Nathan Noel, 18, from Laplace, with a banner of his college. Credit:Noel

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Nathan Noel, 18, from Laplace, is about to make history at the 2025 River Parish Summer League Invitational as he gets ready for one last dive into the pool at the tournament.

The 18-year-old is not just aiming to compete but to make history. The 2025 invitational will be his last appearance before heading to West Chester University in Pennsylvania, where he has earned a swimming scholarship.

Next, he aims to break multiple league records at the July 11-13 meet at LORAYO Country Club in LaPlace. Noel says this weekend will mark the culmination of over a decade in the water.

“I’ve been swimming since I was six,” he said. “I started with the Riverlands Stingrays and eventually joined Hill Heights Swimming Club. It’s been a full-circle journey to finish here.”

This year marks Noel’s return to the summer league after taking time off to focus on year-round competitive swimming. The 2025 invitational will be his last appearance before heading to West Chester University in Pennsylvania, where he has earned an athletics scholarship.

But before college, he’s hoping to etch his name into the record books. His boldest goal is to sweep five events at the meet and break their records, a feat he calls an “overachievement,” which Noel is not ruling out.

“I’m looking to break every single record and pretty confident I can get the 50 butterfly and 100-meter,” Noel said. “I’ve already broken the 50-meter butterfly twice this season at dual meets. And I think my relay team has a shot at both the 100 medley and 100 freestyle relay records.”

“Every time I enter the water, I’m going for it,” he said. Noel already holds a league record, set when he was 14, of 27.40 in the 50-meter backstroke. 

He still remembers the thrill of hearing his name called over the loudspeaker that day. “There are videos of me splashing the water after the race,” he recalled. “It was awesome.”

For Noel, finding the extra speed to be quicker behind the blocks and building confidence drives him in training.“Mentally, I’ve been working on confidence. Physically, I’ve been training six days a week,” he said. “This is it, but I’m ready psychologically.”

More than a competition, Noel says, the River Parish Summer League has brought joy to the sport. “It reminds me where the fun in swimming comes from,” he said. “People write ‘eat my bubbles’ on their backs. It’s light, where it all started,” he said.

Behind his success is a family support system, especially his mother, whom he calls the cornerstone of his journey.

“She’s played both roles in my life, always there for practice, for therapy, for everything,” he said. “I was non-verbal until I was four years old. Without her, I wouldn’t be here.”

After the River Parish Invitational, Noel will compete in some individual events at the Louisiana State Championships as he prepares for college in September. 

The River Parish Summer League Invitational prelims will take place on July 11 – 12, with the finals and relays scheduled for July 13.