- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,403
- Reaction score
- 59
Bloomington South's Harper Eakin and Edgewood's Ellie Vagedes have always been focused on the long run when it comes to swimming, though in much different ways.
For Vagedes, each year, each meet, each lap was a carefully planned step in where she wanted to be her senior year.
For Eakin, who raced to state in both distance freestyle events her freshman year and kept piling up the accomplishments, the longer the race the better as she follows in the footsteps of her mother and older sister Alex.
More: 'Determined' Jaclyn Hillenburg leads All-Area girls wrestling team
Their efforts this year made both of them standout. Vagedes was the only two-time individual sectional champ this year and broke a half-dozen school records. Eakin won just one sectional race (giving her seven for her career) but was the only swimmer to score at the state finals.
In the end, they both figuratively touched the pad at the same time and will share the title of 2026 Herald-Times Girls Swimmer of the Year. Vagedes is the first Mustang to be honored.
"As far as her career goes, it's just been phenomenal," Edgewood coach Jeff Kohne said. "Not just because of her actual accomplishments, but the way everything happened. That was always the goal.
"At the beginning of the season, she had fallen short of a sectional championship earlier in her career. So almost every swim that was in the plan to get there. We had it all planned out. And it was a great ride. She ended up with seven school records. That's pretty phenomenal. And she still has some middle school records."
Eakin's record was an amazing amount of consistency throughout four years. She never lost a 200 or a 500 free race at the Conference Indiana meet and she was six for six in the same races at sectional coming into this year.
She was knocked off in the 200 but came back to win the 500 and also had legs for five more relay sectional champs.
"I think she's got a lot to be proud of," South coach and mom Annie Eakin said. "Having that many wins for that many years, that's a pretty great accomplishment. And being the only individual (swimming) scorer at state for our team is family history."
Harper had to fight past her sister to win the first four titles, which meant she found herself the one being chased.
"Harper is very determined," Annie said. "She is just competitive all the way through and as a freshman, had her sister and other teammates to compete against, which kept her going and kept the fight real for her first couple of years.
"Then she found herself in a place she hadn't been before and it's always good to get uncomfortable to meet new challenges."
While Eakin is headed to Ohio University next year, Vagedes is also set to swim at IU Indianapolis. It's a rare sight for the Mustangs to have a collegiate swimmer, just as it was to see her in the state finals, a first for Edgewood since 2009. It was supposed to happen last year, but when it didn't it only made her more determined.
"One of the things we talked about, before she got out-touched her junior year in the 100 fly, we all thought she was guaranteed first place," Kohne said. "After that, she said, 'I needed that.' She put it all in perspective.
"And to be able to handle that disappointment as a junior, you're only 16, not an adult, was really impressive."
Looking back, that she overcame that was no surprise.
"As a freshman, it was just more her drive," Kohne said. "I've had upperclassmen who say, 'This is what I want to do this season. These are the goals and how hard need to work.' I've never had a freshman come in with all of that already planned out,
"I think it's her nature. She's a very goal-oriented person. When she finds something she really likes and has a desire for, she grabs a hold and doesn't let go."
Similarly, Eakin went all in on the family specialty, distance swimming, and the longer events at the collegiate level, such as the mile, are made for her.
"She's definitely a distance and not mid-D," Annie said. "The higher-level events, those are her strengths.
"For all of them, getting in the water and feeling more comfortable the further and further they go through it. So it just became a place where they were the happiest. I think some of it is genetic, slow twitch vs. fast twitch muscles. It's just a place they thrive."
Edgewood has been where Vagedes has shown others they can thrive. Not only is she a special athlete (she also ran at state with the cross country team), she and the senior class pulled the Mustangs to their best sectional performance ever as a team.
Along the way, Vagedes had a hand in lowering all three relay records and individual marks in the 100 and 200 freestyles, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
"As far as our program, her career has inspired a ton of younger girls and junior high girls coming up," Kohne said. "I think even though we'll miss the points she scored and the energy she brought to the team, her and Maya and the other seniors built a legacy behind them that's going to continue moving forward."
H-T Co-Swimmer of the Year won seven career individual and five relay sectional titles out of 16 swims. Only area swimmer to make the state finals, placing 14th in the 500 freestyle in 5:07.06. It was the third time swimming that event in the B Finals at state. Sectional runner-up in the 200 free (1:59.27). Conference Indiana champ in both events to complete an impressive four-year sweep. Also member of 400 free relay that won sectional and finished 22nd at state. Four-time All-Area. Will swim at Ohio.
Area's top performer in the 100 freestyle at sectional with a season best 56.16 for a runner-up finish. Seventh in the 50 free in 26.02. Also member of 200 medley relay that set the school record at 1:55.80 while taking third in the sectional finals and for the 400 free relay that was third at sectional in a school record 3:50.85. Honorable mention last year.
Took fourth in the 100 backstroke at sectional after posting a career best 1:04.27 in the prelims. Conference Indiana runner-up. Handled back for 200 medley relay that was a CI champ and sectional runner-up. Also placed fifth at sectional in the 100 free (56.82). Honorable mention last year.
