MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee swim & dive teams will kick off the 2026 portion of their seasons when they host crosstown opponent MSOE for the MKE Time Trials Friday and Saturday.
 
The meet will be held in the Klotsche Natatorium, with Friday's action beginning at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday's events starting at 10:00 a.m.
 
LAST TIME IN THE POOL
 
The Black & Gold last competed as a team at the House of Champions hosted by IU Indy. At the end of the three-day meet, the men came away with a fifth place finish out of 12 total teams, while the women finished fifth out of 14.
 
Sam Lorenz played a central role in six school-record swims at the House of Champions, headlined by individual program records in the 50 Freestyle (19.68), 100 Backstroke (45.75), and 200 Backstroke (1:43.49). Lorenz also proved instrumental in three relay records, helping set new Panther standards as part of the 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay, and 400 Freestyle Relay squads.
 
Caleb Carlisle also delivered an impressive showing at IU Indy's House of Champions. Competing in a deep field, Carlisle placed sixth in the 50 Freestyle final with a time of 20.48. He continued his strong meet in the butterfly events, earning a third-place finish in the 100 Butterfly finals and an eighth-place finish in the 200 Butterfly finals.
 
For the women, Gabrielle LePine has been a familiar face on the podium throughout the season. At the House of Champions, LePine touched the wall first in the 50 Breaststroke finals and the 100 Breaststroke finals, turning in times of 28.09 and 1:01.05, respectively.
 
Mara Freeman has continued to put together a strong stretch of performances for the Panthers. At her most recent appearance at the House of Champions, the senior earned top-six finishes in three backstroke events, placing fourth in the 50 Backstroke, third in the 100 Backstroke, and sixth in the 200 Backstroke.
 
TOYOTA U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
 
In early December, Lorenz and Carlisle represented the Milwaukee men's team at the Toyota U.S. Open Champions in Austin, Texas. Lorenz qualified for the A-Final of the 50 LCM Backstroke where he took sixth, and Carlisle secured a spot in the B-Final of the 100 LCM Butterfly. LePine also represented the Black & Gold in Austin, Texas, where she competed in the 50 LCM Breaststroke and the 100 LCM Breaststroke.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Panthers will have a week off competition before they welcome Horizon League opponent Green Bay to the Klotsche Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 24. The events will begin at 11:00 a.m.