Carlos Minetti

On the Friday Five we like to highlight the best characters roaming around LFHS, and there are few who deliver this unique presence as consistently as Senior Carlos Minetti.

Within minutes of meeting him, it is clear Minetti lives and breathes in his passion for swimming.

“He truly treasures and values the sport and his teammates with an absolute heart of gold and an undying team spirit,” head coach Cindy Dell said.

Minetti was a team captain this year, channeling his famous team spirit into leadership.

“Carlos is a great leader. He leads by example,” captain John Torosian said. “He’s the only senior currently who is a four-year varsity member…which was a tough commitment, but his following through with it was impressive.”

While longtime teammates praise his dedication, younger teammates praise his unique leadership. “There are great leaders, and then there is Carlos,” freshman Varsity swimmer Sidd Ohja said.

Not only did Minetti’s team spirit channel into leadership as a captain, but it also brought success in the pool. He finished 8th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.08, 6th in the 100 free with a time of 48.51, and was in both free relays at the Sectional Championship meet. Both are strong times that barely missed cuts for State Championships. He scored 13.5 points for Lake Forest.

Although Minetti’s final season ended following sectionals, his spirits were far from offseason mode.

“Carlos was the first one to text me about getting tickets to go see his teammates swim at State,” Dell said. “This just puts his drive and infectious enthusiasm on perfect display.”

Both in water and on land, Minetti has been a consistent character in the lives of his peers. “Carlos is the second biggest Star Wars fan I know, impressively in close competition with JV head coach John Brummund-Smith” junior Luke Lanigan said.

Dell said he is most impressed in Minetti’s growth and hard work.

“Carlos has experienced tremendous growth, both as an athlete and as a person,” Dell said. “He works hard to improve 24 hours a day, all while talking 24 hours a day! We love him and will miss him because of that, and I am looking forward to seeing what his future holds.”