Became the first South diver since Lindsey Weigle placed fifth in 2003 to bring home a medal from state, also taking fifth with 423.25. Conference Indiana champ with a 437.90, repeat sectional champ (432.95) and regional runner up by just 1.4 points with a 421.55. Broke school record for six dives with a 315.30. Repeat All-Area.
H-T Co-Swimmer of the Year and the first from Edgewood. Two-time sectional champion, winning the 50 freestyle in a career best 24.44 that missed school record by just .13, and also won the 100 butterfly in a school record 58.22. Went on to place 24th in the 50 free and 28th in the fly in her first trip to state. Also swam for two school record-setting relays, as the 200 medley relay (1:55.80) and the 400 free relay (3:50.85) each took third at sectional. Repeat All-Area. Will swim at IU Indianapolis.
A sectional runner-up in the 100 breaststroke in a career best 1:06.88 and also lowered her career best to 2:12.57 to also take second in the 200 individual medley. Conference Indiana champ in both events along with the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Anchored 400 free relay to sectional title and 22nd at state in 3:40.45. Three-time All-Area.
HONORABLE MENTION: Eliza Biltz, South, So. (breast, IM); Mia Bishop, South, Fr. (50 free, fly, medley relay); Lula Brown, South, So. (backstroke); Sara Buehler, North, Sr. (50 free, 100 free; 200 free relay); Paika Buss, South, Jr. (50 free; 200 free relay); Jillian Cowden, Edgewood, Fr. (back, medley relay, 400 free relay); Sakura Forney, South, So. (500 free, 200 IM); Sydney Garretson, North, Sr. (200 free, fly, 200 free relay); Irene Mandell, South, So. (backstroke); Maggie McCormack, Edgewood, So. (breast, medley relay, 400 free relay); Emeleia McLauchlin, South, Jr. (fly); Cece Merkel, South, Jr. (diving); Lucy Miksza, South, Sr. (diving); Brooklyn Vogel, South, Fr. (fly); Leona Wang, South, Sr. (100 free, breast, medley relay, 400 free relay); Campbell Warren, South, Jr. (200 free, 100 free; 200 free relay); Bre Watkins, North, So. (500 free, 200 free; 200 free relay).
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington area 2026 girls swimming all area team
Continue reading...
For Vagedes, each year, each meet, each lap was a carefully planned step in where she wanted to be her senior year.
For Eakin, who raced to state in both distance freestyle events her freshman year and kept piling up the accomplishments, the longer the race the better as she follows in the footsteps of her mother and older sister Alex.
More: 'Determined' Jaclyn Hillenburg leads All-Area girls wrestling team
Their efforts this year made both of them standout. Vagedes was the only two-time individual sectional champ this year and broke a half-dozen school records. Eakin won just one sectional race (giving her seven for her career) but was the only swimmer to score at the state finals.
In the end, they both figuratively touched the pad at the same time and will share the title of 2026 Herald-Times Girls Swimmer of the Year. Vagedes is the first Mustang to be honored.
You must be registered for see images attach
"As far as her career goes, it's just been phenomenal," Edgewood coach Jeff Kohne said. "Not just because of her actual accomplishments, but the way everything happened. That was always the goal.
"At the beginning of the season, she had fallen short of a sectional championship earlier in her career. So almost every swim that was in the plan to get there. We had it all planned out. And it was a great ride. She ended up with seven school records. That's pretty phenomenal. And she still has some middle school records."
Eakin's record was an amazing amount of consistency throughout four years. She never lost a 200 or a 500 free race at the Conference Indiana meet and she was six for six in the same races at sectional coming into this year.
She was knocked off in the 200 but came back to win the 500 and also had legs for five more relay sectional champs.
You must be registered for see images attach
"I think she's got a lot to be proud of," South coach and mom Annie Eakin said. "Having that many wins for that many years, that's a pretty great accomplishment. And being the only individual (swimming) scorer at state for our team is family history."
Harper had to fight past her sister to win the first four titles, which meant she found herself the one being chased.
"Harper is very determined," Annie said. "She is just competitive all the way through and as a freshman, had her sister and other teammates to compete against, which kept her going and kept the fight real for her first couple of years.
"Then she found herself in a place she hadn't been before and it's always good to get uncomfortable to meet new challenges."
While Eakin is headed to Ohio University next year, Vagedes is also set to swim at IU Indianapolis. It's a rare sight for the Mustangs to have a collegiate swimmer, just as it was to see her in the state finals, a first for Edgewood since 2009. It was supposed to happen last year, but when it didn't it only made her more determined.
"One of the things we talked about, before she got out-touched her junior year in the 100 fly, we all thought she was guaranteed first place," Kohne said. "After that, she said, 'I needed that.' She put it all in perspective.
"And to be able to handle that disappointment as a junior, you're only 16, not an adult, was really impressive."
