Carmel’s Alex Shackell Churning Out Bevy Of Fast Times In High School Competition
A month ago, while racing at the Winter Junior Nationals-East, Alex Shackell put together a reminder of why she is one of the top teenagers in the country. Over the course of the four-day competition, Shackell churned out a bevy of swift times, including victories in the 50-yard freestyle (21.73), 100 freestyle (47.44), 100 butterfly (51.00; 50.97 in prelims) and 200 individual medley (1:54.54).
A sophomore at Carmel High School, Shackell will head to the Indiana University Natatorium in February with hefty expectations. With the Greyhounds seeking a 37th straight Indiana state title, Shackell can choose from several individual-event options. More, she will play a significant role in relay action, as Carmel chases national-record times.
Ahead of the postseason, it is worth noting what Shackell has already achieved during the high school campaign. Simply, the times she has posted in dual-meet competition – and in the midst of training – are nothing short of stunning. In freestyle action, Shackell has gone 22.93 in the 50-yard distance, along with 50.00 in the 100 and 1:45.92. To complement her freestyle exploits, Shackell has clocked 52.96 in the 100 butterfly and 54.43 in the 100 backstroke.
Based on what Shackell accomplished at Junior Nationals, her best chance at a national record figures to be in the 50 freestyle. Shackell’s best of 21.73 is not far off the public-school standard of 21.64, set in 2015 by Abbey Weitzeil. The overall high school record belongs to Gretchen Walsh, who went 21.59 in 2020.