LaPorte High School Swimming and Diving

AWARDS NIGHT FOR LPHS SWIMMING AND DIVING!!!
Congratulations to all of our student/athletes. The Coaches and I couldn’t be prouder.

MVP: Girls Cali Hatala and Noor Hakim
Boys: Roman Garay

Rookie of the Year: Michelle Clark and Noah Waak

Tonsoni Award: Lizbeth Luna-Zetina and Roman Garay

Weight Room Beast: Isabel Barron and Milo Jimenez

Most Improved: Grace VanHook and Aedan Bailey

Mental Attitude Award: Grace Caviston, Isabella Escobedo and James Quadlin

Spirit Award: Madison Griffin and Malachi Talbot

Special Award: Most Likely to Be Late to Morning Practice: Carson Retseck

Captains: Lizbeth Luna-Zetina, Noor Hakim, Roman Garay, James Quadlin and Milo Jimenez

Boys Swimming Finishes a Strong 4th at Sectionals

The Slicers Boys Swim team finished their season with a strong 4th place finish at the Hobart Sectionals today.
Thirteen schools raced, with Valpo finishing first. Chesterton and Portage finished second and third respectively. It was a close race between Portage, LaPorte and Hobart for third, and Portage nudged the Slicers to fourth with Hobart just behind in fifth.
The Slicers opened the meet with a 4th place finish in the 200 Medley Relay with: Hugo Luna-Zetina (backstroke, James Quadlin (breaststroke), Roman Garay (butterfly), and Carson Retseck (freestyle). Their time of 1:41.15 was a season best time by over two seconds.
In the 200 Freestyle, Vijay Pillai, Hugo Luna-Zetina, and Milo Jimenez finished 11th, 12th and 14th respectively.
In the 200 Individual Medley, James Quadlin finished 6th with a lifetime PR of 2:06.31. Quadlin also finished 7th in the 100 Breaststroke, with another lifetime PR. Every time Quadlin jumped in the pool, relay or individual events , it was another lifetime PR Malachi Talbot was 14th in the 200 IM, and Karter Griffin was 12th in the 100 Breaststroke.
Carson Retseck was 4th in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle (lifetime PR), with Roman Garay finishing 6th in the 100 Free.
Garay finished 4th in the 100 Backstroke, with a very strong swim. Hugo Luna-Zetina and Noah Waak finished 10th and 12th respectively, both with lifetime PRs.
Vijay Pillai finished 10th in the 100 Butterfly with a lifetime PR of 1:00.70. That was probably Vijay's best race of the year. Bryce Kovalcin finished 15th with another lifetime PR.
Milo Jimenez and Malachi Talbot finished 8th and 9th in the 500 Freestyle. Jimenez had a great race on Thursday to secure a trip to the awards podium, and Talbot had the race of a lifetime with a 6 second drop over his previous lifetime PR on Thursday.
The Slicers finished 7th in the 200 Freestyle Relay with: Talbot, Waak, Pillai and Jimenez swimming a season best 1:42.45.
LaPorte finished the meet with a 4th place finish in the 400 Freestyle Relay with: Retseck, Garay, Luna-Zetina and Quadlin going 3:23.06 with another season PR.
This has been an incredibly rewarding season for our team. There have been so many ups and downs with illness and injury. The way these young student/athletes finished their season is to be commended.
Congratulations to ALL of the swimmers and divers who competed this week. The Coaches and I couldn't be prouder.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

