The Indiana Girls High School State Championships: A Legacy on the Line
The 2026 IHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving State Championships are set to make waves, with the Carmel High School Girls team aiming for an unprecedented feat: 40 consecutive state titles, 200 event titles, and a remarkable 20 titles for their esteemed coach, Chris Plumb. But can they overcome the rising competition? The pressure is on as the finals kick off at 12 pm CST.
The Road to Glory:
- Prelims: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
- Finals: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
- Venue: IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, IN
- Course: SCY (25 yards)
- Meet Page: https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/girls/swimming-diving/2025-26-tournament?round=state-finals
- Psych Sheet: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/202526%20gsw%20psych%20sheet.pdf
- Finals Heat Sheet: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025-26-GSW-Saturday-Heat-Sheets.pdf
- Results: Search "2026 Girls High School State Championships" or "Indiana" on Meet Mobile
The Carmel Dynasty:
The Carmel Girls are on the brink of history, currently sitting at an impressive 198 event wins. However, this year's challenge is like none they've faced before. They have four individual top seeds, including Ellie Clarke, who dominates in the 200 IM and 100 back, and Molly Sweeney, a force in the 100 fly and 100 breast. And let's not forget their top seed in the 200 medley and 400 free relays.
The Races Unfold:
Girls 200 Medley Relay Final:
The Carmel squad, with a time of 1:40.90, claimed the gold, edging out Valparaiso (1:41.60) and Hamilton Southeastern (1:42.48). This victory marked their 199th title, a testament to their prowess.
Girls 200 Freestyle Final:
Emily Wolf from Fishers High School emerged as the champion, leaving her competitors in her wake with a time of 1:45.84. Catie Brenneman (1:47.95) and Ava Metzger (1:48.37) secured the remaining podium spots.
Girls 200 IM Final:
Ellie Clarke secured the 200th event win for Carmel, narrowly beating Jordyn Glassley by a tenth of a second. Clarke's time of 1:57.73 showcased her talent.
Girls 50 Freestyle Final:
Carroll Fort Wayne dominated with Maris Williams (22.86) and Kate Fetters (22.92) taking the top spots. Mount Vernon's Peyton McDaniel secured 3rd with a personal best.
Girls 1-Meter Diving:
Adelyn Flessner claimed the top spot, followed by Helena Gibson and Deryn McMahon.
Girls 100 Butterfly Final:
Molly Sweeney grabbed her first individual gold of the day, with Lylah Theriac and Jordyn Glassley rounding out the top three.
Girls 100 Freestyle Final:
Kate Fetters (49.52) and Maris Williams (50.00) switched places from the 50 free, with Catie Brenneman (50.01) securing bronze.
Girls 500 Freestyle Final:
Emily Wolf continued her winning streak, with Ava Metzger and Haley Morris completing the top three.
Girls 200 Freestyle Relay Final:
Carroll Fort Wayne's dynamic duo of Maris Williams and Kate Fetters led their team to victory, followed by Zionsville and Fishers.
Girls 100 Backstroke and 100 Breaststroke Finals:
Ellie Clarke and Lilyanna King claimed the top spots in their respective events, solidifying their dominance.
The Legacy Continues?
As the competition unfolds, the question remains: Will Carmel secure that historic 40th title? And what does this mean for the future of high school swimming? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
