The Westmont Sectionals, held at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Illinois, on July 9-12, 2026, showcased a diverse range of swimming talent. The meet, conducted in the long course meters (LCM) format, featured some impressive performances that left a lasting impression on spectators and coaches alike.
One of the standout performances came from 14-year-old Elliot Leasure, who claimed the boys' 200 backstroke title with a time of 2:02.93. This was a significant improvement on his previous best of 2:02.66, which already ranked him fourth in the 13-14 age group. Leasure's prowess in the 100 backstroke is further evidenced by his holding of the national age group record. His performance at the Westmont Sectionals adds to his growing list of achievements.
Jackson Kogler, another standout swimmer, dropped a second off his best time to win the 200 IM in 2:05.69. Kogler, who swims for Wyoming, entered the day with a lifetime best of 2:06.40 from last summer. His performance at the Westmont Sectionals further cements his status as a rising star in the swimming world.
Brody Engelstad, an Indiana commit for the upcoming fall, showcased his speed in the 50 free, winning the event in a time of 22.71, just 0.03 seconds off his lifetime best. Engelstad's performance at the Westmont Sectionals builds on his previous achievements, including a lifetime best of 22.89 in 2024.
On the girls' side, Payton Flowers made a significant impact with her 50 free win in 25.78. This time was a notable improvement on her previous best of 26.09, which she achieved in May 2025 at the AP Race London International. Flowers, who is just finishing her freshman season at Iowa, has undoubtedly earned a spot in the spotlight.
The 200 IM was a thrilling race, with Mckenzie Vasquez and Maddie Waggoner going head-to-head. Vasquez emerged victorious with a time of 2:18.90, just 0.07 seconds ahead of Waggoner's 2:18.97. Both swimmers demonstrated remarkable improvement, with Vasquez dropping 0.62 seconds off her best time and Waggoner reducing her lifetime best by 1.19 seconds.
25-year-old Tatiana Salcutan, a former South Carolina collegiate athlete, dominated the 200 back, winning the event in a time of 2:14.75. Salcutan's performance is all the more impressive given her status as the holder of all three backstroke national records for Moldova, including a 2:09.98 record from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics prelims.
Grace Swoboda continued her winning streak, claiming the 50 breast title in 31.85, just a fraction of a second off her previous best. Her performance at the Westmont Sectionals further solidifies her position as a top swimmer in her age group.
While the distance free results were unavailable at the time of publication, the Westmont Sectionals provided a wealth of exciting swimming action. The meet served as a platform for swimmers to showcase their talent and make significant strides in their respective events. As the swimming community continues to follow the progress of these athletes, the Westmont Sectionals undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the sport.
