MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee swim & dive teams are set to compete in the Horizon League Championships held in Indianapolis, Ind., in the IU Natatorium Wednesday through Saturday. The four-day affair will kick off with the women's 3-meter dive preliminary round at 12:00 p.m.
 
LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIPS
 
A season ago, the Panther women finished second out of six teams at the Horizon League Championships, receiving 655 points, while the men turned in their best finish since the 2015-16 season, ending fourth with 414 points.
 
The women were led by Gabrielle LePine who took home the crown in the 100 breaststroke with her 1:01.01 effort. She also recorded top-10 finishes in the finals of the 50 freestyle and 200 breaststroke.
 
The Black & Gold also finished on top of the podium in the 200 freestyle and 400 medley relays. The 200 freestyle relay squad was made up of LePine, Carly Plate, Christiana Brooks, and Janelle Schulz, while the 400 medley relay team consisted of Mara Freeman, LePine, Maddi Hayashi, and Schulz.
 
Head coach Kyle Clements earned his sixth Women's Swimming Coach of the Year award in his Panther career.
 
For the men, last year's championships were highlighted by Gunnar Seversen who secured Newcomer of the Year honors. Seversen was the first male Milwaukee swimmer to receive the award since Kenny Stelpflug in 2012.
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
The Panthers last competed in Madison, Wis., at the Wisconsin Badger Invitational. Alvin Valkki came away as the top Milwaukee swimmer in the 100 butterfly, clocking a 50.62. Etienne Dolezal touched the wall third in the 50 Freestyle, finishing the event in 20.73. Marko Vucelic qualified for the A-Final for the 200 Breaststroke, turning in a 2:07.94 outing.
 
A trio of Panther women competed in the meet against the Badgers. Johanna Edgren got Milwaukee started with a 2:11.59 in the 200 IM prelims. Bella Sponseller took home second in the 100 Breaststroke, clocking a 1:08.56. The top Milwaukee finisher in the 50 freestyle A-Final was Kalli Stark who swam a 24.52.
 
WHERE TO WATCH

The swim & dive Horizon League Championships can be streamed on ESPN+.
 
LEPINE CONTINUES TO SHINE

In her junior season, Gabrielle LePine has emerged as one of the league's top performers. The reigning Horizon League 100 Breaststroke Champion currently ranks first in the league in the 50 Breaststroke and 100 Breaststroke and is among the top three in the 200 Breaststroke and 50 Freestyle.
 
WITTMANN WEEKLY

Kristina Wittmann has been named Women's Diver of the Week twice this season, receiving the honor for her efforts after sweeping the diving events against MSOE and Green Bay.
 
SIX RECORDS. ONE SEASON.

In his first season as a Panther, Sam Lorenz has made his way into the Panther record books. At IU Indy's House of Champions Invitational, Lorenz was part of six school-record performances. Lorenz set individual Panther records in the 50 Freestyle (19.68), 100 Backstroke (45.75), and the 200 Backstroke (1:43.49) as well as relay records in the 200 Medley Relay (1:26.64), 400 Medley Relay (3:12.51), and the 400 Freestyle Relay (2:57.20).
 
KLOTSCHE RECORDS FALL

The 2025-26 Panther men have shattered numerous Klotsche Natatorium records this season, setting 10 new facility standards.
-50 Freestyle – Sam Lorenz – 20.11 – 11/1/25
-200 Freestyle – Gunnar Seversen – 1:37.05 – 10/31/25
-500 Freestyle – Gunnar Seversen – 4:26.84 – 1/16/26
-1650 Freestyle – Gunnar Seversen – 15:47.37 – 1/17/26
-100 Butterfly – Caleb Carlisle – 48.07 – 1/24/26
-200 Butterfly – Caleb Carlisle – 1:47.50 – 1/17/26
-200 Backstroke – Sam Lorenz – 1:49.75 – 1/24/26
-100 Breaststroke – Caleb Carlisle – 55.13 – 1/24/26
-200 Freestyle Relay – Lorenz, Piljevic, Carlisle, House – 1:22.08 – 10/31/25
-200 Medley Relay – Lorenz, Jones, Carlisle, House – 1:27.93 – 1/24/26
 
U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The trio of Lorenz, LePine, and Carlisle represented Milwaukee at the U.S. Open Championships in Austin, Texas, from December 3-6. In the 50 Backstroke A-Final, Sam Lorenz took sixth in a loaded pool, finishing with a time of 25.29. LePine competed in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke, while Carlisle raced the 50 Breaststroke, 50 Butterfly, and 100 Butterfly.