West Lafayette Jr-Sr High School

The West Lafayette Red Devil Swimming & Dive team hosted Lafayette Jeff at home on Tuesday, January 13th. As is was our last co-ed regular season dual meet of the season, we took this opportunity to celebrate our swim & dive leaders from the graduating Class of 2026! Meet the Class of 2026 from the Swim & Dive team: MEI KIHARA, Senior Captain Mei is a four-year member of the Red Devil swimming program. Outside of high school swimming, Mei is a member of Boilermaker Aquatics, Wabash Symphony Orchestra, and Student Council. Mei plans to be majoring in Biology and Journalism at an undecided university. Mei was escorted by her parents, Mei and Daisuke Kihara, and her brother, Kai. Some of Mei’s favorite memories are: Qualifying for state and setting a school record during freshman year. Also, TP nights with the girls before boys sectionals! Some advice from Mei to the team: Find happiness in the small things! Life’s too short to not have fun. And a note of thanks from Mei: My mom for her unconditional support throughout my swim career, my coaches for dealing with my antics at practice, and my teammates for making swim practice fun. CAILYN CHO, Senior Captain Cailyn is a four-year member of the Red Devil diving program. Outside of high school diving, Cailyn is involved in the National Honors Society, the Wabash Valley Youth Symphony, and her church youth group. Cailyn will be attending Tufts University to study Economics. Cailyn was escorted by her parents, Charley and Jiyoun, and her sister Monique. Some of Cailyn’s favorite memories are: Saturday practices when Jen's daughter would come by and we'd play games. Some advice from Cailyn to the team: It's different every day, so don't take it personally. One day you'll be having trouble with one thing while it'll be fine the next day. And a note of thanks from Cailyn: I'd like to thank my parents and my sister for supporting me despite not knowing what was going on, Coach Jen for being really encouraging and helping me grow each year, and my teammates for being really funny especially during the 11-dive meets. JACOB COHEN, Senior Captain Jacob is a four-year member of the Red Devil swimming program. Besides swimming, Jacob is a part of Student Council and various other school activities, along with work. Jacob plans to study Marketing and Public Relations at an undecided school. Jacob was accompanied by his parents Marc and Cheryl, and his sister Mikayla, along with his grandparents Connie and Dave. Some of Jacob’s favorite memories are: Spending time with my teammates on and off deck through grueling practices and chaotic team dinners. Some advice from Jacob to the team: Keep showing up and pushing yourself and others to be their personal best, because in the end, the content of your character matters more than your times. And a note of thanks from Jacob: I would like to thank all of my family, friends, coaches, and teachers who have supported me throughout my life and academic career. HAZEL DAVIS Hazel is a three-year member of the Red Devil swimming program. Hazel was Team Manager for her first two years and swam her last year. Outside of swimming, Hazel is involved with the National Honors Society, and is President of the Project Lit Book Club and the Creative Writing Club. Hazel will be attending Purdue University to study Elementary Education. Hazel was escorted by her mom, Carli, her step-dad Erik, her dad, Brett, her step-mom, Jenny, and her brother, Callum. Some of Hazel’s favorite memories are: My sophomore year when I got my first hat for being Team Manager. It was a taco hat and I have it hanging in my room currently. Some advice from Hazel to the team: Don’t let fear control you. If you are too scared to try something you really want to do, just take the leap and see where you land. And a note of thanks from Hazel: I would like to thank my mom, who has always been my number one supporter since day one, and I would like to thank the rest of my family for always being there for me. KEXIN LIU Kexin is a three-year member of the Red Devil swimming program. Kexin is the president of Key Club and an officer at Perfect Pitches. She is in National Honors Society and the tennis team. She has been in the musical cast for four years and loves to sing in chorale. Kexin will be studying mechanical engineering after she graduates. Kexin was escorted by her parents, Kevin Liu and Michelle Yan, and her brother, Thomas Liu. Some of Kexin’s favorite memories are: Suffering through the 6 by 100s every year with my friends. And also making snow angels my senior year. Some advice from Kexin to the team: Always make sure your teammates are welcomed and included. It’s the moments with the team that stays with you the most. And a note of thanks from Kexin: I would like to thank my mom for cooking good meals after workouts and my dad for keeping me warm after practices. JESSICA REINGOLD Jessica is a four-year member of the Red Devil swimming program. Jessica was in diving in her first year, but got scared and decided to swim the next three years. Outside of high school swimming, Jessica is involved in her synagogue's Sunday school, a local preschool, ECO Club, WESSO, National Honors Society, girls Cross Country, and tennis. Jessica will be attending an undecided university to study Chemistry. Jessica was escorted by her parents, Lynn and David, and her brother, Jack. Some of Jessica’s favorite memories are: My sophomore year, I went TPing with the team the first time, and Laurie drove us from house to house blasting music while Juanita, Andrea, Natalie, and I sat in the back seat messing around with each other. Some advice from Jessica to the team: Don't forget to laugh, and don't forget to love. Live for all the time that you have. Enjoy the happy moments to the fullest, and lean on those close to you when times get hard. And a note of thanks from Jessica: I would like to thank my family and friends for coming to meets anytime they could. Thank you to the coaches for supporting me all these years. I would especially like to thank my teammates for cheering me and others on during hard workouts and creating such a welcoming environment for everyone, not just me.