By: Daniyal Habib <[email protected]>

The women’s swim team will look to make it to the State finals once again tonight, as they will compete in the State preliminaries at the IUPUI Natatorium tonight at 6 p.m. Should Carmel advance to the State championship, they will be back downtown tomorrow at 1 p.m. to try and win the crown for the 22nd consecutive year.

The team won the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference Championship on Jan. 5, which was a big confidence boost. The team won it for the 12th consecutive year. Jessie Hammes, varsity swimmer and junior, said, “There was definitely some great competition at the meet, and it really reinforced our confidence to know that we can perform under pressure.”

As amazing as the 21 consecutive team State titles is, it may be even more impressive considering that in the past three years, only five Carmel swimmers have won individual state championships. That hasn’t held back the team, Hammes said.

“The special thing about Carmel is our depth.  We may not actually win an event, but we are able to place multiple people in the Top 8 or Top 16.  Added together, these finishes are worth much more than a single win,” Hammes said.

According to Hammes, a team title is more exciting than an individual one. “As much as I am shooting for an individual win, knowing that we have the best team in the state is very rewarding,” Hammes said.

Even when talking about individual titles, the theme of teamwork is still evident in Carmel swimmers. “Individual titles in relays are probably the most special because it’s not just one person on the podium. You get to share your success with three other people who worked just as hard as you did to get there,” Hammes said.

The State preliminaries are tonight. The Top 16 finishers in each event will return the next day. The Top eight individuals will compete for a state title, and finishers nine through 16 will be in the consolation events.

Just as the intensity in the post-season is a level higher, the practices and methods of preparation change a bit also.Head Coach Chris Plumb said that practices are different now.” Practices are slightly different, as we are trying to give the girls some more rest and allow more time recover from a practice,” Plumb said.

The team finished another undefeated regular season in dominating fashion. The closest margin of victory this year for the Hounds was 23 points, against number two ranked HSE, back on Jan. 3 at HSE.

The team’s success has certainly made them a target for each opponent that faces the Hounds. Plumb said that he expects the experience at State to be much different than a regular season. “The State meet is different in that the atmosphere is like no other meet we attend. The stands are packed with everyone rooting for their team.  It is just a unique and fantastic event to be a part of,” Plumb said.

“It’s definitely motivating to know that everyone else is after us,” Hammes said. “We know that we have to out-train them if we want to come out on top.”

In the end, Plumb said he realizes that sports are about enjoyment. “I will tell them to have fun, that they are ready and that we have met every challenged that has been thrown at them, seize the moment, and enjoy the experience,” he said. “I am extremely proud of the tradition and excited to just be a part and piece of the tradition of excellence that has been established here.”