State Champions Crowned in Girls Swimming & Diving
The 52nd Annual IHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IU Indianapolis
February 13-14, 2026
The stage was set for an extraordinary display of talent and sportsmanship at the 52nd Annual IHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving State Finals. The event, held at the Indiana University Natatorium, IU Indianapolis, on February 13-14, 2026, was a testament to the dedication and hard work of the athletes.
Top 10 Teams
- Carmel: 326.5 points, claiming their 40th consecutive team championship
- Fishers: 227 points
- Carroll (Fort Wayne): 227 points
- Zionsville: 201 points
- Penn: 157 points
- Hamilton Southeastern: 141 points
- Chesterton: 138 points
- Valparaiso: 122 points
- Center Grove: 76 points
- Munster: 73 points
State Champions
- 200 Medley Relay: Carmel (Leah Debosch, 10; Molly Sweeney, 12; Ellie Clarke, 10; Sophia Floyd, 11) - 1:40.90
- 200 Freestyle: Emily Wolf (11), Fishers - 1:45.84
- 200 Individual Medley: Ellie Clarke (10), Carmel - 1:57.73 (200th title by a Carmel individual or relay team)
- 50 Freestyle: Maris Williams (11), Carroll (Fort Wayne) - 22.86
- One Meter Diving: Adelyn Flessner (12), North Central (Indianapolis) - 529.30 (Repeat state champion)
- 100 Butterfly: Molly Sweeney (12), Carmel - 52.78
- 100 Freestyle: Kate Fetters (11), Carroll (Fort Wayne) - 49.52
- 500 Freestyle: Emily Wolf (11), Fishers - 4:43.25 (Repeat state champion)
- 200 Freestyle Relay: Carroll (Fort Wayne) (Kate Fetters, 11; Maris Williams, 11; Jordyn Glassley, 11; Naomi Bowland, 11) - 1:32.63 (First-ever relay title for the school)
- 100 Backstroke: Ellie Clarke (10), Carmel - 53.08 (Repeat state champion)
- 100 Breaststroke: Molly Sweeney (12), Carmel - 59.24 (Third state title in four years)
- 400 Freestyle Relay: Carroll (Fort Wayne) (Jordyn Glassley, 11; Kate Fetters, 11; Naomi Bowland, 11; Maris Williams, 11) - 3:21.30
But here's where it gets controversial... The Mental Attitude Award, a prestigious honor recognizing academic excellence and sportsmanship, was presented to Catie Brenneman of Concord High School. Catie's achievements are truly remarkable, but some might argue that the award should have gone to a swimmer who achieved higher rankings or won more medals.
Catie Brenneman: A Star in the Making
Catie Brenneman, a senior at Concord High School, is not just a swimming sensation but also an academic standout. She ranks fourth in her senior class and is a proud member of the National Honors Society. Her swimming prowess is evident in her USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and NISCA All-American status for the past three years, as well as her four-year All-Conference selection in the Northern Lakes Conference.
This year, Catie qualified for the state meet in the 100 and 200 freestyle events and was a key member of Concord's 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Her journey to the state meet has been nothing short of remarkable, having broken Olympian Lindsay Benko's sectional record in the 200 free as a freshman and now holding school records in the 200 free, 500 free, and 200 IM.
Outside the pool, Catie is a dedicated 10-year 4-H club member and a long-time volunteer. She assists with younger members and the annual Elkhart County Fair, as well as volunteering with the Concord Swim Club and Concord Junior High Swim Team as a timer. Her contributions to her community are truly commendable.
Catie's future is bright, as she will attend the University of Notre Dame, where she plans to major in marketing and compete for the Fighting Irish swimming team. She becomes the second girls swimmer from Concord to earn this prestigious award, following in the footsteps of her sister, Grace Brenneman, who received the honor in 2022.
Each year, the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior who has demonstrated exceptional mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability. This year, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA's proud corporate partner, presented $1,000 to Concord High School's general scholarship fund in Catie's name.
A Thought-Provoking Question
While Catie Brenneman's achievements are undoubtedly impressive, the Mental Attitude Award has sparked some debate. Should the award have gone to a swimmer with higher rankings or more medals? We invite our readers to share their thoughts in the comments section. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the decision to honor Catie Brenneman?
