2024-25 All-GPC girls swim team

Graphic Printing Company Girls Swimmer of the Year: Eleanor Groves, Delta High School junior

Eleanor Groves was selected as the inaugural Graphic Printing Company Girls Swimmer of the Year.

“I appreciate any recognition,” said Groves, who made her third consecutive state appearance in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. “I did a lot of weightlifting over the summer and it made me get a lot stronger. And I think having a different mindset going into the races has really helped me because I’ve been a more positive person.”

She went on to finish 34th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.74 seconds and 28th in the 100 freestyle in 54.29 seconds.

Her season also included the best times of her career in both events helping the Eagles to a second-place finish in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.

“I’m still proud of myself for swimming really good at conference and getting the 23.4 and the 51.8,” Groves said. “I wish it had come at a better time, but I’m still glad I made some time drops.”

Her swims broke the HHC and Delta school records in both events, finishing the 50 freestyle in 23.41 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 51.86 seconds. 

Groves also participated in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams that made it to state, the latter of which climbed five places from its seed for a 27th-place finish.

“We wouldn’t have a lot of these relays and stuff without her,” said DHS co-head coach Alison Jackson, with coach Laura Seibold-Caudill seconding the sentiment. “She brings that speed to the team and makes them all want to work a little bit harder. When she works with everyone else, it makes her want to work harder too.”

All-Graphic Printing Company first team

Grier Backus, Delta junior: Backus finished as the top diver in the GPC’s coverage area, earning her third straight sectional title before placing 10th at the regional. 

Joelle Kaup, Fort Recovery senior: Kaup was the only Indian to reach the district meet, swimming a 25.84-second 50-yard freestyle and finishing the 100 backstroke in 1:04.36.

Alivia Jackson, Delta sophomore: The younger Jackson sister qualified for the state tournament in four events and combined with the following selections to set Delta’s 400-yard freestyle relay record at 3:44.18.

Annie Jackson, Delta senior: The elder Jackson sister punched her ticket to state in the 100-yard butterfly for the fourth straight year. She also advanced in the 200 IM and 200 medley and the 400 freestyle relays.

Lora Warrner, Delta junior: Warrner found a specialty in the 100-yard backstroke, setting the Eagles’ school record at the sectional and improving it to 1 minute, 00.49 seconds at state.

Honorable mention:

Jordan Bunch, junior, Delta

Brooklynn Byrum, freshman, Jay County

Aubrey Millspaugh, senior, Jay County

Shiloh Bunch, freshman, Delta