The Oldenburg Academy ladies swim team made a splash at the IHSAA Sectional Finals on Saturday, February 8, hosted by Columbus North High School. Competing in one of the top 5 strongest swim sectionals in the state of Indiana, the team, representing a 1A school and practicing at their local YMCA, proved they can swim with the best.
Freshman phenom Alejandra Schutte stole the show, qualifying for the A Finals in both her individual events and securing podium finishes for Oldenburg for the first time since 2016. Schutte placed 8th in the 200 IM and 3rd in the 100 breaststroke with an impressive time of 1:11.67, marking the highest individual placing for Oldenburg Academy since 2012.
The 200 Medley Relay team also earned a podium finish for OA, placing 8th. The team, made up of Alejandra Schutte (backstroke), Avery Austin (breaststroke), Caroline Niese (butterfly), and Ella Maxwell (freestyle), posted a season-best time of 2:07.27.
Seniors Ella Maxwell and Caroline Niese also made significant contributions to OA’s success. Maxwell qualified for the consolation round in both the 200m freestyle (13th) and 100m freestyle (10th), while Niese placed 16th in the 100m butterfly. The 200m freestyle relay of Alejandra Schutte, Avery Austin, Caroline Niese, and Ella Maxwell placed 10th.
With a total of 75 points, Oldenburg Academy finished 11th overall in the sectional.