The high school boys swimming season is officially underway with the first meets allowed on Nov. 19. Here are five teams and six swimmers to watch this year:
Carmel: Despite coming off three consecutive state titles and an undefeated 2011 season, the Greyhounds are ranked second entering the season. Carmel is senior-led and the onus is on them to produce this year. "This team will go as far as our seniors take and lead us," coach Chris Plumb said.
Center Grove: The Trojans enter the season ranked seventh in the state. They have been a model of consistency, tying Munster with 27 consecutive sectional championships, the most in the state.
Fishers: The Tigers are ranked 12th in the state after placing 19th in the state meet last season. Coach Jay Chambers has high expectations for this year's group. "We are deeper than we have been in the past three years with a good group of experienced seniors," he said. "Our goal is to challenge for a top-10 finish at state."
Hamilton Southeastern: The Royals are ranked ninth in the state after a disappointing 17th-place finish in last year's state finals, and are gunning for their 21st straight sectional title. "This team has a great deal of upside and the training has been outstanding," said coach Andy Pedersen. "It feels like last year's disappointing finish at state has set a tone that has resulted in our guys appearing to be a little feisty."
North Central: The Panthers placed fifth in the state last year and enter the season ranked fourth. North Central will go for its ninth straight sectional title.
Six swimmers to watch
Jonathan Astashinsky, Carmel: The senior finished sixth in the state last season in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle. Astashinsky is ranked third this year in the 200 free and fourth in 100 free.
Chris Cutter, Fishers: The Eastern Michigan recruit finished seventh in the state last season in the 500 free and 15th in the 100 backstroke. Cutter enters the season ranked third in 500 free and sixth in 100 back.
Adam Destrampe, Franklin: Destrampe placed fifth in the state last season in the 500 free as a freshman and 14th in the 200 free. He's ranked second this year in the 500 and sixth in the 200.
Rawley Davis, North Central: The junior took fifth in the state last season in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 100 breaststroke as a sophomore for Center Grove. He moved and will swim this year for the Panthers. Davis is ranked third in breaststroke and fifth in 100 fly.
Ted and Joe Steinkamp, North Central: The senior twins will be the anchors of the Panthers, so it seems fitting to list them together. Ted finished sixth in the 50 free and ninth in the 100 free in last season's state finals. He's ranked fifth this year in the 50 and sixth in the 100. Joe finished ninth in the state in the 200 free and 21st in the 100 butterfly state preliminaries. He's ranked this year fourth in the 200 free and 11th in the 100 fly.
