The 2026 U.S. Junior National Championships in Irvine, California, came to a thrilling conclusion on Day 5, with the final session featuring the girls' 1500 free, boys' 800 free, 200 IM, 50 free, and 400 medley relay. The meet showcased some impressive performances, with several swimmers breaking records and securing their spots on the podium.
In the girls' 1500 free, Ellie Patla of Reach Aquatics emerged victorious with a time of 16:38.15, a significant improvement from her entry time. Madalyn Petty and Milly Birch followed closely behind, securing the second and third positions, respectively. Emily Wolf, who had the fastest time in the heats, finished in third place, just 0.4 seconds behind Patla.
The girls' 200 IM saw Gabi Brito from Beach Cities Alpha claim the top spot with a time of 2:14.64, breaking away from her competitors with strong butterfly and backstroke legs. Lucy Velte and Rowyn Wilber took second and third places, respectively. In the boys' 200 IM, Cullen Kahl dominated the race, winning the junior national title with a time of 2:00.43, just 0.15 seconds shy of his personal best.
The boys' 50 free witnessed a close competition, with Thor Johannessen, Julian Granison, and Brody Chandler finishing in the top three. Sutton Forbis and Emilianna Gonzalez had a fierce battle in the girls' 50 free, with Forbis emerging victorious in a time of 25.38, just 0.12 seconds ahead of Gonzalez.
The meet concluded with the 4x100 medley relay, where the teams showcased their versatility and teamwork. The final team scores for both girls and boys were announced, with the combined scores revealing the overall winners of the meet.
This championship event not only showcased the talent and dedication of the swimmers but also highlighted the importance of teamwork and individual excellence in the world of competitive swimming.
