This school dominates in football. But its most successful team is often overlooked

Grass roots campaigns are usually associated with politics.

However, they also happen in sports. Southlake Carroll’s swimming program has rightfully earned the “dynasty” label thanks to its own grassroots efforts.

The boys program is looking to add its streak with a mind-boggling eighth consecutive state championship.

The girls program, which has won state titles in 2000 and 2001, might have the ingredients to reach the top of the podium podium if it all breaks right at the Class 6A state meet Feb. 16-17 at the University of Texas in Austin. That program is consistently in the state championship conversation.

This past weekend, both teams decisively won their respective District 5-6A meets. On Feb. 2-3, they will compete in the Region I meet at the Lewisville West Side Aquatics Center.

As head coach Kevin Murphy, 61, completes his 13th season next month and 39th in the sport, he points to two factors for this unparalleled success: his Christian faith and going into middle schools and talking to young people about giving swimming a chance.

Maybe he says all the right things. About nine percent of the district is in some kind of competitive swimming program. That’s about 130 swimmers. When Murphy arrived, there were 45.

Dynasties are not superficial. They last because of substance. This is the most successful program at Carroll. But because it is swimming and well off the radar, you don’t pay attention to it until February.

“What had happened in the 27 years before I came here and what I believe goes on here is a blessing,” Murphy said. “This is a very special place. When we got here, we wanted to look three or four years ahead from where we currently were. That was the fifth graders and eighth graders. It was about building relationships.”

Put that statement into context. When this streak with the boys team started, this group of seniors was in fifth grade. Success begets success.

Murphy and assistants Carolyn Hryorchuk, Lynne Gorman, Paul Wallace and Keith Gomez search and sell these prospects on the discipline the sport presents and how they can excel. A great boys team is comprised of 10-12, but the 22 on the roster are eight seniors, six juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. A great girls team is made up of 18-20.

The other advantage is that Carroll doesn’t have to share its aquatics center with any other school. Swimmers can be in the pool 365 days a year. The program can set its own schedule. Plus, Murphy has worked with area club coaches to devise schedules that benefit the swimmers in both arenas.

Once the freshmen begin, they see what’s in front of them and what it will take to reach that level. The push to train harder becomes a mindset.

Yet these swimmers are going to have to make a choice once they get in the water. Either they are going to strive to get to the top or they will yield and stop. There’s nothing in between.

The proof is several moving on to swim for Division I programs, including Jack LeVant (Stanford) and Logan Davis (Air Force).

“If you’re going to have a nucleus, every swimmer has to strive,” Murphy said. “What makes this area unique is that they invest in the kids to do well. Some kids will look and say, ‘Maybe I can go that fast.’ It’s the seed and it can be nurtured.”

Perhaps there’s a little jealousy involved when Carroll goes through a regular season. Murphy struggles to fill his schedule. When he’s called around looking for dual meets, he’s been told by other coaches that their schedule is full.

The response is to just keep training. The focus at meets is to ensure times are lowered and the starts are safe. If that’s good enough to win, then so be it.

Well, it’s been more than good enough.

“We are there to serve the kids,’’ Murphy said. “I really don’t coach different today than what I did 30 years ago. I just have better material.”

And there doesn’t seem to be any signs of that slowing down.

This story was originally published January 22, 2018 at 1:15 PM with the headline "This school dominates in football. But its most successful team is often overlooked."