Boys Swimming Performs Well and Advances 10 to Saturday Finals

The Slicers traveled to Hobart today for the Sectional prelims. 11 boys swam, and 10 are coming back for finals.
There were a lot of outstanding swims tonight, and everyone deserves kudos for their perseverance and dedication.
LaPorte opened with a 5th place finish in the 200 Medley Relay with: Hugo Luna-Zetina (backstroke), James Quadlin (breaststroke), Roman Garay (butterfly), and Carson Retseck (freestyle).
In the 200 Freestyle, Vijay Pillai, Hugo Luna-Zetina, and Milo Jimenez all made the 'B' final, finishing 11th, 13th and 14th respectively.
In the 200 Individual Medley, James Quadlin finished 6th, heading into the 'A' final. Malachi Talbot finished 15th for a return to the 'B' final. Quadlin also finished 6th in the 100 Breaststroke, with Karter Griffin finishing 12th, and Bryce Kovalcin 17th as first alternate.
In the 50 Freestyle, Carson Retseck finished 2nd with a lifetime PR of 21.97 seconds. Freshmen Noah Waak and Aedan Bailey finished 19th and 22nd. Retseck also finished 2nd in the 100 Freestyle, with Roman Garay 0.06 seconds behind in 3rd.
In the 100 Butterfly, Vijay Pillai and Bryce Kovalcin are returning Saturday with 13th and 14th place finishes. Aedan Bailey finished 20th with a 7 second time drop. Bailey came from football this year, with very little swim experience. He has consistently dropped time all season, and tonight's performance was impressive.
Milo Jimenez had the swim of his life tonight in the 500 Freestyle. Jimenez is a workhorse, who never misses practice. I told him: Don't worry. The taper will work for you. Jimenez dropped 13 seconds in his race to make the 'A' final for the first time in his career! Malachi Talbot also had a lifetime PR, and finished 10th.
The Slicers finished 6th in the 200 Freestyle Relay with: Talbot, Pillai, Waak and Jimenez. All four boys had great splits, with Jimenez getting yet another lifetime PR.
Roman Garay finished 1st in the 100 Backstroke, with a lifetime PR of 53.48 seconds. Hugo Luna-Zetina had a lifetime PR, breaking the minute mark, and finishing 9th. Noah Waak finished 14th, to join Luna-Zetina in the 'B' final.
The Slicers closed out the evening with a second place finish in the 400 Freestyle Relay with: Retseck, Garay, Luna-Zetina and Quadlin. It was a season best swim, and they hope to improve the time during finals on Saturday.
Our Sectional is one of the fastest in the State, and our boys more than held their own.
The Coaches and I can't wait to see what we can do on Saturday.
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

Coaches Barber Shoppe was open for business yesterday. That means one thing.
IT’S SECTIONAL TIME!!!
Go Slicers!!

LP Girls Swimming and Diving Finishes a Strong Third at the Sectional Championship Meet

Sixteen teams from sixteen schools showed up to race this weekend, and the LaPorte Girls Swimming and Dive team swam an amazing meet to finish a strong third!
Chesterton won, with Valpo coming in second. Hobart, Portage and LaPorte fought hard for third, and the Slicers strong finish in Backstroke, Breaststroke, and the 400 Freestyle Relay cemented them in third place for the meet.
LaPorte opened the meet with a third place finish in the 200 Medley Relay with: Cali Hatala (backstroke), Grace Caviston (breaststroke), Noor Hakim (butterfly), and Isabel Barron (freestyle). Their time of 1:54.13 is 2.01 seconds off of the school record. Good news: all 4 girls will return next year for another chance to smash the record.
In the 200 Freestyle, Grace Caviston finished 9th with a huge 4 second time drop from prelims. Freshman Grace VanHook also dropped time to finish in the points at 12th.
Cali Hatala finished 7th in the 200 Individual Medley with another lifetime PR of 2:21.89.
Isabel Barron finished 8th in the 50 Freestyle and a strong 9th in the 100 Freestyle. Grace VanHook and Michelle Clark finished 12th and 14th respectively with lifetime PRs.
Noor Hakim finished 8th in the 100 Butterfly with Madi Griffin and Liz Luna-Zetina finishing 15th and 16th.
Luna-Zetina had another lifetime PR in the 500 Freestyle, to finish 12th in 6:29.14. Sarah Peterson finished 13th in 6:35.54.
LaPorte finished 7th in the 2200 Freestyle Relay with: Grace Vanhook, Michelle Clark, Sarah Peterson and Liz Luna-Zetina having another season PR time of 1:58.87.
Cali Hatala finished 6th in the 100 Backstroke with another lifetime PR of 1:05.00. Freshman Aleah Borkowski finished 15th ini 1:22.06.
Grace Caviston and Noor Hakim finished 6th and 8th in the 100 Breaststroke. Both girls had excellent swims, with Caviston getting yet another lifetime PR.
The girls finished the meet with an amazing 400 Freestyle Relay getting 3rd in a season best time of 3:52.37. The quartet of Barron, Hatala, Caviston and Hakim dropped 8 seconds on Thursday in prelims, and another 5 seconds today in finals. What a way to finish a great season.
The Coaches and I couldn't be prouder of this team. Every student/athlete on this team deserves congratulations. As an aside, I had the honor of being named 2026 Sectional Coach of the year.
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

Sectional Finals Time!
Go Slicers!!!!!

