Which State Had the Best High School Swimming During the 2022-2023 Season?
There are various weighs to measure power in the sport, whether it be which country is strongest or which conference boasts the best swimming. High school swimming begs the question: Which state is tops? Here is one analysis (there are multiple ways to evaluate) of which states stand out.
Every year, a fresh crop of talented high school swimmers emerge on the country’s swimming scene. Although talent can be found around the United States, some states stand out as producing elite talent year after year.
Although it can be hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison among the states, one simple way to measure the relative strength of each state is to look at the times needed to qualify for the state championship finals. For example, in the boys 50-yard freestyle at the 2023 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championships, it took a 20.81 to qualify for the B-final, faster than any other state by far. The next fastest state for men’s 50 freestylers was Texas, where it took a 21.13 to qualify for the B-final at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 6A State Championships. In Ohio, it took a 21.46 to land in 16th place at the men’s OHSAA Division I Championships, while in Indiana, it took a 21.45 for 16th place. On the opposite end of the spectrum, when you analyze the 500-yard freestyle results across different meets, the CIF State championships remain the hardest meet to final in for both boys and girls, with the time required for 16th being 4:31.24 for boys and 4:58.11 for girls.
In the women’s 50 freestyle at the 2023 CIF Championships, it took a 23.72 to qualify for the B-final, faster than any other state once again. The next-fastest state for women’s 50 freestylers was once again Texas, where it took a 23.90 to qualify for the women’s B-final at the UIL 6A State Championships. In Ohio, it took a 24.37 to land at 16th place at the women’s OHSAA Division I Championship, while in Indiana, it took a 24.27 for 16th place.
In the 2021-2022 NISCA All-American lists, California had the largest total number of All-Americans, with Texas close behind. It appears that this year, the lists should have similar results (and a followup piece will be released when NISCA announces its All-Americans). For example, in the top-20 for each individual boys event, California swimmers consistently occupy multiple spots. Similarly for girls, California is clearly the deepest state, highlighted by the fact that a quarter of the top 20 girls’ 200 medley relay times this past season come from California schools.
Another way to measure which states produce the top high school talent is to look at the states that produced the most “top times” in specific events in 2022-2023. Below is a chart summarizing the statistics. Measured this way, we see that Indiana led the way with six total top national high school times, with California and Florida each producing three top times. Wisconsin had two nation-leading times, and Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas each had one swimmer with a top high school time this season.
Wisconsin had some incredible depth, specifically on the girls’ side. For example, there are three top-20 performers in most individual events for the girls who are from Wisconsin. Considering the smaller population of the state, that is an impressive statistic.
Just like every state is not created equal, not every state high school “championship” is either. Differences in how each state conducts its high school swimming championship make it difficult for the best swimmers from each state to have a head-to-head competition each year. Some states, such as California and Indiana, have one true state high school championship. North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia, meanwhile, have separate classifications of state championship meets based on the size of the school, so top swimmers do not always face off. For instance, Virginia has a total of six high school state championship meets, and North Carolina has a whopping seven different state high school championship meets. As a result, these states can appear to not be as strong when looking at a specific state meet, but overall, the level of competition remains impressive.
On the other end of the spectrum, some states do not have sanctioned, varsity high school swimming. For example, many regions in Maryland, a state with incredible club swimming, do not offer high school swimming. In addition, some states in New England also do not officially sanction high school swimming. The lack of statewide high school swimming deprives high school swimmers in these states of the memorable opportunity to represent their school at a high level of competition.
Undoubtedly, U.S. high school swimming continues to produce elite swimmers year after year. High school swimming is a great experience for everyone who is lucky enough to participate, giving swimmers of all levels cherished memories of high school swimming for the rest of their lives.
Fastest High School Times in 2023 per Swimcloud:
Men:
| Event | Swimmer | Time | Meet | State |
| 50y Free | Lucca Battaglini | 19.47 | NCHSAA 3A State Championship | North Carolina |
| 100y Free | Kaii Winkler | 42.52 | FHSAA 1A State Championship | Florida |
| 200y Free | Aaron Shackell | 1:32.85 | IHSAA Boys State Championship | Indiana |
| 500y Free | Rex Maurer | 4:12.70 | CIF-SS D1 Championship | California |
| 100y Back | Will Modglin | 45.08 | IHSAA Boys State Championship | Indiana |
| 100y Breast | Will Heck | 52.38 | FHSAA 1A State Championship | Florida |
| 100y Fly | Scotty Buff | 44.97 | OHSAA D1 State Championship | Ohio |
| 200y IM | Maximus Williamson | 1:42.17 | UIL 6A State Championship | Texas |
| 200y Free Relay |
Zionsville Community High School |
1:20.53 | IHSAA Boys State Championship | Indiana |
| 400y Free Relay | Loyola High School | 2:56.14 | CIF State Championship | California |
| 200y Medley Relay | Carmel High School | 1:27.83 | IHSAA Boys State Championships | Indiana |
Indiana: 4
California: 2
Florida: 2
Ohio: 1
Texas: 1
North Carolina: 1
Women
| Event | Swimmer | Time | Meet | State |
| 50y Free | Hailey Tierney | 21.84 | WIAA D1 Girls State Championship | Wisconsin |
| 100y Free | Erika Pelaez | 48.08 | FHSAA 1A State Championship | Florida |
| 200y Free | Erin Gemmell | 1:43.45 | Metro Championship | Maryland |
| 500y Free | Cavan Gormsen | 4:39.82 | NYSPHSAA Girls Federation Championship | New York |
| 100y Back | Leah Shackley | 50.83 | 2023 PIAA District 6 Championship | Pennsylvania |
| 100y Breast | Lucy Thomas | 58.89 | WIAA D1 Girls State Championship | Wisconsin |
| 100y Fly | Alex Shackell | 50.89 | IHSAA Girls State Championship | Indiana |
| 200y IM | Teagan O’Dell | 1:53.38 | CIF State Championship | California |
| 200y Free Relay | Santa Margarita Catholic High School | 1:29.61 | CIF-SS Division 1 Championship |
California |
| 400y Free Relay | Santa Margarita Catholic High School | 3:16.84 | CIF-SS Division 1 Championship | California |
| 200y Medley Relay | Carmel High School | 1:36.98 | IHSAA Girls State Championship | Indiana |
California: 3
Indiana: 2
Wisconsin: 2
Maryland: 1
New York: 1
Pennsylvania: 1
Florida: 1
Total for Men and Women:
Indiana: 6
California: 5
Florida: 3
Wisconsin: 2
Maryland: 1
New York: 1
Pennsylvania: 1
Ohio: 1
Texas: 1
North Carolina: 1
I have to post a correction. California does not have one State meet for all. CIF does not include Northern California, NSCIF, which is basically north of Sacramento. This section swims in the Fall and is not allowed to participate in the state meet in the Spring. As a parent with a child on the cusp of times and starting high school next year, it is very aggravating that our kids are denied this chance to participate.