From left, Pat Brug, Catherine Price, Chris Wetteland, Anna Wetteland and Sophia Pieck. Courtesy photo
Duncan Henderson dominating 2024 state in the 100 backstroke. Courtesy photo
SPORTS News:
Last year’s Topper Swim/Dive team made a strong showing at State, with the Boys placing second to powerhouse Eldorado, and the girls placing fourth behind La Cueva, Eldorado and State champion Albuquerque Academy. A large part of that success was record-setting swims in both individual events and relays.
To remember that season, four 2023-2024 Topper swimmers (Emily McLaughlin, Sophia Pieck, Catherine Price, Anna Wetteland) and outgoing head coach, Chris Wetteland recently gathered at the Walkup Center with incoming head coach, Pat Brug, to update the high school record board. Six high school records (4 individual and 2 relays) were set during the season.
Leading off, Duncan Henderson set school records in the 100 fly and 100 back. Duncan’s 100 backstroke time earned him a 2023-2024 NISCA High School Swimming All-American honor. Anna Wetteland set school marks in the 500 free and 100 back and also received All-American honors for the 200 freestyle.
In addition, the girls set two school records in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays.
Anna Wetteland led off the 200-freestyle relay in prelims achieving a 2023-2024 NISCA High School Swimming All-American honor.
“The Los Alamos girls team went into the state championship seated second to Albuquerque Academy in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays,” outgoing Coach Wetteland said. “I was fairly confident we could put the strongest team in the field together in the 200 Free because our depth with upperclassman talent.”
That held true as the team bested Academy by two seconds on their way to breaking the former record by a second.
Coach Wetteland continued: “I was more concerned about the 400 Freestyle and the Eldorado team. They have a history of swimming that relay tough. Also, two of our relay swimmers had limited experience on the big stage.”
Anna Wetteland highlighted the performance of those two swimmers.
“Sophomore Katherine Price and 8th grader Michelle Lo answered the call and helped the team to a 3 second victory over Eldorado in a record-breaking time,” Wetteland said. “I was so proud of Katherine and Michelle in the 400. We take tremendous pride in our LAHS relays, and they both swam out of their minds to put us on top and into the record books.”
Reflecting on her record setting senior season, Wetteland said: “All of my school records mean a ton to me, and I definitely remember the moments after breaking each one, but if I had to choose one to stand out it would probably be the 400 freestyle relay at State. The amount of pride I felt after that record was overwhelming, I was so proud of our relay for coming together one last time and crushing it after a long weekend. This one also meant a lot because it was the relay record we never thought we would get, so it was a surprise making it even more special.”
Michelle Lo also reflected on her new place in the record books as a middle school swimmer: “Honestly, I’m not sure what it means to be record holder. I was really lucky to be at the right place at the right time, with super-fast teammates to swim with so I really owe these records to my teammates.”
Finally, Sophia Pieck—a veteran swimmer returning this year as a senior—commented on the pressure to do well after she took the State championship in the 100 freestyle: “I do think that there definitely some extra pressures. Having already swam three events before the relay, you can imagine how exhausted an athlete is. For me, I think about my teammates, and how they are just as tired. You must push and push until there’s nothing left to give.”
On the boys side of the State meet, the Eldorado boys shattered two state relay records (200 medley relay and the 400 free relay) where they broke the previous records by 2 and 5 seconds respectively.
“It was bittersweet updating the state records because the Topper boys previously held the 400 free record,” incoming Coach Pat Brug said. “But having the opportunity to watch the Eldorado boys relay set the new record was special for the entire New Mexico swimming community.”
Anna Wetteland winning the 100 butterfly at 2024 state. Courtesy photo
Catherine Price and Sophia Pieck changing the 400 free relay girl’s record. Courtesy photo