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INDIANAPOLIS - Oak Hill senior Grant Cates didn’t know exactly what he would score heading into the final diving competition of his high school career.

But he did have his eye on the IHSAA’s longest held record at the State Swimming and Diving Finals.

And Cates not only reached that goal on Saturday at the Indiana University Natatorium, but he obliterated it, scoring a state record 655.95 to win the IHSAA title, and break the record of 623.90 that Hamilton Southeastern’s Phillip Jones set in 2001.

“Today really couldn’t have gone better,” Cates said. “There were a few dives I could have hit better, but as a list - that is as good as I could do.”

Cates said he had never broken 600 as a score until right before the sectional. He then won the Hamilton Southeastern Sectional with a 641.70 and the Fishers Diving Regional with a 614.15 heading into state.

“It was kind of crazy, I was getting in the 550s all throughout the season, and then the last meet before sectionals I broke 600 and never went under again,” Cates said. “I was just confident with every single one of my dives. Everything came together at the right time.”

Cates scored 273.45 in the prelims to jump out to a 30-point lead, then had 439.65 through the semifinals - seeing his lead grow to more than 65 points.

But he saved his best dives for last.

Cates scored a 63.8 on his ninth dive, and then a 75.0 in round 10. His final dive - an inward 2 ½ somersault tuck, scored a 77.50 to break the record.

“I kind of surprised myself with that, but normally I do better under pressure,” Cates said. “I knew I didn’t need a great last dive to get the record, but I still hit it so I was very happy. A lot of preparation went into it.”

It was the perfect ending for his career, which saw him rise from fifth as a freshman, to third the last two years and to thetop the podium this year.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Cates said after he stepped off the podium. “It’s just starting to sink in that this is what I really wanted, and I got it. I really wanted it. I had two thirds in a row, and I really wanted this.”

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Carmel wins 11th straight title, Allen wins distance double

The team title streak continued for the Carmel Greyhounds, who claimed their 11th-straight title on Saturday afternoon with 412.5 points - the second most in state history.

Their margin of 196.5 points over second-place Fishers was the fourth most in history.

“Our kids did an awesome job,” Carmel head coach Chris Plumb said. “The races that were tight we pulled out, and all three relays really brought it today. This was great racing and I am really proud of the team.”

The Greyhounds swept the three relays for the second-straight year.

The medley relay team of Anderson Kopp, Yi Zheng, Andrew Shackell and Michael Gorey finished in 1:29.39, the only team to break 1:31.

The 200-free relay team of Shackell, Carter Hadley, Gorey and Zheng touched in 1:21.64, and the 400-free relay team of Shackell, Trent Allen, Hadley and Kopp cruised to the win in 2:59.53.

“We knew the 400-free relay was going to be a battle, and those guys brought it,” Plumb said. “We were seeded third coming into the final, so we knew we would have to be on our ‘A’ game to finish the meet. We didn’t just cash it in, we finished strong and those guys stepped up.”

The Greyhounds, who had 21 swims in the finals and two in the consolations, picked up three individual titles.

Shackell won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 47.42, despite losing his goggles during the race.

Allen was also a double champ, taking the distance freestyle events.

It was a big difference from a year ago, when Allen swam the 50- and 100-freestyles in the postseason.

“I have always enjoyed the distance (races), but last year that is what the team needed,” Allen said. “I am willing to do what coach needs me to do, but I love the 200 and 500. I love distance practice, even if everyone else hates it.”

Allen won the 200-free in 1:37.07, holding off Fishers Jonathan Hines by a half second.

In the 500 those two, along with Carmel’s Kopp, had a three-way battle for the title.

Allen won with a 4:20.88, thanks to a 24.84 final 50, with Kopp placing second in 4:21.19 and Hines being third in 4:22.54.

“That race was a lot of fun,” Allen said. “I train with Anderson all year, and we push each other in practice. I know Johnny too, and he’s really nice and competitive. We like to race a lot, and I’m glad it was a good race. I wanted us all to go fast, but I wanted to win.”

