Stewart Johnson
Loaded with experience, the Carroll girls swim team boasts several high school All-Americans and returning athletes who competed and placed in state competition last season.
Senior Hailey Heldenbrand, who finished second at state in the 50 freestyle and seventh in the 100 backstroke, leads the charge for the Lady Dragons. Sophomore Marin Clem (third in the 50 free, seventh in the 100 free) and senior Kate Heintz (fifth in the 200 free, eighth in the 100 fly) also carry state experience.
After taking the 6A state title last year, the Carroll boys team has less state-experienced swimmers this season. Junior Max Hatcher is one of the few returners that finaled at state, finishing fifth in the 500 free. But younger boys swimmers are gaining experience this year.
“A lot of them are just about a year away from being significant state swimmers,” swim coach Kevin Murphy says. “We’re looking forward to that.”
Carroll’s top female diver, junior Natalie Stubbs (second at state in 2022), is injured and won’t compete in postseason meets. But other girls divers (Jenna Hurley, Melina Michaelides, Reagan Evans and Dillan DeLugo) stepped up to finish No. 2-5 at district and advance to region. Carroll junior Nathan Stone finished fifth among boys divers to advance as well.
SEASON UPDATE
A dominant program that captured the boys and girls 6A state titles in 2022, the Carroll swimming and diving teams are rarely challenged at the district meet. However, the boys team’s toughest competition likely comes from its own backyard this season.
The Keller boys might be the top 6A team in Texas this year, as the Dragons witnessed the neighboring school district’s depth firsthand when they finished second to the Indians (193-142) at the 4-6A meet Jan. 20th. Carroll swim coach Kevin Murphy expected a replay finish at the Region I meet Feb. 3-4.
The Carroll girls, on the other hand, appeared more likely to defend their state title. The Lady Dragons easily won district over second-place Keller (233-129) and won regionals in dominant fashion by more than 200 points.
The Lady Dragons won every swim meet they competed in this season, while the boys won all their dual meets and finished second at the TISCA meet to Keller. At the state championship, the girls finished second overall, while the boys finished eighth.
"We need to stay healthy and focused and accelerate in swim practice," Murphy says. “If they’re sharp, then they’re going to have good results.”