By Mike McGrawExecutive DirectorINDIANAPOLIS – It is the second week of December. It was a dual meet
between Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference powers that requires a far different type of depth than tournament swimming as the swimmers are on different training schedules and regimens.
All that points to the fact that the Dec. 9 meet between Carmel and host North Central (Indianapolis) was anything but a true showdown between the two state powers. Don’t try and tell that to swimming fans, though.
All a fan of swimming needs to hear are the words “Carmel” and “North Central,” and they are ready for big news. In this instance, the news was as expected.
Carmel’s top-ranked girls easily defeated their No. 13 neighborhood rivals, while the top-ranked boys from North Central returned the favor against the No. 4 male Greyhounds.
The Carmel girls eased to victory, 107-79, on the evening. The Greyhounds were led by double-winner Rhiannon Sheets, who took honors in both the 200-yard freestyle and the 100 butterfly. It was the famous depth of the Greyhounds, however, that sealed this victory.
Even in those events won by North Central, Carmel generally had two of the first three finishers, and that offset some outstanding performances from Panther swimmers. North Central won two of the three relay events but, most notably, Lauren Massey turned in an outstanding 50 free swim and also defeated Carmel’s Devon Mason in the 100 free.
(The 100 free is featured in the top video player on this page!)On the other side, North Central’s boys were strong throughout the evening in rolling to a 114-72 victory. The Panthers won all but two events as the Greyhounds broke through only with Charles Williams in the 50 free and in winning the diving competition. North Central was led by Brandon Siemasko – no surprise there – who was a double winner.
(Siemasko’s victory in the 100 backstroke is in the second video player on this page!)