LP Swimming and Diving Advances 10 Girls to Sectional Finals

The taper works. The LaPorte Slicers Swimming and Dive team dropped time across the board and advanced 10 swimmers to Saturday's finals.
The Slicers opened the Sectional Championship meet with a second place finish in the 200 Medley Relay with: Cali Hatala (backstroke), Grace Caviston (breaststroke), Noor Hakim (butterfly), and Isabel Barron (freestyle). Their time of 1:54.80 is 2.68 seconds from tying the school record of 1:52.12. All four girls swam lifetime best relay segments, and are positioned well for a top 3 finish at Saturday's finals.
In the 200 Freestyle, Grace Caviston and Grace VanHook both had lifetime PRs to advance to the 'B' Final on Saturday. They finished 9th and 12 respectively. Sarah Peterson is first alternate at 17th place.
In the 200 Individual Medley, Cali Hatala made the 'A' Championship finals, finishing 7th. Hatala also finished 7th in the 100 Backstroke. Both swims were lifetime bests. Madi Griffin and Aleah Borkowski also had lifetime best swims, finishing 17th and 19th.
Isabel Barron finished 8th in the 50 Freestyle, making the 'A' Final. Barron also finished 9th in the 100 Freestyle.
A BIG Slicer Shoutout to Nala Hammoud, who dropped a whopping 4 seconds in her 50 Freestyle, to finish 22nd. Hammoud also dropped 4 seconds in the 100 Breaststroke, to finish 19th.
Noor Hakim had a lifetime best swim in the 100 Butterfly, to finish 7th and advance to the 'A' Final. Hakim also finished 7th in the 100 Breaststroke, going 1:12.97. Madi Griffin and Liz Luna-Zetina finished 14th and 15th in the 100 Butterfly, both with lifetime PRs.
Grace Caviston finished 5th in the 100 Breaststroke with a blazing fast time of 1:10.65!
Along with Barron's 9th place finish in the 100 Freestyle, Grace VanHook and Michelle Clark also advanced to the 'B' Final finishing 12th and 14th respectively.
Liz Luna-Zetina and Sarah Peterson finished 12th and 13th in the 500 Freestyle. Luna-Zetina dropped 7 seconds with a time of 6:33.39.
The 200 Freestyle Relay of VanHook, Clark, Peterson and Luna-Zetina finished 7th heading into Saturday's 'A' Final.
More Slicer Shoutouts to Aleah Borkowski, who finished 15th in the 100 Backstroke, to make the 'B' Finals as a Freshman.
The Slicers finished the evening with a 3rd place finish in the 400 Freestyle Relay with: Barron, Hatala, Caviston and Hakim, dropping 8 seconds!
We'll have a very light practice tomorrow to stay loose and focused for Saturday's Sectional Finals. It was truly a great evening of Slicer swimming.
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

LP Boys Swimming Tops Wheeler 118-38 in Regular Season Finale

The LaPorte Slicers Boys Swim team hosted the Wheeler Bobcats tonight and came out on top 118-38. Swimming mostly off events, the Slicers won every event, in their regular season finale.
LaPorte opened the meet going 1-2 in the 200 Medley Relay with: Roman Garay (backstroke), James Quadlin (breaststroke), Vijay Pillai (butterfly), and Carson Retseck (freestyle). Coming in second were: Noah Waak, Milo Jimenez, Bryce Kovalcin and Aidan Bailey.
Roman Garay, Milo Jimenez and Aedan Bailey went 1-2-3 in the 200 Freestyle.
James Quadlin, Malachi Talbot and Noah Waak went 1-2-3 in the 200 Individual Medley. Quadlin also won the 100 Freestyle.
Carson Retseck won the 50 Freestyle. Retseck and Garay both swam the 100 Breaststroke for the first time this season and went 1-2.
Bryce Kovalcin, Hugo Luna-Zetina and Aedan Bailey went 1-2-3 in the 100 Butterfly.
Malachi Talbot and Milo Jimenez went 1-2 in the 500 Freestyle.
LaPorte won the 200 Freestyle Relay with: Luna-Zetina, Waak, Pillai and Talbot.
Hugo Luna-Zetina and Noah Waak went 1-2 in the 100 Backstroke.
The Slicers finished the meet with a 1-2 finish in the 400 Freestyle Relay. Winning were: Quadlin, Luna-Zetina, Retseck and Garay. Talbot, Jimenez, Bailey and Kovalcin finished second.
LaPorte finishes the regular season with a 12-7 record.
Tomorrow, we'll start our two week taper heading into Sectionals.
On a final note, today is Senior Co-Captain Milo Jimenez's birthday. Happy birthday Milo!
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

Slicers Swimming Has Their Best Meet of the Season at the DAC Championship Meet, Finishing 6th.

