At State, Tomahawk swimmers set personal, school records

WAUKESHA – The Tomahawk High School boys’ swim team wrapped up their season at the 2025 WIAA State Tournament in Waukesha on Saturday, Feb. 22.

The team finished in 20th place out of 27 at State and 20^th of 44 teams in Wisconsin.

Dane DeKiep set a new school record in the backstroke at 55.99 seconds.

Zach Germano, Sam Zastrow and Bruce Peetz now hold the school record in the medley relay.

DeKiep and Germano made their second-consecutive appearances at State, tying a school record held by Travis Phillips.

Every Hatchet swimmer set a personal record at the state meet.

“A coach can ask for no better time than an individual record,” said coach Theresa L’Esperance. “The team set seven personal records.”

L’Esperance noted that Germano placed the highest of all Hatchet participants, with a 9th-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, and the Tomahawk swimmers rallied to set a new season record in the 400 free relay, with three out of four personal records.

“Many readers have witnessed the success of Tomahawk’s swimming programs, but fail to understand the significance of being the smallest public school in the state to provide swimming to both boys’ and girls’ teams,” L’Esperance stated. “We are very successful, considering the success of other winter sports at Tomahawk. Swimming is no easy sport, and it takes years of swimming to meet the expectations of qualifying for the State meet. This year, it was a total team success. From Mr. Kelly in the weight room to Mr. DeKiep and Mrs. Backas in the pool, it truly takes a village to succeed.”