The success of the Crawfordsville boys swim team over the past eight to 10 years has been almost unprecedented. While there have been many great swimmers to come through the program, this year’s group of Athenians, especially the seniors, stands out.
One of those seniors — Marshall Horton — has led the way for the Athenians. The records set and accolades earned by Horton speak for themselves.
At the sectional he was a part of all three records that fell. He was a member of the 200 medley relay (1:36.40) and 200 freestyle relay (1:27.63) as well as the 100 breaststroke (57.86).
At the state finals Horton and the 200 medley team placed 16th overall. He also added a 16th place finish in the 100 freestyle. The 16th overall finishes were the first time CHS has swam on the final day at the state finals since the 2007 season.
“Marshall was really fueled early on by the competition with his younger brother (Whitman),” Crawfordsville coach Kevin Hedrick said. “That allowed him to become the elite athlete that he is today and also a top 16 swimmer in the state.
“Once he decided there was a place for him around his sophomore year, even with a really talented younger brother, he decided that leadership wasn’t always about being the fastest. That’s when we really saw the change with him and he started to be the swimmer that we see today. We wound him up, put him in the water and now here is. He willed himself to be at this point and swim at this level because he knew he could accomplish big things.”
The history making season as an individual and the dominating success the Athenians had as a team has earned Horton the 2022 Journal Review Boys Swimmer of the Year.
“For as long as I can remember I’ve really been working for all of the benefits that I’m reaping now,” he said. “It’s really satisfying to know that my name and those records will be up there on the wall with my teammates. For us to be able make all the history that we have this year as a team, it’s really just an added bonus to all of the success that we’ve had.”
While Horton may not have began his career with the Athenians as a dominant swimmer, he has ended his career as one and that’s the goal of every athlete is to be able to end their career on the highest note possible.
“He’s matured so well and has really came along here at the latter part of his career,” Hedrick said. “He has senior state cuts in club (Sugar Creek Swim Club) in nearly every event. Whatever you ask of him he’ll go out and do and that’s what you want out of someone like him.”
The Athenians have won seven of the last eight sectional titles, including 10 of the 11 events this year, and sent a total of eight individuals to the state finals.
“Historic,” Horton said. “We’ve all had a certain vibe around us since we were little kids growing up in this program. Coach Hedrick and our parents have all been waiting on us to be a part of this special group together and I’d say that we met expectations. Each and everyone of us swam amazing this year.”
Like most athletes at CHS Horton plays multiple sports and has found success in those sports. This past fall he was a part of the boys soccer team that went undefeated in the Sagamore Conference and claimed the SAC title.
However, the pool is where Horton not only thrives the most, but also cherishes the most.
“It has taught me the most valuable lessons of all the sports that I play,” he said. “I can use these lessons outside of the pool like in the classroom and the workplace and that’s why I love it the most.”
Horton and his senior teammates have left a legacy with the Athenians that will be difficult to match. Horton hopes the impact he’s had is carried on by the next group of CHS swimmers.
“I like to think that myself and the rest of us have left a great legacy here,” he said. “I think that I serve as an image that if you really want your name somewhere and leave a legacy that you can do it if you really want it. I came from being a role swimmer my freshman year. I hope I showed the younger generations that you can be great at anything you want if you truly set your mind to it.”
