When Ellie Walker steps onto the starting blocks for her 100 yard freestyle race at the IU Natatorium today, all the hard work will have been worth it to get to that moment.
“It felt like everything had paid off,” Walker said following her sectional title last Saturday. “I knew I was working hard, and I was getting so close. This year I just felt like everything finally went well for me.”
Walker, a Crawfordsville senior who has been a lifelong competitor in the Crawfordsville Aquatics Center through Sugar Creek Swim Club and her middle school and high school seasons, will join senior teammates Sophia Melevage and Guinevere Schmitzer-Torbert in multiple events at the state finals after Crawfordsville dominated the sectional by winning eight titles.
All three swimmers have competed at state before, but this is the first time Walker has qualified as an individual.
“It’s kind of scary if you’re there alone,” Schmitzer-Torbert said about the environment. “There’s always so many students and it’s crowded. It’s nice to have your corner of people to go to. There’s always a little section of Crawfordsville cheering you on on the side of the pool.”
Schmitzer-Torbert will swim in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.
“I went to state my sophomore year in the 100 breaststroke and it was a great experience and then last year, I had that plateau that all swimmers get,” she said. “and I wasn’t getting my times and didn’t make it back, so I’m excited to be back and get another chance to try again.”
Melevage is also back at state as individual after qualifying as a freshman and sophomore.
“Mentally last year I just think I was in a really bad spot,” she said. “I think I’ve gotten better. I think I’ve been able to keep my mind open more after races, instead of beating myself down if I don’t go fast.”
Junior Marie Hesler will join the senior trio — swimming in the 500 freestyle. The Athenians will also compete in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays after sweeping the relays at the sectional.
“I think every swimmer has shown improvement this year. We had all 15 of our swimmers make it back to finals at sectional,” Melevage said. “I think everybody has shown a lot of growth, and we’ve all done a good job of motivating each other to go faster.”
Melanie Dowd, Maesa Horton and Katherine Novak join Hesler, Melevage, Schmitzer-Torbert and Walker on the relay teams.
The seniors said that while their individual and team success didn’t happen instantly over the last four years — their ability to grow as captains this season helped lead to a dominant season.
“Big shoutout to coach Hedrick. He does a good job of managing us, but also giving us room as captains to lead the team,” Walker said.
Charger duo will swim at state
North Montgomery juniors Dusty Robinson and Kylie Sankey will represent North Montgomery in the swim state finals after winning their respective events at the sectional.
Sankey will compete in the 200 freestyle.
Having this opportunity to swim at state is truly a blessing,” she said. “I’ve worked so hard to get to this point and my coaches and teammates have made it possible to get here. It means so much to represent North and myself by swimming here. I’m looking forward to having one last shot swimming the 200 this year and being alongside my North and Crawfordsville swim friends.”
Robinson will compete in the 100 backstroke, and is excited about the opportunity after the sectional win.
“For me, the sectional title along with the opportunity to swim at state represents the light at the end of the tunnel,” Robinson said. “I have overcome many battles, both within the sport and my personal life. This victory is proof that my hard work and perseverance paid off.”