Allen said it is that competitive spirit that keeps pushing the Greyhounds to new heights.

“It’s special (to be a Greyhound),” Allen said. “We come in here early mornings, and everyone is there to compete, you don’t see anyone not competing. If they aren’t then other people will tell them they need to step it up. It’s just the teamwork we have built.”

Bloomington schools get atop the podium

Both Bloomington North and Bloomington South had swimmers on top of the podium on Saturday afternoon, ending some championship droughts.

South senior David Kovacs was a two-event champion, claiming the title in the 200-IM in 1:46.64 and the 100-yard backstroke in 47.63. He was the first Panther champion since Matthew Jerden in 2017.

Bloomington North’s James Stewart took the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 20.08, besting Brebeuf’s Jake Tarara by .01 seconds. Stewart was the first Cougar winner since Max Irwin in 2013.

Tarara later won the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 43.93, besting Bloomington South’s Peter Kovacs.

Lee wins caps career with title, Mental Attitude Award

Valparaiso senior Jonah Lee ended his prep career on a high.

The senior won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 54.13.

“It feels great,” Lee said. “It wasn’t exactly the time I wanted, but I’m happy to win and that was the big goal. I just wanted to race my own race, and not worry about anyone else.”

After the meet, Lee was named the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award winner.

“I was super surprised with that, I wasn’t expecting it,” Lee said. “It’s nice to get an award like that because there isn’t a lot of recognition for the work outside of swimming. So being able to show that is great.”

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Valparaiso's Jonah Lee named Keller Mental Attitude recipient

Jonah Lee of Valparaiso High School was named the recipient of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award following the meet by the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Lee competed in two events on Saturday, finishing as State Runner-Up in the 200 Medley Relay and State Champion in the 100 Breaststroke. He has been named a High School All-American in both events and holds the record in the 100 Breaststroke for the Duneland Athletic Conference. He also played soccer for Valparaiso.

In the classroom, Jonah ranks in the top 10% of his class and has been named both Academic All-State and an Academic All-American during his time as a Viking. He is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council and National Honor Society. Jonah also volunteers with Rebuilding Together Duneland, a non-profit that provides home repairs and renovations to families in need.

Jonah is the son of Jung and Arene Lee of Valparaiso. He will be attending Purdue in the fall, studying Biomedical Engineering and swimming for the Boilermakers.

Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s proud corporate partner, presented $1,000 to Valparaiso High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Jonah Lee.

The award, renamed in 1974, honors Herman F. Keller, former IHSAA assistant commissioner who served the Association from 1961-73.

The 88th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
February 28-March 1, 2025

State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Carmel (Anderson Kopp 12, Yi Zheng 10, Andrew Shackell 12, Michael Gorey 12) 1:29.39 
200 Freestyle: William Allen (10) Carmel, 1:37.07
200 Individual Medley: David Kovacs (12) Bloomington South, 1:46.64
50 Freestyle: James Stewart (12) Bloomington North, :20.08
One Meter Diving: Grant Cates (12) Oak Hill, 655.95 New State Record
100 Butterfly: Andrew Shackell (12) Carmel, :47.42
100 Freestyle: Jake Tarara (12)Brebeuf Jesuit, :43.93
500 Freestyle: William Allen (10) Carmel, 4:20.88
200 Freestyle Relay: Carmel (Andrew Shackell 12, Carter Hadley 11, Michael Gorey 12, Yi Zheng 10) 1:21.64
100 Backstroke: David Kovacs (12) Bloomington South, :47.63
100 Breaststroke: Jonah Lee (12) Valparaiso, :54.13
400 Freestyle Relay: Carmel (Andrew Shackell 12, William Allen 10, Carter Hadley 11, Anderson Kopp 12) 2:59.53 

State Records During Saturday's Championship Finals (1)
One Meter Diving: Grant Cates (12) Oak Hill, 655.95 (previous 623.90) Breaks a 26-year old State Record