Clay Allen has been dreaming of this moment since the day he started swimming when he was 7 years old.
The chance at winning a sectional title and earning the opportunity to swim at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis in the IHSAA state finals.
That dream will become a reality today.
“While that goal has not always seemed very achievable, but as years have gone by and seasons have passed, that goal has gotten closer and closer and more real,” Allen said.
Allen, a Southmont senior, won the 100 butterfly at last week’s sectional with a time of 55.47 seconds and will swim in the state prelims today. This comes one year after a close second-place finish at the sectional in 2024.
“This year when I finished and looked at the board, it was pure joy and excitement realizing that I get to do the one thing I set out to do when I had no idea how possible it was,” he said. “It’s a bittersweet moment knowing that I only have one swim left of my high school career and very possibly my life.”
Crawfordsville junior Shawn Ewoldt may be the only Athenian swimming at this year’s state finals, but led by his sectional win in the breaststroke — it was a total team effort that gave the Athenians their most recent sectional title — which was their 24th in program history and sixth in a row.
“I really am lucky to have the chance to swim and all of my teammates and my coach are great and supportive,” Ewoldt said. “I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for my team and I don’t think we would’ve had a chance at sectional if it wasn’t for each other.”
Ewoldt’s win in the breaststroke with a time of 59.53 seconds helped the Athenians to a narrow two-point sectional win over second-place Western Boone.
“My hard work paid off and it shows how important support is,” Ewoldt said. “I hope to do a good job for my family and teammates, as this is very important to everyone around me.”
North Montgomery freshman Marshall Templeman also will compete at the state meet after winning the 200 individual medley in 2:05.21.
