Story by Will Willems | IHSAA.org Carmel wins 11th straight title, Allen wins distance double The team title streak continued for the Carmel Greyhounds, who claimed their 11th-straight title on Saturday afternoon with 412.5 points - the second most in state history. Their margin of 196.5 points over second-place Fishers was the fourth most in history. “Our kids did an awesome job,” Carmel head coach Chris Plumb said. “The races that were tight we pulled out, and all three relays really brought it today. This was great racing and I am really proud of the team.” The Greyhounds swept the three relays for the second-straight year. The medley relay team of Anderson Kopp, Yi Zheng, Andrew Shackell and Michael Gorey finished in 1:29.39, the only team to break 1:31. The 200-free relay team of Shackell, Carter Hadley, Gorey and Zheng touched in 1:21.64, and the 400-free relay team of Shackell, Trent Allen, Hadley and Kopp cruised to the win in 2:59.53. “We knew the 400-free relay was going to be a battle, and those guys brought it,” Plumb said. “We were seeded third coming into the final, so we knew we would have to be on our ‘A’ game to finish the meet. We didn’t just cash it in, we finished strong and those guys stepped up.” The Greyhounds, who had 21 swims in the finals and two in the consolations, picked up three individual titles. Shackell won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 47.42, despite losing his goggles during the race. Allen was also a double champ, taking the distance freestyle events. It was a big difference from a year ago, when Allen swam the 50- and 100-freestyles in the postseason. “I have always enjoyed the distance (races), but last year that is what the team needed,” Allen said. “I am willing to do what coach needs me to do, but I love the 200 and 500. I love distance practice, even if everyone else hates it.” Allen won the 200-free in 1:37.07, holding off Fishers Jonathan Hines by a half second. In the 500 those two, along with Carmel’s Kopp, had a three-way battle for the title. Allen won with a 4:20.88, thanks to a 24.84 final 50, with Kopp placing second in 4:21.19 and Hines being third in 4:22.54. “That race was a lot of fun,” Allen said. “I train with Anderson all year, and we push each other in practice. I know Johnny too, and he’s really nice and competitive. We like to race a lot, and I’m glad it was a good race. I wanted us all to go fast, but I wanted to win.” Allen said it is that competitive spirit that keeps pushing the Greyhounds to new heights. “It’s special (to be a Greyhound),” Allen said. “We come in here early mornings, and everyone is there to compete, you don’t see anyone not competing. If they aren’t then other people will tell them they need to step it up. It’s just the teamwork we have built.”