It’s certainly an eye-opening quote for a program that has had sustained success.
“We return perhaps our top senior class in the past 15 years.’’
That quote was from Concord High girls swimming coach Tom Johnson, talking about the 2025-26 Minutemen, as they enter the season attempting to win their sixth straight sectional championship.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeading the way for Concord’s senior class is Catie Brenneman, who finished fourth at the state finals in both the 100 and 200 free. It marked the second straight year she was on the podium in both events.
Senior Mya Ernsberger won the 100 butterfly at the sectional last winter and was second in the 100 back. Junior Brynelee Paige Yoder was the sectional champion in the 500 and second in the 200 IM.
Other seniors include Mady Oiler and Gia Sponseller, while juniors returning are Mya Pressler, Xiomara Salinas wna Whitney Sotebeer, while sophomore Brynlee Shay Yorder is also back after a strong freshman season.
Bella Biggers also returns for the Concord after missing last season with an injury.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNewcomers include Audrey Eslinger, Tatiana Emerson, Keylen Mejia Quintero, Sara Yoris Socorro and Antonella Zapata Umbria.
“We don’t have a lot of depth, but provided we continue to work hard and progress, we feel confident about our chances in the conference and the sectional meet,’’ Johnson said. “We also return numerous state qualifiers and athletes who have scored points at state.
“If we can add to our number of swims at the state meet and have our relays move up in place, we have the opportunity to be very successful.’’
Rhonda Blachard is the fourth coach in the Northridge program history, following in the steps of Joe Keller, Kyle Hembree and Seth Cripe, who resigned this year after three seasons at the helm.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I’ve spent many years working with coach Keller and coach Hembree, so I rely on the knowledge I’ve gained from them,’’ Blanchard said. “I am currently focused on our team and I want them to be proud of the work they’re putting in.’’
The Raiders were young last season, but still finished a strong second to Concord at the sectional.
Diver Bella Estep, who qualified for the regional last season, returns along with classmates Cora Gephart, Natalie Mount and Audrey Yeater.
Junior returnees are Sophia Bromley, Malina Domanski, Emma Ritchie and Ava Yeater, while the sophomores are Ceci Bellin, Audrina Eads and Liz Holds. Among the newcomers are Erika Arpin, Madison Houghland and Natalie Weaver.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHolds had a strong freshman year, finishing second in the 200 and 500 free at the sectional. Ava Yeater was second in the 100 butterfly, while Eads, Holds and Audrey Yeater are back from the Raiders’ second place finishing team in the 400 free relay at the sectional.
“In this sport, commitment is a lot and these kids are focused on working together as a team to accomplish our goals,’’ Blanchard said. “I’m the first female coach of this program and with an all-female coaching staff, we hope to bring a unique perspective to our coaching.’’
Among those coaches are 2018 state diving champion Sara Troyer, along with her former diving teammate at Northridge, Mary Grossman. Grossman finished fifth in 2018 behind Troyer at the state finals.
Penn returns several top swimmers that helped coach John VanDriessche’s first Kingsmen team to a seventh place finish at the state meet a year ago.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPenn’s top finisher in Indianapolis was current senior Alayna Riggins, who was second in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 butterfly. Junior Molly Barnes was fourth in the 100 backstroke, while classmate Lauren McGrath was sixth in the 200 IM.
Others returning are seniors Libby Marion, Emmi Richars and Molly VanDriessche, juniors Carolins ball, Sophia Hayes and diver Catalina Martinez-Gil and sophomores Lillia Beer, Maddox McClain and Lauren Arevalo. The coach is also high on freshman Aylin Bilgicer.
“Our goal for this year is to repeat as sectional and Northern Indiana Conference champions and place in the top 10 at the state meet,’’ John VanDriessche said. “We feel we have the ability to compete for multiple individual titles and we are confident our relays will rank among the state’s best.’’
Elkhart coach Michelle Guipe is excited about the upcoming season, as the veteran coach has 15 letterwinners returning.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJocie Tarver returns for her senior year with the Lions after reaching the finals in both the 100 and 200 at the sectional last season, as well as being a member of the 200 and 400 relay team. Ashley Davis also swam for both those relay teams.
In addition, juniors Ariana Garcia and Stella Jones swam for Elkhart’s 400 free and 200 medley relay teams.
Other returning letterwinners are Marin Balyeat, Ava Carlson, Vanessa Lopez, Kate Miller, Camila Quintanar Resendiz, Lupita Salazar, Faith Spear, Blair Tufts, Joanna Vera and Melany Vera Garcia.
Guipe is also high on the potential of newcomers Regina Vera, Emma Kazmierczak and Camryn Tyrakowski.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We are continuing to improve and I’m excited about this season,’’ Guipe said. “The upperclassmen have a vision of the culture they would like to build and that is fueling our discussions about the season and challenging the girls both individually and as a team.
“We have many returning swimmers and a new committed diver who look forward to building on the growth from last year. It is pretty evident in practice that these girls are in a good place to keep moving the program forward and I expect the 25-26 season will be better than last year.
NorthWood coach Brooke Rasler has a strong senior returning in Eden Wiggins, as she attempts to build the Panthers’ program.
Wiggins, who also plays volleyball at NorthWood, finished fourth in the 100 butterfly at the 2025 sectional, while also reaching the finals in the 100 back.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSophomore Eden Mock finished right behind Wiggins in the 100 backstroke, while just missing making the finals in the 200 IM.
Mock leads a strong sophomore group for the Panthers, which includes Clara Boecher, Savannah Sipic and Lila Abel.
“I said this last year and I’ll say it again ... We don’t have a lot of numbers, but the talent is there,’’ Rasler said. “These girls work hard every day and I am excited to see what all they can do this season.’’
Jimtown coach Jill Stork has nine new swimmers this season, as the Jimmies prepare for their season with a program-high 12 girls out for the team.
Carmen Stone, Izzy Kulakowski and Carrie Forrester return for Jimtown and they’re helping Stork teach some of the newcomers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I have nine new girls this year and I’m really excited to watch all of them learn the sport and improve as the season progresses,’’ Stock said. “I do have a couple of new girls that have come with some swimming experience at the local clubs that I am looking forward to continuing to develop and improve their skills.’’
Those two are freshman Brooklyn Johnson and Bella Heintzberger.
“I’ve never had 12 girls on the team before and I am really excited that I’ll be able to have more girls compete in more events at our meets.’’
Goshen coach Laura Rupp has 25 girls out for her team, including nine freshman, as the RedHawks attempt to improve on their 7-8-1 mark and sixth place sectional finish from a year ago.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAmong the top returnees for the RedHawks are diving regional qualifier Renee Welling and senior Lydia Griffith, who swam in the finals in both the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke at the sectional.
Also among the returnees for the RedHawks are seniors Jetcimani Cidd, Angelina Olmedo-Quintos, Valerie Ortega Avila, Saray Ramirez, Katherine Rheinheimer, Ahtziri Salinas and Nancy Sanchez-Perez.
“The girls team has come into the season with a determined attitude and a real eagerness to compete,’’ Rupp said. “They’ve been tackling through some tough practices and it’s already showing in their speed, endurance and overall confidence.
“Our divers are putting in the work too ... really focusing on technique and taking on more challenging dives. This group has a ton of heart and they’re doing a great job building a team atmosphere and supporting each other.’’
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