The New Trier Aquatics Sharks wrapped up an incredible long-course season last weekend at the 2026 Illinois Swimming Age Group State Championship in Hobart, Indiana. Competing against the top clubs across the state, the Sharks delivered stellar performances from start to finish, earning
3rd place in the Combined Team Scores with 1,871 points! In addition, the NTA Boys squad claimed an outstanding
2nd place finish in the team standings with 1,420 points.
It was a total team effort and a thrilling finale to a summer filled with hard work and growth.
High-Point Heroes
Two Sharks stood tall on the individual leaderboard, placing in the Top 10 High Point Standings for their respective age divisions:
- Joe Kennedy (11-12 Boys): Placed
4th overall in High Point with 144 points.
- Eric Moldovan (13-14 Boys): Placed
4th overall in High Point with 134 points.
State Champions & Record Breakers
The 11-12 Boys made history in the pool, collecting state titles and shattering New Trier Aquatics Team Records throughout the weekend!
Individual State Titles & Team Records
- Joe Kennedy swept an astonishing
six individual State Championships in the 11-12 Boys division! Joe touched the wall first in the 50 Free (26.55), 200 Free (2:07.90), 50 Back (30.05), 200 Back (2:23.27), 50 Fly (27.89), and 50 Breast (34.94). In the process, Joe broke
New Trier Aquatics Team Records in the 50 Free, 200 Back, and 50 Fly!
Relay Champions & Team Records
The Boys 11-12 relay squads dominated the competition and swept record boards across four relay events:
- 200 Freestyle Relay (1st Place - 1:52.29): Brandon Ko, Lincoln Tang, Ian Kwak, and Joe Kennedy –
NEW TEAM RECORD
- 400 Freestyle Relay (1st Place - 4:10.30): Brandon Ko, Lincoln Tang, Ian Kwak, and Joe Kennedy –
NEW TEAM RECORD
- 200 Medley Relay (1st Place - 2:06.61): Joe Kennedy, Lincoln Tang, Ron Livne, and Brandon Ko –
NEW TEAM RECORD
- 400 Medley Relay (3rd Place - 4:42.97): Joe Kennedy, Lincoln Tang, Ron Livne, and Brandon Ko –
NEW TEAM RECORD
Medalists & Standout Finalists
In addition to our state champions, a host of Sharks earned individual state medals and top-8 podium finishes:
Boys 13-14
- Eric Moldovan: 2nd in 50 Back (29.52); 3rd in 100 Back (1:03.18), 200 Back (2:15.75), and 200 Fly (2:18.08); 4th in 400 IM (4:53.47) and 200 IM (2:17.76); 8th in 200 Free (2:06.34).
- Matt Logan: 2nd in 50 Free (26.00); 3rd in 50 Fly (27.44) and 100 Fly (1:00.69); 8th in 50 Back (30.66).
- Sam Moreau-Krone: 4th in 100 Back (1:05.40) and 200 Back (2:20.19).
- Demetre Kvirikadze: 5th in 50 Breast (33.25); 6th in 200 Breast (2:35.28); 8th in 100 Breast (1:12.84).
- Daniel Nikonchuk: 6th in 800 Free (9:15.43).
Boys 11-12
- Brandon Ko: 3rd in 50 Free (28.22); 5th in 100 Free (1:02.11); 7th in 200 IM (2:35.02).
- Lincoln Tang: 7th in 200 Breast (2:56.20); 8th in 100 Breast (1:22.91), 100 Back (1:13.09), and 200 Back (2:36.43).
Girls
- Cecily Clifton (11-12): 4th in 100 Fly (1:10.64) and 200 Fly (2:45.63); 5th in 50 Fly (30.85); 6th in 50 Free (29.29); 7th in 50 Back (33.77).
- Jordana Segel (13-14): 4th in 1500 Free (18:26.73); 5th in 200 Fly (2:28.02) and 400 IM (5:15.57); 6th in 200 IM (2:30.04).
- Riley Frankle (11-12): 6th in 200 Fly (2:49.06) and 7th in 200 Breast (3:05.04).
See You in Late August!
Ending the long-course season with a 3rd place overall team trophy is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to all our swimmers, coaches, and families on an unforgettable State Championship meet!
Our swimmers are now enjoying a well-deserved summer break. We will see everyone back in the pool at the end of August to kick off the new season!
Go Sharks!
#BetterEveryDay #FinsUp #GoSharks
