The RIS Phoenix swim team made waves at the SEASAC Swimming Championships 2025, delivering an impressive performance throughout the weekend. Despite having a small team, RIS swimmers showcased incredible determination, achieving personal bests, setting school records, and earning multiple medals on the international stage.
Day 1 Highlights
The competition kicked off with a strong start. Ella Leighton (Class of 2028) competed in the 200-meter freestyle, gaining valuable experience in the finals series. Danny McKinney (Class of 2026) demonstrated his dominance in breaststroke, qualifying fastest for the Boys’ 50-meter breaststroke final with an outstanding time of 29.51 seconds. He later delivered a remarkable performance, securing a silver medal in one of the fastest 50-meter breaststroke races in SEASAC history. The Boys’ 4×100-meter freestyle relay team also put up a solid fight in their heat, setting the stage for an exciting weekend.
Day 2 Successes
RIS swimmers continued to impress with multiple finals appearances and personal best performances. Both Danny McKinney and Fahsai Srikaraket (Class of 2027) qualified for the evening’s 100-meter breaststroke finals. Danny once again showcased his prowess in breaststroke, winning his second silver medal with a personal best time of 1:04.85. Fahsai delivered an outstanding swim, placing fourth in the Girls’ 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:23.97.
Final Day Achievements
The final day of SEASAC Swimming saw RIS swimmers competing in multiple events, including the 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter individual medley, and 200-meter breaststroke. Ella Leighton and Fahsai Srikaraket (Class of 2027) made significant strides, reaching the finals for the first time this year and competing fiercely against top swimmers in the region. Vin Pungprasert and younger team members Junxi (Tiger) Liu, Carl Reah van Rijn , Bio Pittayathikhun, and Samut Chandhiraj made rema rkable progress in the Under-19 category, shaving up to three seconds off their personal best times, an impressive feat at such a high level of competition.
Danny McKinney (Class of 2026) was one of the standout performers of the championship, securing three silver medals and a bronze in his individual events: 50-meter breaststroke, 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter breaststroke, and 200-meter individual medley. His consistency and determination made him a key contributor to the RIS team’s success.
Looking Ahead
Congratulations to all our swimmers for their hard work, resilience, and achievements at SEASAC 2025! The team’s performance is a testament to their dedication and perseverance. RIS now looks forward to hosting the upcoming BMAC Swimming competition, which promises to be another exciting event for our community.
Well done, Phoenix swimmers! Let’s continue to rise and shine in the pool!
