FHSAA 2A State Champion Nico Gobel Commits to Loyola University New Orleans

Photo Courtesy: Annette Gobel

Panama City Beach, Florida’s Nicholas “Nico” Gobel has committed to swim for Loyola University New Orleans, where he will also be part of the University Honors Program, Class of 2022. Gobel swam the anchor leg of Arnold High School’s history-making state champion Boys 200 Medley Relay, helping the team earn its first-ever state title in an event, All-American consideration, and critical points which helped the entire boys swim & dive team place second overall (first place among public schools) at the 2016 FHSAA 2A State Championship meet.

“After weighing several excellent options for continuing my education, I have decided that Loyola offers all the elements of my ideal a college experience, combining top-notch academics based in the service-oriented Jesuit tradition with a growing varsity swimming program under great leadership,” stated Gobel. “I am very excited to announce my commitment to Loyola and I can’t wait to join the Wolf Pack this fall!”

Gobel was recently named a NISCA Academic All-American, and will graduate “with Distinction” on May 25. In addition to earning a state title in 2016, he is a 12-time state finalist, 14-time state qualifier, 6-time regional champion, and 12-time county champion. Representing Arnold High School, he earned All-County Team selection and lettered all four years, served as co-captain, and set 9 school and 2 county records, all while maintaining over a 4.0 GPA. In club competition, he has represented the Panama City Swim Team for nearly 10 years and is coached by Steve Burdeshaw and Brian Haddad. He has been a 7-time finalist at the Southeastern Swimming Championships, and has represented the team at NCSA Junior Nationals the past two years.

Loyola University New Orleans competes in Division 1 of the NAIA under head coach Thomas Natal, recently named the Mid-South Conference Men’s Coach of the Year. The young team just wrapped up its second season with both the men’s and women’s teams finishing in the top 10 at the national championships, up several spots from the prior year. Natal arrived at Loyola after holding top recruiting and coaching positions at NCAA Division 1 institutions, including the University of Connecticut where he coached 27 All-Conference selections, and Tulane University.

Chartered in 1912, Loyola University New Orleans is an accredited, private, co-educational, Jesuit institution located on 24 acres in historic uptown New Orleans. It is ranked among the Top 10 Best Universities of the South by U.S. News & World Report, and is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities. Loyola students are renowned for capturing some of the nation’s most prestigious awards, including Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, and Gates-Cambridge scholarships. Last year alone, Loyola produced five Fulbright scholars and was designated by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs as one of the Top Producers of U.S. Fulbright Scholars.

Follow Loyola University New Orleans athletics at www.loyolawolfpack.com

A. Marie Morejon contributed this report.

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