The La Grange High School swim team made waves at the District 14-4A swim meet on January 24, 2025, competing against strong programs from Davenport, Wimberley, Comal Canyon Lake, Columbus, and Travis. Despite the odds, La Grange held its own, earning a commendable 4th-place finish overall. The meet highlighted the challenges smaller teams face, such as traveling for practice and limited access to local pools, but the Leopards rose to the occasion, showcasing their talent and determination. Seniors honored at District Meet At the conclusion of the district swim meet, the LHS swim team celebrated its eight graduating seniors, each of whom has left a lasting impact on the program. Celeine Fabre will be remembered for her unwavering passion and strong leadership, which set the tone for the team throughout the season. Laney Herdler brought unmatched dedication and a contagious joy to every practice and meet, lifting the spirits of her teammates. John Kaspar demonstrated remarkable leadership and perseverance, inspiring others to push through challenges and achieve their best. Jodi Kaspar will always be known for her kindness and steadfast dedication, both in and out of the water. Dalton Landis exemplified selflessness, consistently putting the needs of his team before his own.  Quinlyn Landis impressed everyone with her sense of responsibility.  Hunter Sabo was admired for his determination and heart, which motivated his teammates and helped lead the team to success. Madeline Willrich stood out for her grit and fierce determination to succeed, never backing down from a challenge. Coach Ledwik shared heartfelt reflections: “This senior class has been the backbone of our team. Their unique contributions, leadership, and camaraderie, have set an example to inspire future swimmers for years.”  As the seniors prepare to embark on the next chapters of their lives, their legacy will remain an integral part of the LHS swim team. Record-Breaking Performances Two school records were shattered during the meet, reflecting the Leopards’ hard work and dedication: Freshman Adysen Janacek broke the 100-yard Freestyle record with a time of 1:01.93, surpassing the previous record by 1.34 seconds. The Girls 400-yard Freestyle Relay team, consisting of Celeine Fabre, Madeline Willrich, Eleanor Carey, and Adysen Janacek, set a new record of 4:23.20. This marks the third time this relay team has broken the record this season. Adysen Janacek: A Rising Star Freshman Adysen Janacek has emerged as one of the brightest stars on the La Grange swim team, rewriting the school’s record books in her first season. In addition to her recent record-breaking performance in the 100-yard Freestyle, Adysen already holds individual school records in the 200-yard Freestyle and the 200-yard Individual Medley (IM). Reflecting on Adysen’s impact on the team, senior Celeine Fabre said, "Adysen is such a great swimmer and a great person. I would not want anybody else to be on the swim team. She is so sweet, kind, caring, and has the kindest heart. She gives you the best words of motivation and courage you could ever want to hear from somebody, which makes her an amazing overall person." Teammate Madeline Willrich added “Adysen does a great job of encouraging our relay and she always gives it 100%.” When asked about her accomplishments, Adysen didn’t take credit for her success but stated I have a lot of influence from the senior captains and senior teammates, Adysen shared, "John Kaspar, Madeline Willrich, Celeine Fabre and Laney Herdler have pushed me to do my best in practice, but also in meets. They have reminded me that I can do so much more with a positive mindset. Practice with them is not only serious but fun. This year I have had such a great relationship with them and have had so many laughs. They for sure made my freshman year of swim one for the books. I will truly miss all the laughs and fun we have had together, but can’t wait to see where they go in life," and  "Coach Ledwik has made me a better swimmer in so many ways. Her loving and caring approach inspires us to believe in ourselves while challenging us to push harder, dig deeper, and give it our all. She knows how to bring out the best in each of us, and I’m so grateful for everything she’s done for our team." Top Individual and Relay Performances The Leopards are advancing nine individual swimmers and all six relays to the regional meet. ? Girl’s 200-Yard Medley Relay: 3rd place, Celeine Fabre, Adysen Janacek, Hope Michalke, and Eleanor Carey. ? Boy’s 200-Yard Medley Relay: 3rd place,  Rogan Mihatsch, Gavin Cook, Hunter Sabo, and John Kaspar. ? Girl’s 50-Yard Freestyle: 2nd place, Eleanor Carey ? Girl’s 50-Yard Freestyle: 4th place, Paige Michalke ? Girl’s 100-Yard Butterfly: 3rd place, Hope Michalke ? Girl’s 100-Yard Butterfly:4th place, Elena Supak ? Girl’s 100-Yard Freestyle: 3rd place, Adysen Janacek ? Girl’s 100-Yard Freestyle: 4th place, Celeine Fabre ? Boy’s 100-Yard Freestyle: 4th place, John Kaspar ? Girl’s 200-Yard Freestyle Relay: 3rd place, Adysen Janacek, Celeine Fabre, Paige Miachalke, and Eleanor Carey ? Boy’s 200-Yard Freestyle Relay: 3rd place: Gavin Cook, Rogan Mihatsch, John Kaspar, and Hunter Sabo. ? Girl’s 100-Yard Backstroke: 4th place, Laney Herdler ? Boy’s 100-Yard Breaststroke: 4th place, Gavin Cook ? Girl’s 400-Yard Freestyle Relay: 3rd place, Eleanor Carey, Madeline Willrich, Celeine Fabre, and Adysen Janacek ? Boy’s 400-Yard Freestyle Relay: 3rd place, John Kaspar, Rogan Mihatsch, Hunter Sabo, and Gavin Cook. Other top 8 places: ? Girl’s 200-Yard Freestyle: Clara Bundick 5th, Lillian Carey 8th ? Boy’s 200-Yard Freestyle: Haygen Mings 6th ? Girl’s 200-Yard IM: Quinlyn Landis 5th ? Boy’s 200-Yard IM: Dalton Landis 5th ? Girl’s 50-Yard Freestyle: Hope Michalke 5th, Madeline Willrich 6th ? Boy’s 50-Yard Freestyle: Hunter Sabo 6th ? Girls 500-Yard Freestyle: Laney Herdler 5th ? Girl’s 100-Yard Backstroke: Clara Bundick 5th, Lillian Carey 7th and Mattie Muzny 8th ? Boy’s 100-Yard Backstroke: Braxton Landis 5th ? Girl’s 100-Yard Breaststroke: Paige Michalke 5th, Elena Supak 7th, Kynzee Swafford 8th ? Boy’s 100-Yard Breaststroke: Dalton Landis 7th The Toll of a Two-Day Meet As the team prepares for the two-day regional meet on January 31 and February 1, they are mindful of the physical and mental challenges ahead. The meet, which involves back-to-back preliminaries and finals, places intense demands on swimmers’ stamina and recovery. Competing in multiple events over two days tests their endurance, strength, and focus, leaving little time for rest between races. "Regionals is one of the toughest meets of the year," said Coach Ledwik. "Our swimmers need to balance speed with recovery and keep their mental focus sharp despite fatigue. It’s a true test of their resilience and dedication." Looking Ahead With record-breaking momentum and a team-oriented mindset, the Leopards are set for success at regionals. The team hopes to secure spots at the state meet in San Antonio on February 13-14. "This team has heart, and they’ve already accomplished so much this season," said CoachLedwik. "They’ve created a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. Not only have they excelled in the pool, but they’ve also brought community awareness to the sport of swimming, inspiring pride and excitement throughout La Grange. We’re looking forward to seeing what they can do next." Go Leps!