INDIANAPOLIS — Only one event remained in Saturday’s state finals, and Chesterton’s team result was still very much up in the air.
The Trojans needed their fifth-seeded 400-yard freestyle relay team to finish at least fifth in order to capture third place. Not only did the Trojans hold their seed, but they completed the relay in 3:28.17, shaving a second off their preliminary time and establishing a new school record.
The relay team of Vanessa Krause, Amy Socha, Lauryn Kallay and Kelly Craig latched down the best team rank in program history. After fourth-place finishes in years past, Chesterton narrowly cracked the top three at 164, one point ahead of a fourth-place tie between Crown Point and Zionsville.
“(Crown Point) is such a good rival and such good friends of ours that it was fun to battle them out,” Chesterton coach Kevin Kinel said. “We’re happy with third place; that’s a big step. We knew we had a shot at second, so that was the ultimate goal, but we’re awfully happy right now, and we’ve got everybody coming back.”
The Trojans received a boost from Andrea Hanas, who placed 10th in the 100 free (51.89) after coming into Saturday seeded 15th. Krause placed fourth in the 50 free at 23.30 and third in the 100 butterfly with a career-best 53.49.
“We made history as a team, so that was really cool,” Krause said. “It’s sad to think that I only have one year left, but I’m happy to be spending it with all the girls, since we’re not graduating anyone.”
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Carmel won its 29th straight state championship with 445 team points, while Fisher took second at 179.
Crown Point had only four swimmers Saturday, the fewest of any team that finished in the top 10. The Bulldogs captured four runner-up finishes, including individuals Hannah Kukurugya (500 freestyle) and Aly Tetzloff (100 butterfly). Crown Point’s 200 medley relay (1:41.71) and 200 free relay (1:34.27) were also state runners-up.
In addition to the runner-up performance in her signature event, Tetzloff finished fourth in the 200 individual medley (2:00.82) on the final day of her prep career.
“She came in with a smile on her face as a freshman, and she’s going to leave with a smile on her face as a senior,” Crown Point coach Bryon Angerman said. “It’s always hard to replace a girl who’s had state championships.”
Munster finished 11th as a team. Nikki Smith had top-10 performances in the 200 IM (sixth) and 100 fly (seventh).
Lake Central sophomore Kallie Higgins placed 14th in diving with a score of 386.80. Higgins entered the meet ranked sixth in the state and indicated she had the goal of finishing in the top five.
“We trained her for an easy spot in the top eight, and that’s what she’s capable of reaching,” Lake Central diving coach Tommy Slivka said. “It says a lot about what she’s capable of for her to have a meet like this one and still make the finals. She can do a lot more, and she knows it.”
Brandon Vickrey is a freelance writer.