Franklin High School sophomore Carla Gildersleeve knows something about splashy debuts.
The one she made last winter qualifies as an all-out cannonball.
Gildersleeve made her first February of varsity competition one to remember by securing two individual sectional first-place finishes and two more as part of Grizzly Cub relay efforts.
She capped her season with two visits to the State Finals awards podium.
Gildersleeve picked up a sixth-place medal in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:51.15. She took to the IUPUI Natatorium pool as the No. 1 seed in the 500 free based on her sectional-winning time of 4:55.51.
Her time of 4:54.68 was second-fastest in the preliminaries. In the finals, Gildersleeve wound up seventh in 4:57.84.
“I was happy with my season last year. It was a little intimidating, especially at state,” Gildersleeve said. “I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect.”
Now she does.
A competitive swimmer since she was in elementary school, Gildersleeve is part of the Cubs’ outstanding sophomore class that also includes defending sectional titlists Jessie Fraley and Ali Terrell along with Scarlet Friend.
This Franklin squad has its share of tested veterans as well.
A senior class led by Abi Gibson also includes Arden Friend, Gabby Hoffman, Brenna Pearcy and diver Maddie Powell. Key juniors include Ella Pheifer and Anna McCahill.
Fifth-year Franklin coach Zach DeWitt looks forward to seeing what this group is able to accomplish over the next few months individually and collectively.
The Grizzly Cubs open the season at home Saturday morning against county rival Center Grove.
Having grown by way of a year of varsity experiences, Gildersleeve could be even better this time around.
“We’ve worked on technique with Carla since last March and have really seen some positive results,” DeWitt said. “Her attention to detail is really second to none. With club swimming, I’ve coached Carla since she was seven years old, so I’ve known her half her life.
“We’ve been excited about her (eventually) being on this team at least as long as I’ve been here.”
The dedication required to be one of the best swimmers for one of the state’s premier programs — the Grizzly Cubs are ranked 12th in the preseason coaches poll — is well documented.
Gildersleeve and her teammates set their alarms early in order to be in the Franklin High School pool by 5:45 a.m. for before-school practice sessions.
After-school practices last until 5:30 p.m.
In between, Gildersleeve works to maintain her 4.0 grade-point average in the classroom.
“It’s just the atmosphere of swimming that I love,” Gildersleeve said. “The chance to practice with all your friends and watching yourself progress.”
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Name: Carla Gildersleeve
Age: 16
Born: Indianapolis
Family: Parents Brett and Jill; brothers Jake, 21, and Chance, 18
Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Favorite food: Pancakes
Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps
Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts
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CENTER GROVE
Coach: Jim Todd
Who’s back: Jillian Castor, Bailey Conder, Hannah Gavorski, Sara Kempf, Jaden King, Jules Lawson, Emma Pawlik, Jordan Voegerl
Who’s gone: Peighton Gilbert, Rachel Smallwood
New kids on the block: Allison Conkin, Gracie Marsh
Outlook: With only four seniors on a roster of 23 athletes, this Trojans team looks to improve as the season progresses. King and Castor return in freestyle events. These two, along with Pawlik, were part of Center Grove’s 200-yard freestyle relay that placed 25th at the State Finals. The same trio helped the Trojans to 23rd in the 400 free relay.
Todd says: “This is going to be a rebuilding season for us. We’re looking for anything to happen. It’s a very hard-working group of girls that has devoted a lot of time to the season so far.”
FRANKLIN
Coach: Zach DeWitt
Who’s back: Jessie Fraley, Arden Friend, Scarlet Friend, Abi Gibson, Carla Gildersleeve, Gabby Hoffman, Anna McCahill, Ella Pheifer, Maddie Powell, Ali Terrell
Who’s gone: Blaec Kunze, Madeline Daily. Madison Purcell
New kids on the block: Lina Caudill, Sarah Hoffman
Outlook: A memorable season could be in store for the Grizzly Cubs, who last season rode the talents of numerous underclassmen to a 14th-place finish in the State Finals. Sophomore Gildersleeve leads the way after making the awards podium twice as an individual and being part of two State Finals relay qualifiers.
DeWitt says: “Our goal is a top five placing at state. We think we have the pieces in place to do that. I don’t think the girls shy away from the pressure. Lofty expectations are more like fuel to these girls.”
GREENWOOD
Coach: Matt Hockersmith
Who’s back: Bridget Lindstrom, Samantha Lowdermilk, Caroline Marot, Jamie Yeader. Ellie Miller
Who’s gone: Bailey Ippolito, Krista Jones, Elizabeth Kear
New kids on the block: Jasmyn Vaught, Alexandra Wilson
Outlook: First-year coach and 1999 Ben Davis High School graduate Hockersmith takes over the Woodmen program, which by scoring 14 points as a team secured a 27th-place finish in the State Finals.
Hockersmith says: “We’re working hard to bring some of our times down. Our goal, really, is to get good results at the county meet and at sectional. If we get good times maybe we can get someone to state. But you have to show up now if you want to show up at sectional.”
INDIAN CREEK
Coach: Brad Smith
Who’s back: Lexy Burge, Jena Fenton, Sam Keymon, Lori McCormick, Lexi Wilhoit
Who’s gone: None
New kids on the block: Payton Allison, Sierra Bowman, Georgia Crandall, Bella Ratzlaff
Outlook: Smith’s 22nd season as head coach has the Braves working with only nine varsity swimmers. Yet the team, led by returning State Finals qualifiers McCormick and Wilhoite, finds itself ranked 26th in the state preseason poll. McCormick, a junior, placed 27th at state a year ago in the 200 individual medley and 28th in the 100 breaststroke. Wilhoit came in 15th in the 100 backstroke as a freshman.
Smith says: “The numbers aren’t exactly where we want, but we still have pretty high expectations. We feel we have the talent to get (Wilhoit and McCormick) back to state, and possibly a third girl. In addition, we would also like to get a relay team to state.”
WHITELAND
Coach: Marci Whitford
Who’s back: Maria Campbell, Kenna Gough, Cassi Hall, Cassie Havens, Ashley Lawrence, Alexa Lutz, Averie Myers, Kylie Perry
Who’s gone: Joanna Udrasols, Jorden Wood
New kids on the block: Gabbie Campbell, Morgan Giroud, Alex Halle, Danni Mekkes, Lissy Vanette
Outlook: Now in her second season as Warriors coach, Whitford depends on a strong senior nucleus led by Perry and Myers, school record-holders in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, respectively. Perry (200 free), Myers (50 and 100 free) and Campbell (1-meter diving) all took sixth at the Franklin Sectional last season. The third-place 200 freestyle relay was comprised of Perry, Lutz, Gough and Myers.
Whitford says: “The girls have been putting in a lot of effort in the offseason. Our ultimate goal is to place second at the Mid-State Conference meet and at sectional. I’ve got girls who are super dedicated and are ready to go.”
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