Lep Swimmers Build on Legacy at State

The La Grange Lady Leopards proved that you don’t need a big-city zip code to make big-time noise.

Competing Feb. 12–13 at the 4A and Under State Swim Meet held at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio, the Lady Leopards finished 13th in the state out of more than 150 4A and under swim programs.

And this marks the second consecutive year the Lady Leopards have qualified for and competed at the state swim meet — proving last year was no fluke. This program is building something real.

Leading the charge was the 200 Medley Relay team of Lyria Hartley, Adysen Janacek, Elena Supak, and Eleanor Carey — four swimmers who rose to the moment when they needed to the most.

Head Coach Gretchen Ledwik shared the race plan: “I told my girls to swim conservatively on day one — do what we needed to do to make the finals. Then on Friday, I told them to leave it all in the pool. These four ladies did exactly that. I could not be prouder of them.”

And leave it in the pool, they did.

Lyria Hartley, a freshman, stepped up in a big way on the backstroke. Racing in a lane beside a senior backstroker, she didn’t flinch — matching her stroke for stroke and proving she belongs on the state stage.

Adysen Janacek delivered under pressure, swimming her second-fastest breaststroke split of the entire season, keeping the Leopards right where they needed to be.

Elena Supak attacked the butterfly leg with heart and grit, refusing to give an inch and keeping La Grange in the race.

And when it was time to close, Eleanor Carey did what fierce competitors do — she finished strong in the freestyle with an impressive split, bringing it home for the Leopards.

Day one was about earning a lane in finals.

Day two was about heart. And here’s what makes it even more powerful — these swimmers do it without a home pool.

One can only imagine what these athletes could accomplish if the hours they spend traveling to practice were spent in the water instead. They compete on the largest stage in Texas with limited practice time and minimal resources — yet they continue to stand toe-to-toe with powerhouse programs.

These young women are building something bigger than medals.

They are creating a swimming legacy for La Grange — all without a pool.