The LaPorte Slicers Boys Swim team traveled to Lake Central High School for the DAC Championship meet. It was our best meet of the season by far, with 29 Personal Best Swims out of 32 Races!
The Slicers opened the meet with a 6th place finish in the 200 Medley Relay with: Hugo Luna-Zetina (backstroke), James Quadlin (breaststroke), Roman Garay (butterfly), and Carson Retseck (freestyle). It was a season best swim for all 4 boys, highlighted by Retseck's 21.84 second freestyle anchor. We were looking for that 21 by Sectionals, and he hit it at DACs, untapered!
The same quartet of boys finished 5th in the 400 Freestyle Relay, with another PR.
Vijay Pillai, Hugo Luna-Zetina, and Milo Jimenez finished 14, 16, 17 respectively in the 200 Freestyle. All 3 had PRs, with Pillai dropping 8 seconds!
James Quadlin finished 10th in the 200 Individual Medley with a lifetime PR of 2:06.97. Malachi Talbot was 18th.
Carson Retseck finished 5th in the 50 Freestyle, dropping .60 seconds for another lifetime PR. Freshmen Noah Waak and Aidan Bailey finished 17th and 19th, also with lifetime PRs.
Pillai and Bailey went 15th and 20th in the 100 Butterfly, again, with lifetime PRs. Bailey dropped an astounding 10 seconds!
In one of the most exciting events of the day, Carson Retseck and Roman Garay finished 5th and 6th respectively. Both had lifetime best swims, with Retseck out-touching Garay by 0.01 seconds! (49.11 and 49.12 seconds respectively).
Milo Jimenez finished 14th in the 500 Freestyle with another PR. Malachi Talbot finished 16th.
The 200 Freestyle Relay of Pillai, Waak, Jimenez, and Talbot finished 6th with a second best time of 1:42.80.
Roman Garay had another "Swim of his life" in the 100 Backstroke, going 53.64 seconds, to finish 3rd! Hugo Luna-Zetina and Noah Waak also had lifetime PRs, finishing 14th and 16th respectively.
James Quadlin had another great swim to finish the individual races, going 1:05.39 in the 100 Breaststroke (lifetime PR).
Bryce Kovalcin, dropped 5 seconds in the 100 Breast to finish 17th.
Once our boys are tapered and shaved for Sectionals, it should be quite the show.
The Slicers host Wheeler High School on Wednesday for their last regular meet of the season heading into taper.
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

Boys Swimming Beats Knox 98-44 as Roman Garay Shatters their Pool Record for the 100 Backstroke

The Slicers traveled to Knox tonight on a last minute change of venue. Originally scheduled to be at LP, the meet was changed to Knox at the last minute to accommodate their Senior Night.
LaPorte finished on top 98-44, winning every event except the 50 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly.
The Slicers opened the meet with a win in the 200 Medley Relay with: Hugo Luna-Zetina (backstroke), James Quadlin (breaststroke), Roman Garay (butterfly), and Carson Retseck (freestyle).
After a heel strike during a flip turn, Retseck, a sprint freestyle specialist, was scratched from the remainder of the meet.
Vijay Pillai, Milo Jimenez, and Hugo Luna-Zetina went 1-2-3 in the 200 Freestyle.
James Quadlin and Malachi Talbot went 1-2 in the 200 Individual Medley. Quadlin also won the 100 Breaststroke, with Bryce Kovalcin coming in second.
Malachi Talbot and Milo Jimenez went 1-2 in the 500 Freestyle, with a photo finish.
LP won the 200 Freestyle Relay with: Vijay Pillai, Noah Waak, Malachi Talbot, and Milo Jimenez.
Roman Garay won the 100 Backstroke, while shattering the Knox High School pool record. Garay swam 55.11 seconds, beating former LaPorte standout, Ben Klimczak's old record of 56.39 seconds by 1.28 seconds! Garay also cruised to victory in the 100 Freestyle.
The Slicers finished the meet with a win in the 400 Freestyle Relay with: Jimenez, Garay, Luna-Zetina, and Quadlin.
Their record climbs to 11-7, as they head to the DAC Championship meet on Saturday, at Lake Central High School.
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim

LP Girls Swimming and Diving Beats New Prairie 96-80

In a very competitive meet, the LaPorte Slicers Girls Swimming and Dive team beat the New Prairie Cougars 96-80.
The Slicers opened up the meet with a win in the 200 Medley Relay with: Cali Hatala (backstroke), Grace Caviston (breaststroke), Noor Hakim (butterfly), and Isabel Barron (Freestyle).
Grace Caviston and Grace VanHook went 1-2 in the 200 Freestyle. Caviston also won the 100 Breaststroke. VanHook dropped 2 seconds for a lifetime PR.
Cali Hatala won both the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Backstroke.
Isabel Barron won both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle events.
Michelle Clark won diving.
Noor Hakim, Michelle Clark and Liz Luna went 1-23 in the 100 Butterfly, with Clark's second place marking a lifetime PR.
The girls finished the meet with a big win in the 400 Freestyle Relay with: Isabel Barron, Cali Hatala, Grace Caviston and Noor Hakim.
A BIG Slicers shoutout to Liz Luna for her lifetime PR in the 500 Freestyle. As a Senior, this was Liz's last home meet as a Slicer.
The Slicers finished their regular season with a 14-7 record. The next step is starting the taper for Sectionals.
Always proud.
Go Slicers!
Coach Brahim