Indiana school's 30th straight swimming title breaks record

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The girls' swimming team at Carmel High School spent all season chasing records.

On Saturday, the Greyhounds finally got the one that mattered most.

The team from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis won nine of 12 events at the state finals to cruise to a 30th consecutive state title and break a 30-year-old record for the longest championship streak by a high school team in any sport.

The previous record belonged to the boys swim team at Honolulu's Punahou High School, which was attended by President Barack Obama. The school won every state title from 1958-86.

''It takes a lot of work to make it all happen,'' coach Chris Plumb said. ''To have the girls down on the pool deck and all the other girls cheering in the stands upstairs, they both feed off each other and that's what makes our program so successful.''

As usual, it wasn't even close.

The swimmers finished with 438 points and broke the record in style.

Hamilton Southeastern, another school form Indy's northern suburbs, finished second with 193 1/2 points.

Individually, the performances were just as dynamic.

Olympic Trial qualifier Claire Adams won individual titles in the 100-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke as well the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay. Adams finished her high school career by becoming the first female swimmer to capture 16 state titles - the most possible for any individual swimmer in the state.

Teammate Veronica Burchill, also a senior and Olympic Trial qualifier, won the 100 butterfly in a state record time of 51.79 seconds and was just 0.09 seconds off of the national public school record in the event. She also had wins in the 200 medley as well as the 200 and 400 free relays. She captured 15 state titles to finish second to Adams in the all-time standings.

And Plumb took home his 10th state title. The previous mark belonged to Tony Young, who also had a hand in the Carmel dynasty.

''I was nervous, I had that feeling of not having been here before,'' Plumb said, acknowledging it felt like his first state meet. ''But at the same time I can't believe how much I've learned and am still learning. He (Young) has taught me so much. To be a part of this is so amazing.''"