Building Champions Without a Pool: SALT Swimmers Rise at State

The SALT (Smallest Aquatic League in Texas) League is made up of swimmers from several surrounding communities, including Fayette, Columbus, Schulenburg, and Rockdale, bringing together athletes from across the region to compete as one team. The SALT League swimmers took on the best from across the state this weekend at the TAAF Winter State Games of Texas in Victoria, delivering strong performances, multiple podium finishes, and valuable championship experience against year-round competition.

From the youngest 7–8 age group all the way through the 15–17 divisions, SALT swimmers showed determination, depth, and heart on the state stage, proving that hard work and commitment pay off when the lights are brightest.

At the TAAF Winter State Games, finishing in places 1–3 carries national implications. Swimmers who earn podium finishes qualify to advance to the State Games of America, where they will compete against top athletes from across the country. This year’s national event will be held in State College, PENN. in July, giving SALT League swimmers the opportunity to represent their communities on a national stage.

Several SALT swimmers climbed the podium, led by standout performances in the older age divisions and relays.

In the Women 15–17 division, Adysen Janacek earned a bronze medal in the 50 Breaststroke (36.03) and added three relay medals—silver in the Mixed 200 Medley Relay (2:12.85) and bronze in both the Mixed 200 Freestyle Relay (1:58.85) and Mixed 100 Freestyle Relay (56.83). Janacek also placed sixth in both the 100 Freestyle and 50 Freestyle.

Teammate Lyria Hartley contributed to all three mixed relay medals, (Silver and 2 Bronze) while placing sixth in the 50 Backstroke and seventh in the 50 Butterfly.

On the boys’ side, Nathaniel Hayner (Sliver Metel), Van Huette (Sliver Metal and 2 Bronze Metal), and Braxton Landis (2 Bronze Metals) were key contributors to the mixed relays, helping SALT secure silver and bronze finishes. Landis also placed fourth in the 50 Backstroke and had a top 10th place finish and a personal best time in the 100 freestyle, while Huette earned top-10 finishes in the 100 and 50 freestyle events.

In the Girls 11–12 division, the 200 Medley Relay team of Adalyn Emmel, Olive Vasquez, Olivia Kerr, and Eleanor Schmidt captured a strong third-place finish (2:44.05), adding another Bronze medal to the SALT League total.

Girls

7–8

● Ellison Masek

• 50 Freestyle – 12th (1:20.74)

• 25 Backstroke – 47th (46.24)

• 25 Freestyle – 30th (37.59)

Girls 9–10

● Cora Prichard-Jones

• 25 Backstroke – 8th (20.66)

• 25 Breaststroke – 12th (26.12)

• 100 IM – 13th (1:52.05)

● Daisy Williams

• 25 Breaststroke – 25th (33.80)

• 25 Freestyle – 42nd (28.40)

Girls 11–12

● Adalyn Emmel

• 200 Medley Relay – 3rd (2:44.05)

• 50 Backstroke – 4th (37.91)

• 50 Freestyle – 4th (31.73)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 5th (2:19.97)

● Olive Vasquez

• 200 Medley Relay – 3rd (2:44.05)

• 50 Breaststroke – 17th (51.90)

• 50 Freestyle – 18th (36.97)

• 100 IM – 18th (1:42.40)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 5th (2:19.97)

● Olivia Kerr

• 200 Medley Relay – 3rd (2:44.05)

• 50 Breaststroke – 12th (46.25)

• 50 Butterfly – 11th (44.67)

• 50 Freestyle – 19th (37.21)

• 200 Freestyle Relay (B) – 7th (2:45.45) ● Eleanor Schmidt

• 200 Medley Relay – 3rd (2:44.05)

• 50 Breaststroke – 13th (46.84)

• 50 Freestyle – 17th (36.36)

• 100 IM – 16th (1:36.70)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 5th (2:19.97)

● Adelina Patterson

• 50 Backstroke – 13th (42.89)

• 50 Butterfly – 9th (41.96)

• 50 Freestyle – 14th (35.64)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 5th (2:19.97)

● Aeowyn Gowers

• 50 Breaststroke – 11th (45.00)

• 50 Butterfly – 13th (47.44)

• 50 Freestyle – 20th (37.24)

• 200 Freestyle Relay (B) – 7th (2:45.45)

● Penny Bartek

• 50 Breaststroke – 18th (53.34)

• 50 Freestyle – 41st (46.69)

• 200 Freestyle Relay (B) – 7th (2:45.45)

● Emerson Masek

• 50 Breaststroke – 25th (1:03.64)

• 50 Freestyle – 42nd (47.64)

