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North's Muthukumaran repeats as The Republic Girls Swimmer of the Year
Columbus North junior Mridula Muthukumaran continues to excel in the pool, qualifying for state in the 200-yard individual medley.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:20am
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Mridula Muthukumaran, a junior at Columbus North High School, has been named The Republic Girls Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year. Muthukumaran qualified for the state meet in the 200-yard individual medley, the lone swimmer from the area to do so. She has been swimming competitively since the age of 6 and has focused solely on the sport throughout high school, dropping other sports she had played. Muthukumaran is looking to improve her times in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly events for next season, with the goal of making the state finals.
Why it matters
Mridula Muthukumaran's repeat as The Republic Girls Swimmer of the Year highlights her continued excellence and dedication to the sport of swimming. As one of the top swimmers in the Columbus, Indiana area, her success inspires other young athletes and demonstrates the rewards of hard work and commitment to a single sport.
The details
Muthukumaran, who was born in Oregon and has lived in Canada and India, began swimming competitively at age 6 for the Donner Swim Club. She has focused solely on swimming throughout high school, dropping other sports she had played. Last year as a sophomore, Muthukumaran swam in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly events, and this year she qualified for the state meet in the 200 IM. While she did not make it out of the prelims, Muthukumaran is proud of her season and knows what she needs to work on, such as improving her breaststroke for the IM and being more aggressive in the butterfly. Muthukumaran is considering continuing to swim in college, but only if it fits with her academic plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
- Muthukumaran swam in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly events last year as a sophomore.
- This year, Muthukumaran qualified for the state meet in the 200 IM.
The players
Mridula Muthukumaran
A junior at Columbus North High School who has been named The Republic Girls Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Mike Cunningham
The head coach of the Columbus North swim team, who praised Muthukumaran's work ethic and dedication.
What they’re saying
“Knowing what I swam last year, I think I had a better understanding of what I had to do going into sectional and kind of had a better focus on my events because I swam them a year before.”
— Mridula Muthukumaran, Columbus North Junior
“Mridula's work ethic and dedication is what makes her successful. She does not make excuses and finds a way to push and make herself better than the day before.”
— Mike Cunningham, Columbus North Coach
What’s next
Muthukumaran will look to improve her times in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly events for next season, with the goal of making the state finals and potentially breaking the school records in those events.
The takeaway
Mridula Muthukumaran's repeat as The Republic Girls Swimmer of the Year demonstrates her continued dedication and success in the pool. Her story inspires other young athletes to pursue their passions and work hard to achieve their goals.
