The 2026 Westmont Sectionals swimming meet, held at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Illinois, from July 9-12, showcased some impressive performances from the young athletes. Among the standout swimmers was Dare Rose, who continued his dominant form in the 100 butterfly, clocking a time of 51.79 to secure victory on night 3 of the meet.
Rose's performance is particularly noteworthy given his season-best time of 50.70 at the Bergen Swim Festival, which currently ranks him 2nd in the US and 6th in the world. This highlights his exceptional talent and potential in the sport.
On the boys' side, 16-year-old Kai Joyner made waves with a lifetime-best 3:56.68 in the 400 freestyle, finishing just 0.46 seconds shy of his previous best. This achievement underscores the rapid development of young swimmers in the sport.
Elliot Leasure, a 13-14 national age group record holder in the 100 backstroke, demonstrated his versatility by winning the 50 backstroke in 25.99 seconds. This showcases the importance of developing multiple event skills in swimming.
Andrew Seifert, a BOTR-ranked recruit committed to Dordt, further solidified his status as a rising star with lifetime-best performances in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, dropping 0.60 seconds and 0.16 seconds, respectively.
On the girls' side, Maddie Waggoner, a Minnesota commit, narrowly missed her lifetime best in the 400 freestyle, finishing in 4:16.98. This indicates the high level of competition and the potential for continued improvement among the young swimmers.
Brooke Corrigan, a Wisconsin swimmer, showcased her versatility by dropping a second from her previous best in the 200 breaststroke, touching the wall in 2:30.40. This performance highlights the importance of developing a well-rounded skill set in swimming.
Faith Lamah, another Minnesota commit, swam to a season-best 1:01.81 in the 100 butterfly, while 16-year-old Aibhy King finished second in 1:01.86, just half a second off her best time. Grey Davis, a 16-year-old swimmer, earned a win in the 50 backstroke with a time of 29.32.
In conclusion, the 2026 Westmont Sectionals provided a glimpse into the future of swimming, with young athletes showcasing their talent, versatility, and potential for continued success. The meet served as a platform for swimmers to build upon their achievements and strive for even greater heights in the sport.
