Stewart Johnson
The Lady Dragons boast two swimmers that have qualified for Olympic trials in Kit Kat Zenick and Riley Francis, while Ashley Zettle and Corbyn Cormack are high school All-American qualifiers with their times. Senior Tina Karl was a high school All-American last year and brings that experience to the team this season.
Youth is also a force on this year’s team, as Murphy says five or six freshmen girls are expected to compete at the state tournament.
While Ryan Perham is the only returning boys state-qualifying swimmer from last year, sophomores Mason Edmund and Andrew Zettle, and juniors Christian Balint, Jackson Pogue, Michael Kietzman and Nicholas Swafford are all expected to join Perham in making All-American for their efforts on relays.
The diving team should produce points at the postseason meets as well, with Hailey Hernandez (two-time National Diver of the Year, two-time state diving champ and recent U.S. Senior Nationals winner) leading the way for the girls. Seniors Bridgett O’Neil and Alison Ward will also provide a big boost. Jackson Miller (state champ two years ago and runner-up last year), a junior, and senior Phillip Kleiman (eighth at state last year and an All-American), lead the boys divers.
The extra effort Carroll’s swimmers and divers give throughout the year should pay off down the postseason stretch, Murphy says.
SEASON UPDATE
Carroll ruled the water in 2019, capturing 6A state swimming and diving titles in both the boys and girls divisions. For the Carroll boys, it was the ninth consecutive year to bring home the gold.
The road to 10 in a row could be much more challenging this time around, but it’s not outside the Dragons’ reach, says Carroll swim coach Kevin Murphy. However, the Lady Dragons are likely candidates for building a championship streak of their own if they advance to state in February as expected.
Heading into the district meet Jan. 18, the Carroll girls won all the previous meets this season in which they swam and the boys lost only one. The TISCA Lonestar Classic in Mansfield on Nov. 22 was a key meet, serving as a measuring stick to compare times with the best around the state.
The Dragon swimmers have thrived despite the early season challenges due to the remodeling of the natatorium.
Head Coach: Kevin Murphy
Assistant Coaches: Paul Wallace, Rachel Ausdenmoore
Diving Coach: Carolyn Hryorchuk
Boys (swimmers)
Michael Kietzman, Junior
Ryan Perham, Senior
Christian Balint, Junior
Nicholas Swafford, Junior
Mason Edmund, Sophomore
Jack Pogue, Junior
Andrew Zettle, Sophomore
Andrew Fu, Junior
Grayson Whitsett, Senior
Leo Lin, Senior
John Stoklas, Freshman
Cameron Walter, Sophomore
Bennett Bibza, Junior
Tyler Casey, Junior
Luke Wenger, Junior
Jay Lu, Senior
Ryan Spielvogel, Senior
Jack Fergus, Junior
Eric Eaton, Senior
Mark Li, Senior
Adam Wenger, Freshman
Boys (divers)
Jackson Miller, Junior
Phillip Kleiman, Senior
Reid Klein, Junior
Girls (swimmers)
Riley Francis, Sophomore
Ashley Zettle, Senior
Hailey Heldenbrand, Freshman
Corbyn Cormack, Junior
Kate Heintz, Freshman
Isabella Woods, Sophomore
Dylin Cormack, Freshman
Sarah Chappell, Sophomore
Tina Karl, Senior
Kit Kat Zenick, Senior
Madelyn Clem, Freshman
Bailey Kaiser, Freshman
Riley Heck, Junior
Morgan Chocholek, Junior
Emily Hatcher, Sophomore
Emily Cundiff, Junior
Kacey Ross, Junior
Alexis Drap, Freshman
Reyna Clark, Sophomore
Isabella Miller, Senior
Girls (divers)
Allison Ward, Senior
Bridgett O’Neil, Senior
Hailey Hernandez, Junior
Kyleigh Kidd, Sophomore
Ashley Bevan-Thomas, Sophomore
Isabelle LeBlanc, Senior
Tatum Evans, Junior