Alex Shackell Claims 100 Fly Title at Sectionals; Carmel Stacking Three Relays for Indiana States
One week shy of the Indiana Girls High School Championships, the legendary program at Carmel High School has revealed its approach to the postseason. Coach Chris Plumb and the Greyhounds are stacking all three relays, with Olympian Alex Shackell contesting the 100-yard butterfly on an individual basis and going to work in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay.
In pursuit of a 39th consecutive state championship, the Greygounds dominated the Carmel Sectional on Saturday and suggested some major performances could be on offer when the state meet is held next weekend at the famed IU Natatorium. Shackell destroyed the field in the 100 butterfly, clocking a time of 50.68 for a victory of nearly four seconds.
Shackell also helped Carmel prevail in all three relays, including a 1:40.09 effort in the opening 200 medley relay. Joining Leah Debosch (backstroke; 26.32), Lucy Enoch (breaststroke; 28.62) and Faith Gorey (freestyle; 22.72), the Greyhounds won by more than eight seconds. Schackell checked in with a split of 22.43.
Carmel also swept the freestyle relays, with Shackell anchoring both units. In the 200 free relay, Priscilla Smith (23.95), Molly Sweeney (23.10) and Gorey (23.16) preceded Shackell, who closed in 22.05 to punctuate a 1:32.26 effort. In the 400 free relay, Carmel touched in 3:21.46, with Lynsey Bowen leading off in 51.34 and Gorey going 50.60 on the second leg. Kayla Barr was 51.39 on the third leg and Shackell anchored in 48.13.
Bowen won the 200 free in 1:48.07 and Sweeney doubled in the 200 individual medley (1:59.76) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.65). Alexandria Clark topped the field in the 50 free in 23.81 and Gorey was quickest in the 100 free, going 50.04. Another Carmel title was claimed by Alexandra Ward in 4:55.09.
With a week of rest before states and the chance for Plumb to finalize his relay orders, Carmel has a chance to chase – as is tradition – some national records in Indianapolis.
