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This past Sunday, March 22, four friends had a memorable experience and made a lasting impression on the swim community at the 2026 Indiana Swimming Age Group Short Course Championships hosted at Carmel High School in their new natatorium.
The relay team of Elkins, Beights, Smitley and Dowling dropped 4.43 seconds, getting a time of 1:40.68 to out touch the Carmel Swim Club at the finish, placing first in the 11-12 division in the state of Indiana. What they didn’t realize is that the fast finish placed them 23rd in the nation!
The race can be viewed below by fast-forwarding to 2:22.40. The crowd got behind these four boys from the rural Oak Hill Swim Club in Converse, IN, to beat the Carmel swim program.
The relay team consisted of:
- Lead off, Nolan Elkins - Kokomo, IN
- 2nd Leg, Ellison Beights, Marion, IN
- 3rd Leg, Braxten Smitley, Kokomo, IN
- Anchor, Xavier Dowling, Kokomo, IN
This same weekend, there were some other exciting swims.
12-year-old Xavier Dowling from Kokomo, IN, won the state title for the 100 free, placing him 39th in the nation. He also won the state title for the 50 free, placing him 32nd in the nation for his age group. He made the podium for six out of seven swims and both relays. As a St. Joan of Arc & Patrick student, middle school swim doesn’t exist, so the Oak Hill Swim Club has become his family.
12-year-old Nolan Elkins from Kokomo, IN, received a USA swimming zones cut for his 50 free, reaching a personal best swim of a 25.77, placing ninth in the state. Nolan also made it back to finals to swim the 100 free, placing 13th in the state, dropping 1.92 seconds off his best time. Nolan also swims for Kokomo Middle School.
12-year-old Braxten Smitley from Kokomo, IN, qualified for the finals in 100 free, placing 16th in the state. He also took 15th in the state in the 100 breast. Braxten also swims for Northwestern Middle School.
12-year-old Ellison Beights from Marion, IN, clocked a personal best in the 50 free (25.99), dropping 0.45 seconds in an exciting swim-off. His splits in both relays helped the team to fast finishes. Ellison also swims for Oak Hill Middle School.
The team of four placed fifth in the state in their 200-meter medley relay.
The Oak Hill Swim Club has the commitment, support, and dedication from coaches living all over (Kokomo, Marion, Wabash, Converse, Indiana Wesleyan University) to help kids grow inside and outside the pool. The sportsmanship and hustle from these four underdogs were contagious, and everyone in those stands saw it firsthand.