This summer, Angleton High School of Angleton ISD had two of their talented Wildcat swimmers, Ean Arbogast and Luke Cook, sign their letters of intent to continue swimming at the collegiate level.
For Luke Cook, swimming started as a fun summer activity. Over the years, it turned into a passion that carried him to the UIL 5A State Championships multiple times. From relay appearances as a freshman to becoming a finalist in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle, Cook made a name for himself as a strong teammate and leader.
His commitment to early mornings, long practices, and mentoring younger swimmers paid off. Luke signed with the University of Evansville, where he’ll study civil engineering while competing at the Division I level.
He was drawn to Evansville for its engineering program and athletics. After visiting the campus and connecting with the coach, he felt the team’s training style and academic environment matched his goals.
Cook credits his years at Angleton for teaching him resilience, teamwork, and how to balance academics with athletics, skills he’ll carry with him into college.
For Ean Arbogast, the journey looked a little different. He didn’t begin competitive swimming until ninth grade, initially using it as an outlet while his mother, Jannice, battled leukemia. But what began as an after-school activity turned into a life-changing path.
Within a few years, Ean represented Puerto Rico at the PanAm Aquatics Age Group Championships, where he competed in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter butterfly, and relays—bringing home a silver medal.
That international experience, combined with his rapid improvement in the sport, led him to sign with the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. There, he’ll pursue electrical engineering while swimming for the Scarlet Hawks.
Coaches, teammates, family members, and even local leaders gathered at the Angleton ISD Aquatics Center to honor Luke and Ean’s achievements.
Both swimmers acknowledged the support they received from their families, especially the late-night rides, endless encouragement, and sacrifices that made their journeys possible.
Ean’s mother, Jannice, expressed how swimming became a stabilizing force in her son’s life during difficult times, offering him freedom, focus, and a sense of belonging.
For younger swimmers in Angleton, Luke and Ean’s stories show that there are many paths to success. Whether you start as a child dreaming of state medals like Luke or discover the sport later like Ean, hard work and passion can lead to incredible opportunities.
As they leave Angleton High School, both athletes carry with them lessons of teamwork and community spirit.
Sources: Angleton ISD Facebook, The Facts newspaper articles on Angleton ISD swimmers, SwimCloud profiles for Ean Arbogast and Luke Cook
Blog by: Diana Xiao