FORTVILLE — With the departure of a strong senior class with multiple individual state qualifiers, the Mt. Vernon boys swimming team enters the year in search of a new identity.
The graduation of Brady Gray, Matthew Garey, and Ethan Murphy leaves the Marauders without their top three swimmers from a season ago.
For head coach Brad Grieshop, now, it’s all about focusing on this year’s team.
“I think it’s hard to replace any class like that. We’ve had two really good classes come through in the last three or four years here, but now it’s a new team,” Grieshop said. “Everyone’s character is different and everyone’s contribution is different, so it’s about finding what fits this team best and what our strengths are.”
Gray was a two-time Daily Reporter Hancock County Boys Swimming Athlete of the Year and a four-time state qualifier, Garey had one boys swimming athlete of the year under his belt and was a multi-time state qualifier in the breaststroke, and Murphy made the trip to the IU Natatorium multiple times in his career in the backstroke.
With them gone, the Marauders will turn to juniors Adison Mayes and Eli Webster as the most experienced swimmers. Each is a three-year varsity swimmer and swam on relays with last year’s seniors.
“We’re fortunate that we have Eli and Adison back,” Grieshop said. “It’s the start of their third year now, so having them see what this is like, and how it’s been, you can’t replace that.”
Mayes was a member of two state relay teams with Gray, Garey, and Murphy last season.
In the 200-yard freestyle, the group placed 19th, and in the 400-yard freestyle they placed 20th.
Webster was a member of the first-place 200 free relay team at the Hoosier Heritage Conference Championships along with Mayes.
“That’s the biggest part for us. All of the returning guys got to experience that success,” Grieshop said. “They want to be down at state now, and they’re trying to figure out what that’s going to take. That drive to still compete is there, it’s just a new team.”
Joining them, and expected to be a key piece right away is another person who has been around a successful program — Hamilton Southeastern transfer Daniel Harter.
The Royals placed 20th at last year’s state finals, 12 spots ahead of the Marauders.
“He’s [Harter] going to fill in wonderfully with our team. He’s already pushing the boys, and it’s been a really good mix already,” Grieshop said. “I can’t wait to see what they can do.”
Mt. Vernon also brings in a strong freshman class that Grieshop says will have to step up right away.
“They’re going to have to contribute because we’re low on numbers. More important than ever this year, everyone’s got to fulfill their role,” Grieshop said. “They’ve all got to have the mindset ‘Marauders before me’.”
Mt. Vernon opens the season tonight at 6 p.m. against Richmond.
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2023-24 Mt. Vernon Boys Swimming and Diving Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 21;at Richmond;6 p.m.
Nov. 25;at Connersville;10 a.m.
Nov. 28; at Warren Central;5:30 p.m.
Nov. 30;vs. Delta;5:30 p.m.
Dec. 2;at Pike;10 a.m.
Dec. 5;vs. New Palestine;5:30 p.m.
Dec. 9;at Shelbyville Relays;1 p.m.
Dec. 11;at Greenfield-Central;5:30 p.m.
Jan. 9;vs. Brebeuf/Heritage Christian;6 p.m.
Jan. 13;Hoosier Heritage Conference (New Palestine);9 a.m.
Jan. 16;at Whiteland;6 p.m.
Jan. 18;vs. Pendleton Heights;5:30 p.m.
Jan. 20;at Yorktown/Shelbyville;10 a.m.
Jan. 23;at Lawrence North/Ben Davis;6 p.m.
