Plainfield’s Carly Kramer locked in at state

Plainfield North’s Carly Kramer had one thought on her mind diving into the pool for the IHSA state final for the 100-yard butterfly – don’t blow it.

As a junior, Kramer finished fifth after being ranked third after preliminaries. She added one second to her time, leaving a sour taste in her mouth.

This time as a senior, she had higher expectations because she was the top seed. She felt confident after placing first in the Neuqua Valley Sectional, which was one of the best sectionals in the state.

Still, she thought, don’t blow it.

Going into the last 25 yards, Kramer looked to her right to see whether the second-seeded swimmer was ahead of or behind her. After seeing a good distance between her and second place, she kicked gears.

The 54.53-second swim helped Kramer earned IHSA gold in the 100-yard butterfly.

The swim marks the first time Plainfield North has earned a state title, and to add to that, Kramer is the first Joliet-area swimming champion since the 1980s.

She didn’t blow it.

So how does it feel to accomplish all of the things listed above?

“It was crazy, but also an honor,” Kramer said. “It really elevated Plainfield North to the next level. It’s an honor to be a swimmer because a lot of times, starting as a freshman, swimming didn’t get that much recognition and it’s an honor to bring recognition to that sport. A lot of people now will ask, ‘Hey. When’s your next meet?’ At least they know we have a team. Before they didn’t.”

What does it take?

A state-caliber swimmer isn’t just born. Kramer became talented because of her commitment.

Even though she calls Plainfield home, Kramer’s passion for swimming began when she lived in Wisconsin. She started swim lessons at a young age and would see swimmers at the pool every day.

“I told my mom I really wanted to do that and be a part of whatever that was,” she said. “I kind of kicked myself after that because the sport was so hard. Over the years, I progressed more and more. I didn’t really take off until high school. I was mediocre before that.”

Now in high school, she represents the Plainfield co-op team and competes for the Delta Aquatics club based out of Oswego.

Immediately after winning the state title, Kramer started training for club. Her regiment proves she’s not just a natural talent.

After the interview, Kramer got in her car to go to her second three-hour training session of the day.

Two hours of the session are spent swimming. Kramer then trains on land by either running, weight lifting or doing body weight workouts for another hour.

Right after school season, she swims for club until nationals in March. Kramer will have her only two-week break after nationals, but after she gets to breathe for a second, she starts club again, then swims for school immediately after.

Sound tiring yet?

“Sometimes you have to swim five miles, then get out and run two,” Kramer said. “Then you think, ‘I have to come back in five hours and do this again.’ It’s kind of an endless cycle, but that’s what makes it the most rewarding when you accomplish something. It makes it worth it.”

What really matters

In middle school, Kramer played volleyball and competed in track and swimming. Going into high school, however, she was ready to hang up the swimming towel. The other sports had a more team-like feel than swimming, and that appealed to her.

She decided to try out for swimming, however, because she had more experience in that sport, and things changed to her liking.

“Before high school season, swimming is really hard because it’s such an individual sport,” Kramer said. “When you’re younger, you don’t really have relays. It’s all individual. It’s all about you. You’re only doing it for yourself. When you get to high school, it’s all about your team. Not one person matters, your whole team matters. My passion from swimming comes from the teamwork aspect.”

As a freshman, Kramer was exposed to a group of upperclassmen that pushed her to be better, giving her a new passion for the sport.

Her Plainfield teammates and her passion for teamwork played a big part in determining her future.

“I remember when I was a sophomore, we had a very big senior class that year and most signed to D-I programs, or somewhere to swim,” Kramer said. “They said on your trips, you have to look for the team that reminds you the most of us because that will be the most fun that you will have. I’ve heard horror stories about college trips before, and I know that the team at ASU is how my team is here. They’re kind of my family.”

The future

Kramer will attend Arizona State University, one of the best swimming programs in the nation. She will be swimming under first-year coach Bob Bowman.

If Bowman’s name doesn’t sounds familiar, he’s Michael Phelp’s coach and will be the 2016 U.S. Men’s Olympic team’s coach.

Bowman is only one reason why Kramer’s eyes light up when she talks about her future college.

Already, she has group messages with the fellow incoming freshmen and they all follow each other on social media.

ASU is already the close-knit community that she wants to be in.

Plainfield swimming will always be a huge part of her life, however.

“Plainfield swimming has always been there for me. It’s been one of the best experiences,” Kramer said. “The people I’ve met over the years have been awesome. I’m kind of sad, but I wouldn’t have my senior year end any other way. It was really amazing.

“It hurts a little bit less to leave, but I am excited for college. I don’t know how I’m going to beat a state championship in college, but we’ll see.”