Carmel High School girls swim coach Chris Plumb was asked to come up with a list of area teams to watch this year. He came up with just one: Carmel.
True, the Greyhounds are the team to watch every year. Carmel owns the national record for most consecutive state championships by a female team in U.S. high school history and the longest active streak of state championships by any team after winning their 26th consecutive title last year. The Greyhounds, who enter the season ranked No. 1, will go for title No. 27 when they open the season Nov. 27 at home against Center Grove.
"We have a strong, deep team," Plumb said. "The girls are strong in all the swimming events and there are not any weak events. The team trained and performed well over the summer and we are looking forward to a fantastic season."
Here's a look at four other teams and five swimmers to watch this year:
Zionsville: The Eagles enter the season ranked third in the state after last season's runner-up finish to Carmel. "I think we potentially have a couple of state champions on our team," said Zionsville coach Scott Kubly.
Center Grove: The Trojans finished fourth in the state last season and won the Johnson County championship. They enter the season ranked No. 7.
North Central: The Panthers enter the season ranked No. 9. North Central has won five consecutive sectional championships.
Noblesville: The Millers placed 12th at last season's state finals and enter this season with the same ranking.
Five swimmers to watch
Hanna House, Carmel: The junior was a big part of the Carmel team last season, finishing as the state runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 100 backstroke. She enters this year ranked first in the state in both events.
Erin Moe, Westfield: A distance specialist, Moe enters the season ranked No. 1 in the 500 freestyle after placing second in the state last year as a junior.
Taite Kitchel, Zionsville: Kitchel finished seventh in the state in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly last year as a freshman. She enters this season ranked third in the fly and fourth in the 200 IM.
Meme Sharp, Noblesville: The junior finished as the state runner-up last season in the 1-meter diving finals. She enters the season ranked as the state's top diver.
Ariana Bullard, Carmel: The senior West Point recruit finished fifth in the 100 fly, sixth in the 100 free and was on Carmel's winning 200 medley relay team last season. She enters this year ranked fourth in both the 50 free and 100 fly.
