Chesterton HS swim teams distinguish themselves at IHSAA state finals
CHESTERTON, Ind. — At the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) finals in Indianapolis, the Trojans Boys Team finished 4th in the state. Seniors Alejandro Kincaid and Gabe Eschbach led the team in medals, and both will continue swimming in college; Kincaid at Indiana University and Eschbach is looking at Purdue, Louisville, and Portland. Juniors Scottie Pejic, Aidan Tharp, and Gavin Nagdeman delivered outstanding performance, and Coach Pavlovich looks forward to what they’ll do next year as seniors. Pavlovich said, “I’m really proud of all of our young men. We did great at the state finals, and it was a great way to finish the year.”
The Trojans girls team also distinguished themselves at the state finals, with Senior Veronika Ozimek winning three medals. Like her male counterparts, Veronika will continue to swim in college. She has signed a letter of intent with the University of Wyoming. Her participation in the state finals was in jeopardy due to a shoulder injury last October, but she worked hard and performed well–earning the only team medals. Mat Pavlovich said, “Veronika had a breakthrough season as a junior and was the anchor leg of our 200 Medley Relay that broke the school record. As a senior, she experienced some injuries in the early part of our fall training that lingered until about the midway point. For her, to medal (top 8) in both the 50 & 100 freestyle at the ultra competitive State of Indiana meet shows the passion & commitment this student-athlete has for her sport. Her 50 freestyle time was her life-best and she has a lot to be proud of in her high school career as a whole.”
The talented athletes on the Chesterton High School Boys and Girls swim teams didn’t get there by themselves. Trojan swimmers started years before when dedicated parents introduced their young children—often as toddlers—to swimming. Some had their first lessons in family pools or the lake, taught by anxious parents whose primary concern was their child’s water safety. Others got formal instruction at summer camps, at the Y, or other pool facilities. For kids who showed natural talent and earned places on school or community swim teams, parents got them to early practices and cheered them on at their various swim meets. Along the way, coaches encouraged the young athletes and continued instructing them. The combined years-long efforts of the student, parent, and coaches paid off when the teenage athlete earned a place on the Trojans Swim Teams.
Chesterton High School Swim Coach Mat Pavlovich said, “While we have Boys and Girls teams, our swimmers are one big family. They support each other, celebrate when they win, commiserate when they lose, and share a firm resolve to do better next time. We are also blessed with an incredible group of parents who are our biggest fans, along with our student body, teachers, and members of the community.”—Barbara Voris Eastman
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