News

Chesterton won the first four events of the day and six overall to win its second consecutive state championship during the IHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving State Finals at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.

The Trojans, coached by Kevin Kinel, totaled 222 points on the afternoon. A three-way tie for runner-up honors occurred as Carmel, Munster and North Central of Indianapolis tied with 183 points each. Hamilton Southeastern was fifth with 129 points.

Chesterton junior Kyle Whitaker won his third consecutive state titles in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly setting a national high school record in the former. He had set the national IM record during Friday’s prelims in 1:46.30 but bettered that time by more than a second with a 1:45.25 in the final. He won the butterfly in 48.00, just shy of his state record time of 47.85 also set Friday night. Whitaker also led off the school’s state record-setting 200 medley relay team in the opening event of the day. He combined with Matthew Rosiecki, Bill Bass and Tyler Fozkos to lower the standard to 1:32.01. Chesterton had held the previous mark of 1:32.05 set last year.

Bass also won a pair of individual state titles defending his 500 free championship with a 4:30.01 edging West Lafayette’s Raymond Mahon (4:30.49) at the wall and also took the 200 freestyle in 1:38.52. Fozkos won the 50 free sprint in 20.73.

Hamilton Southeastern junior Nathan Kinney also carried home a pair of state championships. Kinney won the 100 freestyle in 45.12 and the 110 backstroke in 49.81 and also anchored the Royals winning 200 freestyle relay in 1:25.27.

Lake Central’s Chris Johnson defended the 100 breaststroke championship he won a year ago. The senior clocked in at 55.53, a full second better than last year’s winning time of 56.56.

Indian Creek’s Casey Johnson won the one meter diving competition scoring 525.05 points during his 11 dives and became the first individual from his school to win a state championship at this event.

North Central won the 400 free relay for the third time in five years with a winning time of 3:05.00.

The 72nd Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
February 27-28, 2009

Top 10 Teams
1. Chesterton: 222
T2. Carmel: 183
T2. Munster: 183
T2. North Central (Indianapolis): 183
5. Hamilton Southeastern: 129
6. Northridge: 105
7. Homestead: 101
8. Castle: 86
9. Fishers: 77
10. Concord: 63

State Champions
200 Medley Relay – Chesterton (Kyle Whitaker 11, Matthew Rosiecki 11, Bill Bass 12, Tyler Fozkos 10), 1:32.01. State Meet Record
200 Freestyle – Bill Bass 12, Chesterton, 1:38.52.
200 Individual Medley – Kyle Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 1:45.25. National, State Meet Record
50 Freestyle – Tyler Fozkos, 10, Chesterton, 20.73.
One Meter Diving – Casey Johnson, 12, Indian Creek, 525.05.
100 Butterfly – Kyle Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 48.00.
100 Freestyle – Nathan Kinney, 11, Hamilton Southeastern, 45.12.
500 Freestyle – Bill Bass, 12, Chesterton, 4:30.01.
200 Freestyle Relay – Hamilton Southeastern (Zach Snider 11, Justin Rossillo 10, Jacob Robinson 10, Nathan Kinney 11), 1:25.27.
100 Backstroke – Nathan Kinney, 11, Hamilton Southeastern, 49.81.
100 Breaststroke – Chris Johnson, 12, Lake Central, 55.53.
400 Freestyle Relay – North Central (Indianapolis) (Ross Van Allen 12, Alec LaMothe 12, August Van Allen 10, Brandon Siemasko 12) 3:05.00.

TAYLOR SANDERS OF BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE WINS MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD
Following the meet, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee selected Taylor Sanders of Bedford North Lawrence High School as this year’s winner of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award in boys swimming and diving.

The award is presented annually to a senior, nominated by his principal and coach, who demonstrates excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. It is named in honor of the former IHSAA Assistant Commissioner who served the Association from 1961-73.

Sanders is a three-time state qualifier in the 200 IM (placed 10th) and twice made it in the 100 breaststroke (placed eighth) and 200 free relay.

Sanders has served in several leadership capacities such as class officer, National Honor Society, the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee and Habitat for Humanity.

Academically, he ranks second in his senior class, is a National Merit Finalist, and plans to study business at either Columbia University in New York or Notre Dame.

He is the son of Paul and Carol Sanders of Bedford and is the second boys swimmer from his school to win the mental attitude award. Dan Schultz was honored in 1995.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, IHSAA corporate partner, presented Bedford North Lawrence High School with a $1,000 scholarship in the name of Sanders.