• 200 Freestyle Relay (B) – 7th (2:45.45)

Girls 13–14

● Makenna Emmel

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:24.01)

• 50 Backstroke – 11th (35.67)

• 50 Butterfly – 10th (33.58)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 6th (2:01.93)

● Mallie Toombs

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:24.01)

• 50 Breaststroke – 18th (44.99)

• 100 IM – 11th (1:18.54)

• 200 Freestyle – 8th (2:33.49)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 6th (2:01.93)

● Brook Yearwood

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:24.01)

• 50 Breaststroke – 15th (42.96)

• 50 Butterfly – 16th (37.63)

• 100 IM – 15th (1:25.27)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 6th (2:01.93)

● Avery Gabriel

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:24.01)

• 100 Freestyle – 10th (1:09.47)

• 50 Backstroke – 16th (36.86)

• 50 Freestyle – 12th (30.16)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 6th (2:01.93)

● Gracelynn Buscha

• 100 Freestyle – 15th (1:19.45)

• 50 Breaststroke – 22nd (48.54)

• 50 Freestyle – 24th (35.54)

● Savannah DeMers

• 50 Backstroke – 22nd (41.75)

• 50 Butterfly – 21st (40.33)

• 200 Freestyle – 10th (3:08.97)

Boys

7–8

● Grayson Gartman

• 25 Backstroke – 16th (27.61)

• 25 Freestyle – 24th (24.91)

● Finlay Prichard-Jones • 25 Backstroke – 14th (26.47)

• 25 Freestyle – 20th (24.09)

Boys 9–10

● Stoic Gowers

• 25 Backstroke – 12th (21.51)

• 25 Breaststroke – 9th (24.34) 25 Freestyle – 25th (21.10)

Boys 11–12

● Daniel Hromadka

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:51.93)

• 50 Backstroke – 24th (47.01)

• 50 Butterfly – 16th (49.93)

• 50 Freestyle – 27th (40.00)

● Braxton Ingram

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:51.93)

• 50 Backstroke – 19th (43.90)

• 50 Breaststroke – 13th (49.13)

• 50 Freestyle – 30th (40.35)

● Eli Vasquez

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:51.93)

• 50 Breaststroke – 5th (38.94)

• 50 Freestyle – 6th (30.88)

● Everett Kubenka

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:51.93)

• 50 Backstroke – 22nd (45.30)

• 50 Butterfly – 14th (47.73)

• 50 Freestyle – 24th (37.40)

● Curtis Toombs

• 100 Freestyle – 17th (1:20.98)

• 50 Butterfly – 15th (49.65)

• 100 IM – 21st (1:40.10)

Boys 13–14

● Oliver Schmidt

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:21.93)

• 100 Freestyle – 24th (1:19.97)

• 50 Freestyle – 16th (33.60)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 7th (2:06.28)

● Josh Mick

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:21.93) 50 Backstroke – 15th (38.06)

• 50 Butterfly – 16th (35.45)

• 100 IM – 13th (1:18.42)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 7th (2:06.28)

● Andy Wyatt

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:21.93)

• 50 Backstroke – 11th (35.64)

• 50 Breaststroke – 10th (37.63)

• 50 Butterfly – 17th (35.46)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 7th (2:06.28)

● Stratton Masek

• 200 Medley Relay – 6th (2:21.93)

• 50 Backstroke – 9th (35.06)

• 50 Butterfly – 15th (34.84)

• 50 Freestyle – 10th (31.03)

• 200 Freestyle Relay – 7th (2:06.28)

● Johnny Williams

• 50 Backstroke – 22nd (50.45)

• 50 Breaststroke – 23rd (53.78)

• 50 Freestyle – 23rd (41.57)

Coaches’ Perspective

Coach Sequoya Janacek and Coach Gretchen Ledwik emphasized just how impressive the performances were, given the circumstances leading into the meet.

“For most of our swimmers, the last time they competed was at the end of July during the Summer Games of Texas,” Janacek and Ledwik stated. “Many of them had not been in the pool since then. With no pool available to practice in, we are extremely proud of every place earned this weekend.”

The coaches also noted that despite the long layoff, several SALT swimmers turned in personal-best times, a testament to their work ethic and determination. “If we ever secure a natatorium, our goal is to offer year-round club swimming,” the coaches added. “We truly believe that with consistent access to water, our athletes could become even stronger swimmers and continue competing at a very high level across the state.

A Strong Showing for SALT

Competing against year-round programs from across Texas, SALT League swimmers proved they belong on the state stage. The Winter Games provided not only medals and top-10 finishes, but experience that will fuel future success as these athletes continue to train and grow.