INDIANAPOLIS
A swim season that had been clouded by uncertainty when it began in November reached its conclusion at the IU Natatorium on Saturday afternoon.
Ethan Martin couldn’t have scripted a much better ending.
The Center Grove senior capped his high school career by winning a state championship in the 100-yard freestyle, becoming the school’s first individual boys champion since Chris Oleksiak won the 500 freestyle in 2005.
"He finally put one together," Center Grove coach Jim Todd said. "Completely. A great, great swim."
"Overall, it was just a great Saturday night," added Martin, who was also fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and anchored two fifth-place relays for the Trojans, who placed eighth in the overall team standings.
Franklin also enjoyed a successful meet, placing fourth overall. The Grizzly Cubs were led by two state runner-up finishes from Cade Oliver and one from Mac Ratzlaff, as well as two third-place relays.
Carmel won the team championship for the seventh consecutive year.
Martin, who posted a winning time of 44.02 seconds in the 100 free, was just happy to see his final season at Center Grove reach a traditional conclusion after the most untraditional year of our lives.
"It was a just a successful weekend for everybody," Martin said. "Good times came out of everybody, and up on the podium I was just glad that we were all still able to have this state meet, and I was glad to have all my friends here with me, and see everybody doing good and swimming fast times."
With Martin’s the fastest of them all.
More state swimming coverage, B1
