The Chesterton boys Swim and Dive team competed in the sectional meet on February 19. The athletes had endured a great amount of preparation which resulted in an outstanding performance. 

“The team prepared by just staying focused on the task at hand mentally, but physically staying loose and ready to race,” junior freestyle swimmer Daniel Streeter explains. 

The team experienced success in each event they competed in. Juniors Aiden Tharp, Scottie Pejic, and Gavin Nagdamn as well as senior Alejandro Kincaid placed first in the 200-yard medley relay. Senior Gabe Eschbach placed first in the 200-yard freestyle, with Tharp and Cormac Fallon behind him in second and third place. Later, freshman Amadeo Kincaid placed second in the 200-yard individual medley. Al. Kincaid placed first in the 100-yard butterfly, Tharp placed first in the 100-yard freestyle, and Pejic, Streeter, Eschbach, and Luke Wheele placed first in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Junior Colin Kostbade placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke which seemed to make a significant impact on the team.

“The 100 breaststroke was a big event for us. Valparaiso thought for sure they would win it and it was the only ‘guaranteed’ event for them. I ended up winning it,” Kostbade says. 

The success carries on throughout the meet with Chesterton placing first in three other events placing first overall in the entire competition by a large margin. Chesterton surpassed the second-place team, Valparaiso by 109 points thus taking on the Sectional title for the 24th year in a row and qualifying seven athletes in the State meet.

Al. Kincade, Tharp, Pejic, Nagdeman, Eschbach, Streeter, and Kostbade competed in the IHSAA State finals on February 25 and 26 at the IU Natatorium on IUPUI’s campus in Indianapolis. 

The 200-yard medley relay consists of Al. Kincaid, Tharp, Pejic, and Nagdamn, placed 3rd in the finals after winning their heat on Friday night. Eschbach swam the 500-yard freestyle, reached his best time in the event, and placed 4th in the competition. Kincade placed second in the 100-yard backstroke behind , and the relay team took third place in the 400-yard freestyle relay race.  The team placed fourth overall in the state finals officially concluding their postseason. 

“The conclusion of the season is bittersweet because it means the senior’s last meet and the end of some of their swimming careers. At the same time it’s relieving to be done with all of the stress of the postseason and start focusing on next season,” Streeter adds. 

The CHS swim seniors will go on to begin a new chapter of their lives while the rest of the team will continue their hard work in the 2022/23 season.