking up to the board, he knew the opportunity to get the win was there, but had to make sure he stayed composed.
"I was super excited walking up there for the first few seconds, but I had to do what I normally do, just calm my mind," Parrott said. "Then I just did the dive like I have been. I just thought of the things I needed to do, and then knew the rest would take care of itself."
After the meet, Parrott was named the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award winner.
He was a four-time state qualifier, improving from 23rd, to ninth, to third and now champion.
"This is as good as it can get," Parrott said. "There were so many good people along the way. I think getting to know all these guys, seeing good they are and being able to compete with them, it's just been great."
Ian Parrott named Keller Mental Attitude recipient
Ian Parrott of Warsaw Community High School was named the recipient of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award following the meet by the IHSAA Executive Committee.
Ian is the Northern Lakes Conference record holder in diving and holds numerous pool records. He's a three-time sectional champion and three-time regional champion.
Ian ranks 7th in his senior class of 475 students. He serves as Vice President of Warsaw's National Honor Society and is a member of Inclusivity Council and Business Professionals of America.
Ian is a four-time state qualifier in diving, finishing 23rd as a Freshman, 9th as a Sophomore, 3rd as a Junior, and as State Champion this year as a Senior. He finished with a score of 556.50 on Saturday.
Ian is the son of Russ and Rebecca Parrott of Winona Lake, Indiana. Ian plans to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at either Purdue Univeristy or University of Notre Dame.
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 Warsaw Community High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Ian Parrott.
The award, renamed in 1974, honors Herman F. Keller, former IHSAA assistant commissioner who served the Association from 1961-73.
The 89th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IU Indianapolis
February 27-28, 2026
Top 10 Teams
1. Carmel 408
2. Penn 247
3. Homestead 201
4. Center Grove 189
5. Fishers 166
6. Oak Hill 111
7. Bloomington South 85
8. Carroll (Fort Wayne) 71
9. Zionsville 70
10. Westfield 69
State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Carmel (Carter Hadley 12, Yi Zheng 11, Jack Street 11, Donald Zhao 11) 1:29.24
200 Freestyle: William Allen (11) Carmel, 1:35.08
200 Individual Medley: Yi Zheng (11) Carmel, 1:43.92
50 Freestyle: Peter Kovacs (10) Bloomington South, :20.12
One Meter Diving: Ian Parrott (12) Warsaw Community, 556.50
100 Butterfly: Alex Koo (11) Fishers, :48.15
100 Freestyle: Peter Kovacs (10) Bloomington South, :43.79
500 Freestyle: William Allen (11) Carmel, 4:20.02
200 Freestyle Relay: Homestead (Logan Poswinski 12, Hayden Lynam 12, Josiah Collins 10, Jackson Pyle 12) 1:22.41
100 Backstroke: Carter Hadley (12) Carmel, :48.41
100 Breaststroke: Lucas Ackermann (x) Franklin Community, :53.23
400 Freestyle Relay: Carmel (William Allen 11, Carter Hadley 12, Lewis Zhang 12, Yi Zheng 11) 2:57.63