News Summary

Carmel, Indiana, celebrates local swimmer Alex Shackell for being named MaxPreps 2024-25 Female Athlete of the Year. The 18-year-old Olympic medalist made history, becoming only the second Indiana girl to earn Olympic medals while in high school. With immense success in her swimming career, Shackell has a bright future ahead as she prepares to swim for Indiana University.

Carmel Celebrates Alex Shackell: MaxPreps 2024-25 Female Athlete of the Year!

In a charming corner of Indiana, the city of Carmel is buzzing with excitement as local hero, Alex Shackell, has been recognized as the MaxPreps 2024-25 Female Athlete of the Year. This 18-year-old swimming sensation has made waves, and not just in the water, as she recently graduated from Carmel High School in May 2025.

From High School to Olympic Stardom

A remarkable athlete, Shackell qualified for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics before even stepping into her senior year. Talk about being ahead of the game! At the Olympics, she didn’t hold back. Shackell clinched a stunning gold medal during the morning preliminaries of the 400 medley relay and snagged a silver medal in the preliminaries of the 800 free relay. While she finished sixth in the final of the 200 butterfly event, her accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary.

What’s even more exciting? Shackell is the second Indiana girl ever to take home medals at the Olympics while still in high school. She’s not just making a splash; she’s creating a legacy!

Carmel High School Achievements

During her stellar run at Carmel High School, Shackell played a pivotal role in helping the Greyhounds achieve their impressive 39th consecutive state title in girls swimming. With four state titles in her final season, she’s now boasting a whopping total of 15 career state titles. Her consistency in the pool is remarkable – she won the state title in the girls 100 butterfly each year she competed, along with securing eight relay titles. As a senior, she also dominated the pool with three relay titles and individual wins in the 100 back as a junior and the 50 free as a sophomore.

Diving into College Swimming

Shackell’s next big adventure will be at Indiana University, where she plans to start swimming in the spring of 2026. The decision to stay close to home seems right as she wants to continue her impressive swimming journey where it all began. Her family, deeply entrenched in swimming, adds a layer of pride as both her parents were All-Americans at Auburn University. Her father, Nick Shackell, even made waves as a 1996 Olympian for Great Britain!

Not just a swimmer, Shackell’s family structure is built on talent – she has a twin brother, Andrew, and another brother, Aaron, who is also an Olympian. It appears that swimming is a family affair for the Shackells!

Making History with MaxPreps

A significant honor, the MaxPreps Female Athlete of the Year award has been presented annually since the 2007-08 school year. Alex Shackell’s recognition marks a notable point in history: she is the first swimmer to win this prestigious award since the legendary Missy Franklin did so consecutively from 2011 to 2013. Shackell can proudly take her place beside other exceptional athletes who made finals for this award, which included stars from various sports and states, proving just how competitive this honor truly is.

As Carmel rallies around Alex Shackell, it’s clear that this young swimmer has not only raised the bar for herself but has also set a shining example for future generations of athletes. With a solid list of accolades and a bright future ahead, we can’t wait to see what waters she will conquer next!

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