When you look up at the record board hanging at the Crawfordsville Aquatics Center, you might see a familiar name appear a handful of times. That name would be Whitman Horton. This winter Horton capped off a career that will be talked about for a long time at CHS. After placing on the podium his junior year with a sixth place finish in the 100 backstroke at the IHSAA State Finals, Horton yet again swam on the final day of the boys swimming season. Despite not making the finals in the 100 backstroke, Horton still saved his best races for last. He won the consolations of the 100 backstroke while going on to finish ninth in the state. His time was the sixth fastest overall. Also in the 200 IM, Horton finished 11th in the state.
Two top 11 finishes for the Crawfordsville senior solidified himself as one of the state’s best. While Horton wanted to finish on the podium again in his senior year, he still noted how it was a career that he wouldn’t trade for anything.
“I’ve been swimming since I was six years old and this sport has given me so much more than I could’ve asked for,” Horton said. “I’m a more mature and well-rounded person because of this. The sport of swimming is a great way for me to learn how the world works and how being persistent at something for so long can help you become a better overall person. I learned how I respond when things don’t go my way and when it’s 6:30 in the morning at practice. I’m just really thankful now that I’m moving into a different part of my life, that I can look back and see that it’s been a phenomenal ride. I’ve accomplished so much but it’s more than that and I cherish these four years forever.”
Being a two-time state finalist and having his name up on the record board at CHS for all that he’s accomplished in his four years, Horton gets to cap off his career by repeating as the 2023-24 Journal Review Boys Swimmer of the Year.
Longtime Crawfordsville swim coach Kevin Hedrick, as he has the last few years, spoke on what his superstar swimmer not only has accomplished while at CHS, but what the future also holds for him moving forward.
“The best part for Whit is he isn’t done with writing chapters in his swimming career,” Hedrick said. “While he’s been a champion for us, we’re so excited for what the future holds for him at Williams University. We’re looking at another four years of hopefully continuing to be a champion and getting to do more great things. We do look back at these last four years and of course are super proud of all that Whit has accomplished. He’s definitely left a legacy here and we’re looking forward to watching him progress further.”
Horton has cemented his name with other great CHS swimmers who have made their names heard at the State Finals. The last two season’s Horton has stepped into a big leadership role with CHS. He’s been at the forefront of guiding the next great edition of CHS swimmers.
“Our culture here at Crawfordsville is amazing and its my job along with these other senior to help instill that in our younger guys,” Horton said. “I look up at that board and show them that these are all-time great Athenians who accomplished great things and led the way for us. I’m really happy that I’ve been able to carry on that tradition these last four years.”
