LAPORTE | Six records fell at Saturday's LaPorte Sectional, but one mark quite comfortably remained intact.
Top-ranked Chesterton broke five records -- all in swimming events -- to win its 15th consecutive team crown, distancing itself from runner-up Valparaiso (522-349).
Junior Aaron Whitaker was a part of four records. He broke his own mark en route to his third consecutive win in the 100-yard fly (48.79) and eclipsed Albert Miller's 2008 record in the 100 back by almost a full second (50.99) to defend that crown. He also helped the Trojans bookend the meet with records in the 200 medley relay (1:34.75) and the 400 free relay (3::07.27).
"The 200 medley relay got us ready for the meet," Whitaker said. "It showed the guys that we were there to do what we were supposed to do. It was important to finish strong (in the 400 free relay), because we might need to do that next week to win the state title."
Twin Ethan Whitaker broke the record in the 200 free (1:40.8), won the 500 free (4:36.67), swam a leg on the victorious 200 free relay (1:27) and joined his brother on the 400 free relay.
Classmate Blake Pieroni defended his title in the 100 free (45.82), won the 200 individual medley (1:52.28) and joined Aaron Whitaker on both record-setting relays.
Junior Jack Wallar defended his crown in the 50 free (21.79) and won the 100 breast (57.98).
"I feel good about this," said Chesterton coach Kevin Kinel, the Sectional Coach of the Year. "We stepped up today.
"Our top four guys got the job done."
Junior Patrick Curley finished second in the 200 IM (1;54.9), besting the state cut, and Kinel believes the Trojans might pick up a few call-down berths today.
"We have to have another great meet next week," Kinel said. "I feel we're in a pretty good position."
LaPorte diver Josh Arndt wowed the crowd with his eye-popping performance. The defending state champion shattered the sectional mark by over 100 points with his 636.95 total. The state meet record is 623.9.
"That was the most-amazing feeling," said Arndt, an Indiana recruit. "It was kind of like an out-of-body experience."
He punctuated his 11-dives list by picking up 75 points on his forward 3 1/2 somersault tuck.
"My confidence shot up," Arndt said. "That's the first time I've thrown that dive, and I just wanted to see if I could use it at state. It was an adrenaline rush. I felt my heart pounding (on the board), and I just made it happen."
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