Carmel High School, 2001 – 04
As part of four state championship teams, Sparks was an integral part, winning three individual championships and swimming legs on four state championship relays. At the 2002 championships, she won her first gold as a member of Carmel’s 400-yard freestyle relay. She also scored individual points with a third-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley and fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke. She claimed her first individual title in 2003 winning the 100-yard breaststroke and swam the breaststroke leg on Carmel’s winning 200-yard medley relay. That year she also finished third in the 200-yard individual medley. As a senior Erin went four-for-four winning both of her individual events, the 200-yard individual medley and again winning the 100-yard breaststroke. She swam the anchor leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay and teamed up with her sister, Megan, on the championship 200-yard medley relay. Finally, she was honored with the 2004 Mental Attitude Award. Erin continued her swimming career at the University of Alabama where she was team captain and team Most Valuable Performer. She was a Southeastern Conference (SEC) finalist and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years. She was a finalist for the Paul W. Bryant StudentAthlete Award, the top award for student-athletes at the University of Alabama. Her parents are Eric and Valerie Sparks. Her sister, Megan, also swam for Carmel. She also has a brother, Austin Sparks. Erin is an attorney and resides in Nashville, Tennessee.