Swimming has been a part of almost the entire life of Sam Russell, so it only seems fitting that he is headed to the U.S. Naval Academy this fall.
Russell has been part of a turnaround in Columbus North’s boys swimming program the past four years. This year, the senior led the Bull Frogs to Conference Indiana and sectional titles and is The Republic Boys Swimmer of the Year for the second time.
“I was really happy with the way that things turned out,” Russell said. “I don’t think the result that happened in the end could have happened without the whole team being right there supporting me and everyone really believing in themselves because I think this year, a big thing was, the team attitude changed.”
Russell’s attitude was developed his freshman year. That year, he finished second in the sectional in the 500-yard freestyle was an alternate on North’s state-qualifying 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams.
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“I was able to sit back and watch Chase (McQueen) and Jared Imlay and Angel (Torres Martinez) when I was a freshman, so looking up to those guys was something that really impacted me,” Russell said. “Taking that into my next three years, I really tried to lead like them. I really looked up to them a lot, and each one of those guys had a really big impact on my life.”
Russell’s breakout year came as a sophomore. He was a state qualifier in the 200 individual medley and swam on state-qualifying 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams and earned The Republic Boys Swimmer of the Year honors.
Last year, Russell made it back to state in the 200 IM, as well as the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays. He made it back to the final day of the Boys Swimming State Finals for the first time when North finished 15th in the 200 freestyle relay.
This year, Russell qualified for state in all four of his events and made it to the final day in all four.
“A lot of that comes with an age difference,” Russell said. “There’s obviously muscle growth and stuff like that, but I think a big part of it really has to go with a team attitude change and all the guys being super supportive of each other. As one of the seniors on the team, I had to take responsibility, along with the other three, and we just decided this was our last one, and we really want to make it fun for all the rest of the guys, so let’s just go at it and give it our all every single day in practice.”
At state, Russell swam on the eighth-place 200 freestyle relay and 12th-place 200 medley relay teams. He also took 15th in the 200 IM, his best finish in three state appearances in that event.
In the final race of his high school career, Russell placed 14th at state in the 100 breaststroke in a personal-best 58.14 seconds.
“He had a very good year,” North coach Logan Schaefer said. “Right from the start, when we got into the pool, he had his mind set on some of the goals he wanted to accomplish this year and was really diligent about the work he needed to do to get to that point. I think the consistency in his effort and attitude toward his team was the biggest thing that helped him contribute to those great performances at sectional and high school state.”
Schaefer praised Russell’s leadership this season.
“He takes a lot of pride in being someone the team can look toward in a practice setting, in a meet setting,” Schaefer said. “He’s also very humble in that role, as well. He understands that it takes a lot of work. He has to earn the respect of his teammates to be effective as a leader, and he did a great job of that this year.”
Whether Russell’s swimming career will continue has yet to be decided. He has spoken with the coaches at Navy about possibly swimming for the Midshipmen.
Naval Academy students are required to participate in a sport is required. So if Russell doesn’t swim, he could join the rowing, water polo or triathlon team.
“It’s sort of funny because I didn’t have a really strong interest in applying (to Navy) or even looking into it until maybe my junior year,” Russell said. “I had a couple buddies that were applying to the academies, and I looked into it. I have a fond for serving, and I really honor all the veterans and all the people that are active duty right now, so not only incorporating that portion, but really strong academics.”
Russell has a 3.96 GPA and is a National Honor Society member. He also has been a part of North’s Student Assembly, Student Athletic Board and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“It’s been a lot of fun, and I really do owe it to all the guys that have been in my life,” Russell said. “A major impact were all those guys (in swimming) my freshman year — Ben Thompson, Chase McQueen, Jared Imlay and all the other seniors — because they just set a whole precedent for me, not only for swimming, but academics and just life in general.”
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The Republic All-Area Boys Swimming and Diving team:
Sam Russell, Columbus North: The senior finished 14th in the 100 breaststroke and 15th in the 200 individual medley and swam on the eighth-place 200 freestyle relay and 12th-place 200 medley relay teams at state.
Christoper Lee, Columbus North: The sophomore finished 26th in the 100 backstroke and 30th in the 50 freestyle and swam on the eighth-place 200 freestyle relay and 12th-place 200 medley relay teams at state.
Nick Green, Columbus North: The junior was a sectional champion and finished 25th in the 500 freestyle at state.
Jared Carroll, Columbus North: The senior swam on the eighth-place 200 freestyle relay and 12th-place 200 medley relay teams at state.
Rafael Spear, Columbus North: The senior swam on the eighth-place 200 freestyle relay and 12th-place 200 medley relay teams at state.
Paxton Rush, Columbus North: The senior finished third in the 200 individual medley and fifth in the 100 backstroke in the sectional.
Aiden McAlister, Columbus North: The sophomore finished third in the 500 freestyle in the sectional.
DJ Rhodes, Columbus East: The senior finished fourth in the sectional and 13th in the regional in diving.
Ryan Singer, Columbus East: The senior finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 200 IM in the sectional.
Peyton Moore, Jennings County: The senior finished third in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 butterfly in the Floyd Central Sectional.
Trey Hundley, Jennings County: The senior finished third in the 200 IM and fifth in the 100 freestyle in the Floyd Central Sectional.
Honorable mention
Columbus East: Zach Statler. Columbus North: Tristen Cook, David Fry, Kyan Jiles, Ayush Panda, Carlos Torres Martinez, Cole Wheeler.
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