Beep beep beep, new Head Varsity Coach Brendan Weibel’s high-tech software timer goes off, and varsity girls grab the wall, gasping for air. Although only a few weeks into the 2025-2026 girls’ swim season, Weibel has made some massive changes. 

“I’m super grateful for this opportunity, and I’m excited for this season,” Weibel said. “I have big goals.”

Weibel graduated from LT in 2014 and was a standout swimmer on the Boys Swim & Dive team for four years. Coming back 10 years later to replace former Head Coach Scott Walker after 24 seasons, Weibel’s bringing some new practice schedules and expertise. Weibel utilized his Computer Engineering Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to revamp the website and create a program that allows him to write out workouts and then import them into the app he uses for the clock.

“My primary goal is to maintain what has been built over the years,” Weibel said to Riverside-Brookfield Landmark Newspaper. “[LT] swimming is more than just a program. It’s a pillar of the community. I want to preserve that culture of hard work and unity while continuing to grow the team.”

In addition, Weibel remodeled the Girls Swim & Dive website: publishing times, lineups, and an entire roster of every swimmer and diver. He also revised practice schedules for the three teams (in order of intensity): Gold, Blue, and White. 

“I was shocked when I got on [Gold],” Freshman Varsity swimmer Sydney Kail said. “I thought I couldn’t, but then I did!”

Kail and the rest of the Gold Team, the highest-level training group, have access to new training equipment that Walker didn’t prefer. For example, power towers: a bucket hooked up to a belt around your waist to increase the drag and difficulty of your stroke. 

“I hope everyone gets [their] best times at their ultimate swim meets,” Weibel said. “We have a lot of outstanding leaders on the team, so I’m super excited.”

Unlike Walker, Weibel splits up Gold, Blue, and White’s practices and schedules. This maximizes pool space, Weibel said. Gold trains six days per week with four morning and afternoon practices (doubles), with two dryland sessions per week. Blue trains six days per week with multiple doubles and two dryland sessions. Finally, White swims six days per week with one double and one to two dryland sessions per week. This new schedule allows for differing workouts based on ability and less interaction between the teams. 

Weibel was also the first to make cuts in recent years. The new Girls Swim & Dive website reads: cuts are based on time trial results, attendance, attitude, and roster limitations.

On Weibel’s interview panel, three varsity members sat in and contributed to the decision to hire Weibel.

“What stood out to me was that [Weibel’s] super organized, and every decision he makes is well thought out,” All-State Gold swimmer Lindsay Forebaugh said. “He really puts a lot of effort in and cares about everything he’s doing, which the team approaches.”

The girls have a promising future, having finished first in the KP Invite at Hinsdale Central on Aug. 30. The meet included all of the top seven teams in the state last year. 

“Just have fun and enjoy,” Senior Captain and varsity swimmer Kylie Thompson said. “I didn’t believe it freshman year when seniors told me, but the time goes really fast.”