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The Chesterton Trojans won four individual events, two relays and left with a slew of records in winning the IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals at the Natatorium in Indianapolis.

The Trojans accumulated 238.5 points to take the top spot. It was the school’s third state championship in six years under head coach Kevin Kinel.

North Central of Indianapolis, which was trying to win its first team title since 2006, finished as the runner-up with 203.5 points. Three-time defending state champ Carmel was third with 173.

Chesterton junior Aaron Whitaker set two individual records in the 100 butterfly (47.33) and 100 backstroke (47.29), two events he also set records in during Friday’s preliminary heats, and was part of the Trojans’ record-setting 400 freestyle relay (3:01.05) on Friday as well.

His Friday night record swim (47.84) was .01-hundredths faster than his older brother Kyle who set the previous mark in 2009. Whitaker then teamed with classmates Blake Pieroni, twin brother Ethan Whitaker and Patrick Curley in the 400 free relay on Friday. The same group won the championship on Saturday in 3:04.77.

Pieroni was also a double winner setting a state record in the 100 freestyle in 44.28 and the 200 individual medley in 1:48.86. The previous 100 record of 44.36 was set in 2001 by Ryan Wochomurka of Columbus North.

Andy Hurst, Jack Wallar, Aaron Whitaker and Pieroni also won the day’s opening race, the 200 medley relay, in 1:32.45.

Trevor Carroll of South Bend St. Joseph repeated as the 200 freestyle state champion with a 1:37.10 and Joshua Arndt of LaPorte won his second straight one meter diving title with 484.0 points.

Max Irwin of Bloomington North won the 500 freestyle in 4:23.60. His attempt at a repeat in the 200  fly came up short to as he settled for second place to Whitaker in the event.

Austin Flager won the 50 freestyle in 20.37 and finished second to Whitaker in the 100 back in 49.17, an event he won in 2012.

Cody Taylor of Columbus North took the 100 breaststroke in 55.25 and the North Central 200 free relay team of Samuel Lorentz, Theodore Steinkamp, Joseph Krahulik and Joseph Steinkamp won in 1:24.26.

The 76th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
February 22-23, 2013

Top 10 Teams
1.    Chesterton: 238.5
2.    North Central (Indianapolis): 203.5
3.    Carmel: 173
4.    Penn: 169
5.    Hamilton Southeastern: 144
6.    Columbus North: 131.5
7.    Jeffersonville: 124
8.    Bloomington North: 116
9.    Avon: 97
10.  South Bend St. Joseph: 94

State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Chesterton (Andy Hurst 11, Jack Wallar 11, Aaron Whitaker 11, Blake Pieroni 11), 1:32.45.
200 Freestyle: Trevor Carroll, 12, South Bend St. Joseph, 1:37.10.
200 Individual Medley: Blake Pieroni, 11, Chesterton, 1:48.86.
50 Freestyle: Austin Flager, 12, Northridge, 20.37.
One Meter Diving: Joshua Arndt, 12, LaPorte, 484.0 points.
100 Butterfly: Aaron Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 47.33. State Meet Record
100 Freestyle: Blake Pieroni, 11, Chesterton, 44.28. State Meet Record
500 Freestyle: Max Irwin, 12, Bloomington North, 4:23.60.
200 Freestyle Relay: North Central (Indianapolis) (Samuel Lorentz 12, Theodore Steinkamp 12, Joseph Krahulik 11,  Joseph Steinkamp 12), 1:24.26.
100 Backstroke: Aaron Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 47.29. State Meet Record
100 Breaststroke: Cody Taylor, 11, Columbus North, 55.25.
400 Freestyle Relay: Chesterton (Blake Pieroni 11, Ethan Whitaker 11, Patrick Curley 11, Aaron Whitaker 11), 3:04.77.

Records Set During Prelims on Friday
100 Butterfly: Aaron Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 47.84.
100 Backstroke: Aaron Whitaker, 11, Chesterton, 47.37.
400 Freestyle Relay: Chesterton (Blake Pieroni 11, Ethan Whitaker 11, Patrick Curley 11, Aaron Whitaker 11), 3:01.05.

Bloomington North’s Max Irwin Wins Mental Attitude Award
Max Irwin of Bloomington North was recognized following the state championship meet by the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s winner of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award.

Irwin ranks eighth in his senior class of 346 students with a 4.435 GPA through demanding honors and AP level courses.

He has participated in his school’s Habitat for Humanity Chapter, which has built 13 houses in 13 years, volunteered at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank and serves as a senior patrol leader as an Eagle Scout.

Named his team’s co-captain, Irwin finished the day as the 500 freestyle state champion and finished second in the 100 butterfly, an event he won a year ago.

He is the son of Phil and Liz Irwin of Bloomington and will head to the University of Texas next fall where he will study math and physics.

The award is presented annually to a senior, nominated by her principal and coach, who demonstrates excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award, renamed in 1974, honors the former IHSAA assistant commissioner who served the Association from 1961 to 1973.

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