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Carmel’s Next Big Star: Alex Shackell Ready To Showcase Talent at Indiana State Champs
In the state of Indiana, swimming is a big deal, especially on the high school level. There are powerhouse teams on both the men’s and women’s sides, but one team stands out among the rest: The Carmel girls. Carmel High School excels in a multitude of sports but it has been especially dominant in girls swimming, amassing 35 state titles and 39 sectional crowns in its storied history.
The program has built national-level talents, and one of those skilled youths will be competing this weekend at the IHSAA State Championships. Freshman Alex Shackell is scheduled to make her state-meet debut with a much anticipated splash.
Carmel Swimming
To fully understand why Shackell has been so commanding in the water, we have to look at the program that is currently training her. Carmel girls swimming is the premier team in Indiana and one of the most dominant in the country. Although it feels like Carmel has always been the state’s leader, it has not always been that way. When the IHSAA officially made girls swimming a sport, it took 12 years for Carmel to win its first state title. Since that breakthrough, the Greyhounds have not looked back.
Carmel won its first title in 1987 and has added 34 more since, marking a national record for consecutive state championships. To win that many state titles amid deep competition, you have to have top level talent… and Carmel has that ability. It has produced top-tier swimmers that include Claire Adams, Amy Bilquist, Emma Nordin and Kelly Pash – just to name a few. With its dominance, it is no surprise that Shackell has thrived at Carmel.
A Rising Star
The sport of swimming is an interesting one. For some, natural talent is a gift. For others, greater work and hours of dedication are required to reach goals. Growing up, Shackell always knew that swimming was her calling, as her family helped her get into the sport at age three. The rest is history.
Carmel head coach Chris Plumb has seen an extreme level of talent in Shackell and has known for a while the special type of swimmer she is.
“I watched her 200 butterfly at Sectionals last March,” Plumb said. “I think it was her first LCM 200 fly and she went for it. I thought to myself, this girl is not afraid.”
That long course 200 fly Plumb talks about is just one of many great performances from Shackell, and if one group of performances stands out in comparison to others, it is the performances she produced at Winter Juniors in December 2021. Shackell swept the fly events, beating out tough competition.
“Everything felt good so at that point,” she said. “I was executing my race plans and having fun, which I say I 100% did. At the end of the meet I was really happy with my performances.”
What makes Shackell stand out is her love for her team and the selflessness she shows.
“Carmel swimming is like no other team I’ve been on,” she said. “The atmosphere makes it an easy place to want to be. I would be nowhere near where I am today without Carmel.”
IHSAA State Meet
Although Shackell has flourished on the National Level, she will face some tough competition this weekend at the Indiana State Champs, especially in the 50 Free. Defending champion Lily Christianson from Penn High School comes in as the top seed, while Shackell enters as the sixth seed, behind four other swimmers seeded in the 23-low range. At first glance, it may seem like she will have an uphill battle to be at the top of the high school stage in the 50 free, but further examination shows that Shackell has a good chance at being the state champion in this event.
Although her entry time from Sectionals last weekend was 23.19, which is extremely fast and done unsuited, she has been much faster this season, swimming a time of 22.34 at Winter Juniors. What is even more impressive about that time of 22.34, is the fact that it
would have won the state title in the 50 free at the past six state meets.
In Shackell’s second event, the 100 butterfly, she is the top seed with a time of 53.39. That mark would have earned her second last year, and she is the overwhelming favorite to win the state title for a variety of reasons. The biggest reason is that Shackell recorded her seed time in a practice suit and is the top seed by over a second in a field.
As her first state meet beckons, Shackell is excited for the experience ahead.
“I am super excited for (states), not to mention getting to wear a “C” on my cap makes it 10 times cooler,” she said.
With the talent that Shackell has, it would be easy to be all about herself, but the freshman is dedicated to her teammates.
“At the meet, I plan to do my part for the team and see lots of fast swimming,” she said.
If everything goes according to plan this weekend, Shackell could be a four-time state champion (two relays; two individual events). Accomplishing the feat would add her to the record book of all-time great Indiana swimmers, and she’s only a freshman.
The Future
No matter the result of the IHSAA state meet, Alex Shackell is on her way to making history. She has made her goals clear, headlined by Olympic berths in 2024 and 2028. If she keeps progressing, her goal could become a reality.
“She has a bright future and not just because she is talented and works hard,” Plumb said. “She is willing to do the little things to succeed. She is a sponge and wants to be great.”
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What a great article Cooper.
Nice article Cooper. I always learn things from you. With State this weekend, Good Luck to Alex and All the swimmers and divers!
Total puff piece. I’m just wondering why? I love the Carmel girls (always have) but I have to question the significance of your subject (Alex) when you state “Shackell enters as the sixth seed, behind four other swimmers seeded in the 23-low range…..” Even though her times are great, she doesn’t have any state experience ahead of her. Why focus an entire article on her?
…..I’m guessing she’s a relative?
I’m sorry are u mad cause she has the 3rd fastest 100 fly in the nation ever. Sorry that she is a part of this team and helped us win #36. I don’t see anyone else with a problem maybe like think it and don’t type it next time.
not pushing ?️
YA ALEX U DID SO GOOD!!!
great job alex!!! so happy for you #ratio
YAAAAA ALEXXXX!!!! IM SO PROUD OF YOU! You have worked hard every single day in practice and I love watching you race! You deserve every moment!! LOVE YOUUUU
u just mad kid
ratio bozo
Great job Alex Shackell!!
Keep up the great writing, Cooper!