2026 South Carolina High School League 5A Swimming Championships
Two familiar programs were on top of the podium at the South Carolina High School League 5A State Swimming Championships.
The Fort Mill girls’ team won its fourth title in five years, outlasting Eastside by 19.5 points. On the boys’ side, Eastside dominated once again, rolling to its 12th straight state championship.
Girls’ Recap
Fort Mill was led by Emma Michael, who won two individual events and was a part of two winning relay teams.
Individually, Michael won the distance free events, taking the 200 free in 1:54.16 and the 500 free in 5:09.02, both personal bests.
Michael was the anchor for Fort Mill’s winning team in the 200 medley relay, which clocked a time of 1:46.31. Other team members were Taeryn Kim, Hanuka Ono and Julia Corbi.
In the 400 free relay, Fort Mill’s team of Delaney Michael, E. Michael, Ono and Lila Hadley won with a time of 3:36.22.
The 200 free relay was won by Eastside’s team of Lauren York, Arriston Poynter, Keira Cook and Darcy O’Sullivan in a time of 1:38.73.
The other individual standouts besides E. Michael were Claire Burns of J.L. Mann and Jackie Bonavilla of Chapin.
Committed to Alabama, Burns captured the 200 IM in 2:02.13 and the 100 breast in 1:02.74.
A Navy commit, Bonavilla won the 100 fly in 55.19 and the 100 back in 56.73.
The other individual winners were O’Sullivan in the 50 free (24.36) and Farrah Ballouli of Spring Valley in the 100 free (53.30).
Girls’ Team Standings — Top 5
- Fort Mill, 491.5
- Eastside, 472
- Gray Collegiate, 289.5
- J.L. Mann, 269
- Chapin, 184
Boys’ Recap
Eastside once again seemingly conducted its own Invitational, winning nine events. The only exception was two won by Will Lancaster of Spartanburg, who claimed the 200 IM in 1:51.64 and the 100 breast in 55.22.
Other than that, it was all Eastside.
Georgia commit Will Bridges led the way individually, winning both the 100 free (46.02) and the 100 back (49.77).
The other winners for Eastside were Harper Church in the 200 free (1:41.08), Ben York in the 100 free (20.98), Quinn Beason in the 500 free (4:40.40) and Collin Brickner in the 100 fly (52.03).
Eastside swept the relays, starting in the 200 medley relay when the team of Bridges, Hughes, Brickner and York won in a time of 1:31.40.
The team of Geoffrey Osborn, Brickner, Church and Cooper Hughes later captured the 200 free relay in a time of 1:25.73.
In the 400 free relay, the squad of York, Thompson Haff, Church and Bridges won with a time of 3:06.69.
Boys’ Team Standings — Top 5
- Eastside, 672
- Fort Mill, 270
- Ashley Ridge, 256.5
- J.L. Mann, 229
- Mauldin, 223
