PNHS is full of great athletes, past and present, and it can be seen throughout the athletic hallway and on the athletic hall of fame. There have been conference MVP’s, conference champions, state qualifiers, and all-state athletes. However, never before has there been a state champion in school history. All of this changed this year as Senior Carly Kramer took home the gold at the IHSA Swimming State meet in the 100 yard butterfly.

        “It is truly an honor to be the first in school history. I really am glad to also put a spotlight on swimming and give them some recognition,” said Kramer over her state title.

        She came into the season with the expectation of winning state after having placed all-state in the two years prior to this season. Her sophomore year she placed eighth, junior year she placed fifth and was the top non-senior during the state meet.

        “Heading into the state meet, I was really calm because it was my final year and I knew no matter what I would make finals. I was completely different heading into finals though. I was freaking out heading into them because I knew I was ranked first,” said Kramer.

        Heading into the season, Kramer trained throughout the year working on her second half of her race which she considered her weakest part. She put in plenty of workouts where she worked on negatively spliting in workouts and putting in the double sessions needed all summer. Once sectionals arrived, she did not take it easy the upcoming week because she knew she would qualify. After qualifying she did taper for the state meet to prepare her body.

        After a week of easy training, she was mentally and physically prepared to race her best for the most important race fo her high school career. She raced the prelims and came into finals with the fastest time. She finished the race in the water and won with a career best of 54.53.

        “The moment I hit the wall I looked at coach first and not the clock. I had a feeling that I had won, but then I saw coach Sam get excited and I knew I had won and looked at the clock. I decided to sit in the pool for a sec and then got my gold medal and got my picture taken and after that I started to cry,” said Kramer.

        The tears were earned as she could finally let all the emotion out and celebrate her victory. Knowing she had won came as a relief to her because of all the stress and pressure she placed on herself. This title has been all she has wanted since last year.

“I honestly need to thank Coach Sam, not just for this season but for instilling a passion into swimming I didn’t have before. Eighth grade I wanted to quit and then I came to North,” said Kramer. “If I didn’t come to Plainfield, I honestly wouldn’t be swimming”.

Her friends were excited to celebrate her victory with her, but her family expected the victory but was still excited for her as they knew the hard work and effort she has put in throughout her career.

Next, she will compete on the club level one final time and has a goal to place in the top 16 for the 100 fly and the top five for the 50 fly.

Once she graduates from North, she will attend and swim for Arizona State University and be coached by the same coach that coaches Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. She hopes to make the NCAA championships by the end of her collegiate career.

“I learned a lot from competing at North. I learned a sense of teamwork especially, because swimming can be really an individual sport, but I learned to make sacrifices for the team,” said Kramer.