Looking back, that she overcame that was no surprise.
"As a freshman, it was just more her drive," Kohne said. "I've had upperclassmen who say, 'This is what I want to do this season. These are the goals and how hard need to work.' I've never had a freshman come in with all of that already planned out,
"I think it's her nature. She's a very goal-oriented person. When she finds something she really likes and has a desire for, she grabs a hold and doesn't let go."
Similarly, Eakin went all in on the family specialty, distance swimming, and the longer events at the collegiate level, such as the mile, are made for her.
"She's definitely a distance and not mid-D," Annie said. "The higher-level events, those are her strengths.
"For all of them, getting in the water and feeling more comfortable the further and further they go through it. So it just became a place where they were the happiest. I think some of it is genetic, slow twitch vs. fast twitch muscles. It's just a place they thrive."
Edgewood has been where Vagedes has shown others they can thrive. Not only is she a special athlete (she also ran at state with the cross country team), she and the senior class pulled the Mustangs to their best sectional performance ever as a team.
Along the way, Vagedes had a hand in lowering all three relay records and individual marks in the 100 and 200 freestyles, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
"As far as our program, her career has inspired a ton of younger girls and junior high girls coming up," Kohne said. "I think even though we'll miss the points she scored and the energy she brought to the team, her and Maya and the other seniors built a legacy behind them that's going to continue moving forward."
You must be registered for see images
2026 Herald-Times All-Area Girls Swimming and Diving Team
Harper Eakin, South, Sr.
H-T Co-Swimmer of the Year won seven career individual and five relay sectional titles out of 16 swims. Only area swimmer to make the state finals, placing 14th in the 500 freestyle in 5:07.06. It was the third time swimming that event in the B Finals at state. Sectional runner-up in the 200 free (1:59.27). Conference Indiana champ in both events to complete an impressive four-year sweep. Also member of 400 free relay that won sectional and finished 22nd at state. Four-time All-Area. Will swim at Ohio.
Maya Gill, Edgewood, Sr.
Area's top performer in the 100 freestyle at sectional with a season best 56.16 for a runner-up finish. Seventh in the 50 free in 26.02. Also member of 200 medley relay that set the school record at 1:55.80 while taking third in the sectional finals and for the 400 free relay that was third at sectional in a school record 3:50.85. Honorable mention last year.
Leighton Huffman, South, Jr.
Took fourth in the 100 backstroke at sectional after posting a career best 1:04.27 in the prelims. Conference Indiana runner-up. Handled back for 200 medley relay that was a CI champ and sectional runner-up. Also placed fifth at sectional in the 100 free (56.82). Honorable mention last year.
Hadley Laughlin, South, So.
Became the first South diver since Lindsey Weigle placed fifth in 2003 to bring home a medal from state, also taking fifth with 423.25. Conference Indiana champ with a 437.90, repeat sectional champ (432.95) and regional runner up by just 1.4 points with a 421.55. Broke school record for six dives with a 315.30. Repeat All-Area.
Ellie Vagedes, Edgewood, Sr.
H-T Co-Swimmer of the Year and the first from Edgewood. Two-time sectional champion, winning the 50 freestyle in a career best 24.44 that missed school record by just .13, and also won the 100 butterfly in a school record 58.22. Went on to place 24th in the 50 free and 28th in the fly in her first trip to state. Also swam for two school record-setting relays, as the 200 medley relay (1:55.80) and the 400 free relay (3:50.85) each took third at sectional. Repeat All-Area. Will swim at IU Indianapolis.
Emily Wang, South, Jr.
A sectional runner-up in the 100 breaststroke in a career best 1:06.88 and also lowered her career best to 2:12.57 to also take second in the 200 individual medley. Conference Indiana champ in both events along with the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Anchored 400 free relay to sectional title and 22nd at state in 3:40.45. Three-time All-Area.
HONORABLE MENTION: Eliza Biltz, South, So. (breast, IM); Mia Bishop, South, Fr. (50 free, fly, medley relay); Lula Brown, South, So. (backstroke); Sara Buehler, North, Sr. (50 free, 100 free; 200 free relay); Paika Buss, South, Jr. (50 free; 200 free relay); Jillian Cowden, Edgewood, Fr. (back, medley relay, 400 free relay); Sakura Forney, South, So. (500 free, 200 IM); Sydney Garretson, North, Sr. (200 free, fly, 200 free relay); Irene Mandell, South, So. (backstroke); Maggie McCormack, Edgewood, So. (breast, medley relay, 400 free relay); Emeleia McLauchlin, South, Jr. (fly); Cece Merkel, South, Jr. (diving); Lucy Miksza, South, Sr. (diving); Brooklyn Vogel, South, Fr. (fly); Leona Wang, South, Sr. (100 free, breast, medley relay, 400 free relay); Campbell Warren, South, Jr. (200 free, 100 free; 200 free relay); Bre Watkins, North, So. (500 free, 200 free; 200 free relay).
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington area 2026 girls swimming all area team
Continue reading...
