Crown Point exceeded all expectations when their girls swim team took runner-up to powerhouse Carmel High School earlier this year at the IHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving State Championship meet. The Bulldogs broke most of the their own school records, had two state champions, and even broke two state records and a national record. Even though it was the best performance in school history for the Bulldogs, one Sophomore still has not gotten the spotlight she is searching for. Sophomore Mackenzie Artim played a huge role in the part of Crown Point getting the state runner-up title. She had the season of her life, but refuses to believe that it is the best she has to offer. "I believe my sophomore year was a total eye opener for myself and others around me. I had no idea the potential I had to give and still have tucked away. I was just excited to come out of nowhere and get runner up in the 400 free relay freshmen year because we had NO idea that we could do that. And it was just a memory that I will never forget. It was so precious to be able to get a ring as a freshmen. It was unheard of. And being the only freshmen that made it down there, that told me that I had to be some what good then right?" Artim made huge strides this season by making it into the B - Final in her 100 freestyle compared to last year where she did not make it past the preliminaries. "Sophomore year was a completely different from my freshmen year. We didn't know we could do what we did freshmen year. But this past H.S. season we knew we had amazing potential and we wanted state runner up like our bodies want air in our lungs. That's how bad we wanted it. And we did it. It was like a lift off all of our shoulders. Well mine anyway." In the 400 freestyle relay, they gave Carmel a bigger fight than anyone saw coming. Crown Point actually had the lead until Carmel standout Claire Adams jumped into the pool. Carmel broke the national High School record in that relay but so did Crown Point even though they finished second to the Greyhounds. When you are so close to making what could have been the biggest upset in state history and then falling a bit short, well, as the anchor of the relay, it's hard not to blame yourself. "Individually I wasn't really happy. I mean my team says that it's ok that we came second in the 400 free relay but we were in 1st until it got to my leg. I don't know I'm just bummed. But I'm not going to let that get me down." The runner-up title may have surprised the state, but was Crown Point's performance really a surprise to the bulldogs? "We knew we had lots of talent on the team this year so it was expected for us to do well but it never matched the feelings you get when it actually happens so it was like 1/2 and 1/2 and boy it was an amazing feeling" Mackenzie Artim is well known around the state for her height and flipper like feet. It seems to be working in her favor. In fact, so well that her genetics remind us that of a Missy Franklin. "Well I can't really change the way I am. Not that I would. I love the person I have become and I wouldn't change a thing. Of course I'm tall so and I'm lucky about guys being taller than me so all I have to do is go for a basketball player or something. My coach always tells me to use my height to my advantage. To get the upper hand. And to do that I have to take advantage of my turns because that's where they want me to get people. If I attack the turns I'm unstoppable." Artim has been one of Crown Point's elites for a long time now, but she doesn't think she has reached her full potential. Not yet anyways. "Honestly I don't think I've taken off yet. I haven't even had the times that even makes me look like dang, that's fast. It's just been times. Some good and some bad but just times. I'm just practicing hard and kicking butt to push my way through the swarm of obstacles that will allow me to get that holy s*** time. So I really don't think I've taken off yet. Elite yes and I'll do everything for my team but I just haven't taken off yet. But just wait and you'll see me shine soon enough." Mackenzie is now a superstar in the pool back at home but so is little sister. Freshman Kelsi Artim is Crown Point High School's record holder in the 100 breaststroke and trains with older sister Mackenzie day in and day out. "She's my sister so of course I love her, and don't get me wrong she is an AMAZING swimmer. But boy does she know how to get me madder then a hot chili pepper. There were times where I loved having her on my team and other times where I was like well if I punch her in the face maybe THAT will finally shut her up. But honestly she's amazing and I couldn't be more proud of her either. Not all siblings get along. And some like to settle their differences by fighting and other, like the Artim sisters, love to settle it with a sibling rivalry. "We push each other and we brag to one another but we both know that I'm better in the free and back and she is better in the fly and breast I'm not sure how it managed to work out like that but thank god it did." There were a lot of freshman that made a huge impacts on the team. Of course Hannah and Kelsi made the biggest. Years from now, they will be the state's best. Knowing this can only make a person on the same team want to better themselves. "I'm going to get to the next level with worrying about my own times not Kelsi and Hannah. If I have a lane I have a chance and I don't need anyone to tell me otherwise" Mackenzie and Kelsi aren't the only Artim's turning heads. There is a new rising star starting to appear from the fog. Jordan Artim made a big impact for Crown Point at Age Group State. "Jordan did so amazing. She looks up to me and Kelsi and it is adorable. I'm just glad I get to be here and see how she grows as an athlete." The Artim name is slowly taking over Crown Point in the pool. It's a name people will hear more and more for many more years to come. But what's it like back at home for a family with three big time state contenders? "We are just a normal ordinary family no harm no foul. The only thing that is different about us is our food bill where every we go at home or at a restaurant" Mackenzie seems to know what is good for her, that includes taking some time away from the sport. She made the decision not to attend the Indiana Senior State meet with fellow teammates. "I'm going to go to my school play tonight and I'm going to relax. I go to yoga and I meditate and get ready for next season to swim faster and break more records. And I'll be happy." | |
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February 2015
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