Carmel HS Boys Win 2015 Indiana HS State Championships; Finnerty Narrowly Misses 100 Breaststroke National Record

Over the weekend, the IHSAA hosted the Indiana Boy’s High School State Championship at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis. Just two weeks after the Carmel Girls won their 29th consecutive state championship, the Carmel boys also earned a state title with 253.5 points. Depth helped carry the Greyhounds to the state title. Their only event victory of the meet came in the 200 medley relay. The team of Gabriel Whitaker, Charles Vaughan, Nathaniel Bledsoe, and Troy Li combined for a final time of 1:32.30.

Although we didn’t see any national records like we did at the girls’ meet, Bloomington South High School’s Ian Finnerty got dangerously close to breaking Connor Hoppe’s national public school record in the 100 breaststroke of 53.06. In prelims, Finnerty claimed the top seed and broke the state record in the event with his time of 53.23. He came back on Saturday for a second attempt at the national record during finals. He lowered his state record with his time of 53.19, but was still just off Hoppe’s national mark.

Finnerty also won the 200 IM with a time of 1:45.71, claiming victories in both of his individual events. He lead his team to a 9th place finish with 109 points.

Kyle DeCoursey lead Zionsville High School to a second place finish with 176 points. He swept both of his individual events, winning the 50 and 100 freestyles. He also was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay at the end of the meet. During prelims, he broke the state record in the 50 freestyle with his time of 20.08.

Top 10 Teams
1. Carmel 253.5
2. Zionsville 176
3. Avon 167
4. Brownsburg 129
5. Carroll (Fort Wayne) 126.5
6. Penn 122
7. Hamilton Southeastern 121
8. Munster 112
9. Bloomington South 108
10. North Central (Indianapolis) 85

State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Carmel (Gabriel Whitaker 12, Charles Vaughan 10, Nathaniel Bledsoe 12, Troy Li 11) 1:32.30.
200 Freestyle: Parks Jones, 12, Avon, 1:37.81.
200 Individual Medley: Ian Finnerty, 12, Bloomington South, 1:45.71.
50 Freestyle: Kyle DeCoursey, 12, Zionsville, 20.30.
One Meter Diving: Kevin Frebel, 11, Homestead 568.65 points.
100 Butterfly: Gabriel Swardson, 11, Snider (Fort Wayne), 49.14.
100 Freestyle: Kyle DeCoursey, 12, Zionsville, 44.70.
500 Freestyle: Michael Brinegar, 9, Columbus North, 4:24.92.
200 Freestyle Relay: Brownsburg (Jack Franzman 9, Cameron Howard 12, Kyle Baney 12, Vince Partlow 11)1:24.20.
100 Backstroke: Wilson Beckman, 12, Munster 49.21.
100 Breaststroke: Ian Finnerty, 12, Bloomington South, 53.19. State Record
400 Freestyle Relay: Zionsville (Andrew Schuler 9, Cameron Gelwicks 12, Tyler Harmon 10, Kyle DeCoursey 12) 3:03.55.

 Click here for full results from the 2015 Indiana High School Boy’s State Championships. 

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Hoosier mama
9 years ago

BKP, Can you Please elaborate on the fluid dynamics you are referring To in regard to the size advantage in swimming?

JenB
9 years ago

HoosierMama – it is the size of the heart that counts! Also, I don’t know for sure, but it’s highly likely (1976 Olympic Gold Medalist and fellow Ft. Wayne area native) Matt Vogel may have coached Swardson as an age grouper and helped develop that superb technique and beautiful butterfly! He sure is fun to watch!

CoachGB
9 years ago

Water is a great equalizer!.

BKP
Reply to  CoachGB
9 years ago

I suppose, in some aspects…but not according to fluid dynamics! (for the tall vs. short swimmer)

Hoosiermama
9 years ago

Fast meet and talented group of young men. Congrats to all of them! My favorite race was 100 fly…It was inspiring watch Gabe Swardson…I’ve watched this young man for years and he amazes me. I’m guessing him to be around 5’6! So no, I’m not overly impressed with sub 20 second 50 free off a relay start from a 6’6 giant senior. But I am impressed with a 5’6 young man who Finds a way to overcome his size disadvantage with superb technique. I can say this because I have a son who is somewhat of a giant and although he works just as hard if not harder than most, he also has an advantage over those shorter than him.… Read more »

Park Sun Woo
Reply to  Hoosiermama
8 years ago

Kyle Decoursey is utterly amazing @hoosiermama

swimfish87
9 years ago

It’s a shame that there’s no mention of 19.40 anchor freestyle split on the medley relay form Kyle DeCoursey. Remember that he only started swimming when he was a freshman in high school. Congratulations to him his teammates and coach Eric Myers.

Natalie Gibble
9 years ago

Umm.. Gabe Swardson (100 fly winner) attends Ft. Wayne Snider, not Carroll

9 years ago

SMASH

About Tony Carroll

Tony Carroll

The writer formerly known as "Troy Gennaro", better known as Tony Carroll, has been working with SwimSwam since April of 2013. Tony grew up in northern Indiana and started swimming in 2003 when his dad forced him to join the local swim team. Reluctantly, he joined on the condition that …

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