Given how swimming is such a big part of his life (understandably so) it is interesting that he chose to attend St X when his brother never swam for the school. They had to know the school's position on wanting to deviate from St X's swim team schedule/regime. I disagree with your opinion that St X should have made an exception for him. They have a long history of Olympic caliber swimmers who have come through the program. Why make a change for one kid?
I agree... it was an interesting choice. Perhaps the quality of the academics or the healthy balance of the Jesuit approach to education was the reason. I'm sure they knew the rules regarding swimming but who knows... maybe they thought an exception was possible.
St Xavier swimming is also in the unique position (and I mean that literally... i'm unaware of any other athletic program in Ohio that has such a stranglehold on a single activity) that Carson could attend any other school in the state and it will have NO EFFECT on who wins state this year. It will be St. Xavier with or without him. Most programs (sports, music etc...) will make special exceptions if a true prodigy comes along that could elevate the program to new heights or make them more able to compete for a state championship. Such exceptions fall under the general idea of "changing with the times"... the competitive landscape shifts, programs need to make changes to the way they do things in order to adapt and survive/flourish.
This isn't the case for St. Xavier swimming. Yes, the program is monolithic but, as you correctly point out, its seemingly endless parade of elite/Olympic caliber swimmers allow it to remain so. No need to compromise or bend the rules when your current practices/resources are sufficient to ensure victory year after year.
It definitely will cause a shift in power in the GMC though. Along with freshman Eric Menchhofer, Sycamore now becomes
much stronger than last year and may now be able to wrest the conference title away from Mason. Sycamore will also score much higher in elite-level meets (eg, districts, State) by adding such a threat to win in nearly any stroke/distance plus the boost to relays!