On Saturday Dec 1, the SHS girls swimming and diving team opened play with seven schools in the Cardinal Classic. For the first time in the history of the event, the girls placed first, earning a total of 290 points. Warren Central came in second with 254 points and Perry Meridian came in third with 251 points. Franklin Central HS, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Heritage Christian School, Greenwood Christian Academy, and Covenant Christian followed these teams.

This event acted as a showcase of the talent the team has gained in the offseason. With three new freshman and no seniors lost the previous year, the team underwent tremendous growth in talent and skill and they were ready to put it to the test. In each of the 11 races of the day, swimmers were able to showcase their skills. Out of the 11 events, SHS girls won seven races.

Standout swimmers included Freshman Caroline Reinke, freshman Maddie Jarvis, sophomore Sophie Mitchell and senior Liz Lamkin. These four girls worked together to win the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:56.48 and the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:55.87. The four also placed in each of the other races they competed in. Reinke won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:03.74 and the 100 freestyle with a time of 57.44. Jarvis won the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:02.98 and the 50 freestyle with a time of 26.40. Lamkin won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:13.08. These races were essential in contributing to the win on Saturday.

Lamkin was emotional at the end of the day having won the event for the first time her senior year, knowing it was her last chance.

“It felt great winning our invite our senior year,” said Lamkin, “coming from a team with only five girls pretty much (my) entire high school career to this is just unbelievable.”

Reinke was also pleased with the team performance as well as her own in her very first Cardinal Classic.

“I’m really proud of how far we’ve come,individually and as a team,” said Reinke.