Baylor School have cemented their status as a powerhouse of US high school swimming, claiming a sensational double victory at the 2026 TISCA State Championships.
In a event defined by record-breaking performances, the Baylor Women’s and Men’s teams were both crowned State Champions, bolstered significantly by a talented contingent of Bermudian athletes who delivered under the highest pressure.
On the men’s side, Connor Hupman proved to be a pivotal figure in Baylor's dominant display. Hupman secured two individual 'A' final finishes, placing 8th in the 200 Yard Freestyle (1:42.37) and 7th in the 100 Yard Freestyle (46.18).
However, it was in the relays where Hupman truly etched his name into the history books. He was instrumental as the Baylor boys captured state titles and set new state records in both the 200 Yard Freestyle (1:20.56) and the 400 Yard Freestyle (2:58.56) relays.
Joining him in the men's success were the Maranzana brothers. Noah Maranzana delivered personal bests in both the 50 Yard Freestyle (21.95, 19th) and the 100 Yard Freestyle (48.00, 22nd), while also playing a vital role in the preliminaries for the state-title-winning 4x50 Freestyle relay. Meanwhile, Gabriel Maranzana finished 32nd in the 100 Yard Freestyle (49.91) and recorded a backstroke personal best of 26.46 while leading off the 12th-place Medley relay team.
The Baylor women were equally imperious, with a trio of Bermudian swimmers providing essential depth across individual and relay events.
Katherine Wheddon led the individual results for the group, securing 14th place in the 200 Yard Freestyle 'B' Final with a time of 1:56.58, and finishing 31st in the 100 Yard Freestyle (55.38).
Violet Smith also earned a 'B' final spot, clocking 58.66 to finish 15th in the 100 Yard Backstroke, while Maggie Mewett finished 19th in the 50 Yard Freestyle (25.11) and 32nd in the 100 Yard Breaststroke (1:11.98).
Beyond individual accolades, the Bermudian contingent was the backbone of Baylor’s relay depth. Smith led off the 200 Yard Medley 'B' relay to a 9th-place finish, while Mewett and Wheddon contributed to strong showings in the freestyle relays to ensure Baylor remained unchallenged at the top of the overall points table.
As Baylor celebrates another historic state double, the performances of these young Bermudians serve as a powerful reminder of the island's burgeoning talent on the international stage.
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