Across all of its social media accounts, the Franklin swimming program frequently uses the hashtag #HardWorkPays anytime one of its teams or athletes accomplishes something notable.
Perhaps no one in Grizzly Cubs history has embodied those three words more than Carla Gildersleeve.
Four years ago, Franklin girls swimming wasn’t a thought in anybody’s head outside of the immediate area; the Grizzly Cubs didn’t score a single point at the state meet. Led by Gildersleeve, the program has rapidly joined the elite, finishing fourth and second in the state the last two seasons.
"These past four years have meant everything to me," Gildersleeve said. "I have lifelong friends that I’ll hold on to forever, and just getting to be a part of this and then getting us all the way to get second place, it’s unbelievable that we were able to do that."
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Not entirely unbelievable considering all of Gildersleeve’s contributions. She medaled in all eight of her career individual races at state, including runner-up finishes in the 100-yard butterfly each of the last two years.
According to Franklin coach Zach DeWitt, that success was no accident.
"The focus and the commitment level was certainly at a level that most people aren’t willing to go to," he said of Gildersleeve, "and that alone certainly improves your odds of being great."
Gildersleeve says that she wasn’t always so eager to put the nose to the grindstone at practice when she was young — but once she got a little taste of success at the age group level, swimming quickly grew on her.
"The first couple of years I started swimming, I didn’t like it; I would just cry all the time," she admitted. "And then I finally kind of figured out that I really do love this sport."
That love led her to become the first Franklin girls swimmer to qualify for a national club meet, among many other milestones. Gildersleeve graduates holding or sharing the majority of the school records — and even if some or all of those marks are eclipsed in the future, there’s no erasing her impact on the program.
Once again, DeWitt points to Gildersleeve’s diligence when assessing her place in Franklin lore.
"She has probably claimed more firsts for this program — not first place, but the first person to do this and the first person to do that, more so than any other athlete," he said.
After four years of blazing trails for the Grizzly Cubs, Gildersleeve will finally have the opportunity to take a back seat when she heads to Indiana University. The nationally ranked Hoosiers boast plenty of accomplished swimmers already — Olympic gold medalist Lilly King among them — so Gildersleeve won’t be counted on to lead the way forward right away.
"I’m looking forward to learning the ropes instead of having to make them," she said.
Gildersleeve leaves Franklin having established a standard of excellence that she hopes will last long after she’s gone. No matter how long her individual records survive, her legacy with the Grizzly Cubs is secure.
DeWitt is hopeful that how Gildersleeve accomplished everything that she did will be what sticks with those trying to follow her just as much as what she accomplished.
"Some people like to think that there’s some shortcut," he said. "She’s been one of the young ladies that always understood that there were no shortcuts, and sometimes the only way is the hard way."
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The 2019 All-County team for girls swimming and diving:
Kabria Chapman, Franklin sophomore: Placed fifth in the state in the 100-yard breaststroke and also swam on the 200 medley relay team that finished second in the state.
Scarlet Friend, Franklin senior: Swam on two top-three state relays (medley and 200 freestyle), and also placed individually at state meet in the 50 freestyle (11th) and 100 backstroke (15th) … Will swim at Air Force next season.
Carla Gildersleeve, Franklin senior: Was the state runner-up in the butterfly for the second straight year while also placing fifth in the 200 individual medley and swimming on the third-place 200 free relay … will continue her career at Indiana University.
Sarah Hoffman, Franklin junior: Anchored the Grizzly Cubs’ 200 freestyle relay, which finished third in the state … Added 10th-place finishes in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay and was 14th in the 500 freestyle.
Faith Jackson, Greenwood senior: Advanced to state in diving for the second straight season, moving into the semifinals and placing 20th … Won Johnson County championship and placed third at regional.
Kenzie Mills, Center Grove sophomore: Made her first state diving appearance, finishing 18th after advancing to the semifinal round … Nailed her final sectional dive to clinch final regional spot.
Grace Nuhfer, Greenwood sophomore: Made her state debut, placing 18th in the 100 butterfly … Also helped two Woodmen relays qualify for the state meet, including the 18th-place 400 freestyle quartet.
Gracey Payne, Franklin sophomore: Tied for third in the state in the 50 freestyle and finished ninth in the 100 freestyle … Also swam on both of the Grizzly Cubs’ top-three relays (medley and 200 freestyle).
Ali Terrell, Franklin senior: Swam butterfly leg on state runner-up medley relay, which posted a school-record time of 1:43.14 … Vital part of Grizzly Cubs team that finished second in the state … Will swim at Purdue next season.
Lexi Wilhoit, Indian Creek senior: Won the 100-yard backstroke at county, setting a meet record in the process … Advanced to state meet for fourth straight year, placing 21st in the backstroke … Will compete at the collegiate level for Marshall.
Honorable mention
Sierra Bowman, Indian Creek; Addison Daily, Whiteland; Alea Hensley, Franklin; Avery Herring, Whiteland; Lucy Ho, Franklin; Alayna Kenworthy, Greenwood; Rachel Knight, Greenwood; Devin Trammell, Center Grove; Lissy Vanette, Indian Creek
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