Trojans sweep boys and girls county swim meet

For Center Grove High School senior swimmer Chase Bettner, squeaking out a team victory in the Johnson County meet was welcome news.

“It feels good after Franklin won last year,” Bettner said. “We won my freshman and sophomore year, so it was nice to win as seniors.”

Trojans coach Jim Todd didn’t seem quite as thrilled when he was finally informed his team had nipped Franklin 478 to 472 to win the boys team title.

“That’s not good,” Todd said. “I wanted us to be on the other end so we had more to work for. They’re (Grizzly Cubs) a very good team. They just had a couple of things not go their way.

“(Franklin) swam very well.”

Franklin was ranked No. 7 in the preseason rankings and Center Grove No. 21.

Bettner, who has committed to swim for Miami (Ohio) University, captured both the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly and was on the winning 200 medley relay team on Saturday at tournament-host Indian Creek.

Franklin senior Adam Destrampe, who has committed to Indiana, was named the boys Swimmer of the Meet for the second consecutive year. Destrampe captured the 200 individual medley, the 500 freestyle and was on two winning teams (200 free relay and 400 free).

Center Grove senior Caroline Sheehan, who is headed to swim for Western Kentucky, also repeated as the girls Swimmer of the Meet, helping pace the Trojans to a convincing team victory.

The No. 7 Trojans won with 537 points, more than 105 more than second-place Franklin.

Sheehan won the 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle and was on the 200 free and 400 free relay teams.

“I was pleased, but I definitely have more work to do,” Sheehan said of her times. “As a team, we were really good and cheering each other on which helped us.”

Sheehan was one of three double winners in individual events for the Center Grove girls. Juniors Peighton Gilbert (100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle) and Emily Saugstad (200 free, 100 free) were the others.

“It’s a good motivation for sectionals just to know what you are looking forward to. It’s kind of a preview of what sectionals will be like,” Saugstad said. “The girls really raced, and we did a good job of beating the people next to us.”

All three Center Grove relay teams won. Saugstad participated on the 200 and 400 free relays.

“I love relays more than my individual events,” Saugstad said. “We got to the state in 200 free relay last year, breaking the school record there so we hope to do better.

“Every girl on the relay is better than they were last year so that’s exciting.”

Other winners for the Center Grove girls were juniors Rachel Smallwood diving) and Amanda Ward (100 backstroke).

Franklin freshman Anna McCahill was the lone girls winner from another school.

Also winning for the Trojans in the boys portion of the meet were sophomore Noah Tallman (100 free) and junior Alex Krasutsky (100 breaststroke).

Todd was satisfied with both teams’ effort.

“Going into the Christmas break, they really enjoy the competition and trying to set themselves up for the second half of the season,” Todd said. “They did a nice job of doing that (Saturday).

“It’s good to go into Christmas break on a positive note.”

Franklin also had winners with seniors Brion Brooks (diving) and Clayton Culp (100 free).

Indian Creek junior Wyeth Brock captured the 100 backstroke crown.

In the boys meet, Whiteland was third followed by Greenwood and Indian Creek. In the girls meet, Whiteland finished third, followed by Indian Creek and Greenwood.