Sussex Tsunami swimmers dominate at districts
In a performance that will be remembered as a defining moment in program history, the Sussex Family YMCA Tsunami swim team delivered a record-breaking showing at the YMCA East Field South District Championships March 13-15, capturing overall team championship in the program’s first appearance in the Big Team Division.
Competing against top YMCA programs from across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., SFY delivered one of the most complete team performances in meet history. The team secured both girls’ and boys’ Big Team Championships and earned high point team honors across three of the four age groups (11-12, 13-14 and 15-18, boys and girls). This accomplishment highlights the team’s depth and consistency at the upper levels.
“As a coach, I put a lot of time and effort into planning out our championship meets. Through that planning, I usually have a handle on how well the team will do, but this group exceeded every expectation,” said SFY head coach Mike Vansant. “From the first race to the last relay, the energy was electric. What stood out most wasn’t just the wins; it was the way our swimmers competed for each other. That’s what made this truly special.”
Across the weekend, SFY swimmers delivered standout performances in every session. The team recorded 260 personal-best swims, the highest total of the season, along with 25 new individual team records and nine relay records, a testament to both their preparation and determination.
Relay teams across all age groups added to the momentum, delivering first-place finishes in 15 of 24 relays and contributing significantly to the team’s overall victory.
“This meet wasn’t about one swimmer or one race; it was about the collective effort,” Vansant said. “Our relays, our depth, our willingness to step up in big moments, that’s what carried us.”
Looking ahead, SFY’s momentum continues to build. Fourteen swimmers have qualified for the YMCA National Championships, set to take place at the end of this month in Greensboro, N.C. This will be the largest group the Sussex Tsunamis have ever taken to a national meet. Among the swimmers going, Lea Jaoude made history as the youngest national qualifier the program has ever had.
“This group has earned the opportunity to compete on the national stage,” said Vansant. “We’re excited to see what they can do next.”
The historic performance caps off a 5-0 dual-meet season, further cementing SFY’s reputation as one of the premier YMCA swim programs in the region. The team also celebrated a win in the inaugural YMCA of Delaware Association Championship in mid-February.
District winners
Earning wins in the 10-and-under boys’ competition was Max Bradshaw in the 200 free, 50 back and 100 back. In the 11-12 girls, Megyn Chenosky won the 50 back, while Serena Jaoude won the 100 fly. In the 11-12 boys, Gabe Blanshine won the 50 back, 100 back and 200 individual medley, while Graham Knowlton won the 50 breast and 100 breast.
In the 13-14 girls, Eva Csaszar won the 100 and 200 back, while Lea Jaoude won the 50 and 100 breast. Brandt Kuklish won the 200 free in the 13-14 boys, while Gabi Damouni won the 1,000 free, 200 free and 100 back in the 15-18 girls. In the same age group, Victoria Evans won the 50 back, while Mia Jaoude won the 50 and 100 free, and the 50, 100 and 200 fly, and Gretchen Maughan won the 50 and 100 breast.
In the 15-18 boys, Jack Bain won the 500 and 1,000 free, the 200 fly, and the 200 and 400 individual medleys; Brady Schell won the 50 and 100 free, 100 and 200 back, and 50 and 100 fly; Jude Damouni won the 200 free; and Angel Figueroa won the 50 back.
In the 11-12 girls’ relays, the team of Megyn Chenosky, Sophie D’Iorio, Meryl Smith and Angelina Rodriguez won the 200 free relay, while the quartet of Chenosky, Serena Jaoude, D’Iorio and Rodriguez won the 200 medley relay.
In the 11-12 boys’ relays, the team of Abe James, Graham Knowlton, Gabe Blanshine and Joey Bradshaw won the 200 medley relay.
In the 13-14 girls’ relays, the team of Eva Csaszar, Lea Jaoude, Lily Touw and Elise Russo-Kucek won the 200 medley relay, while Csaszar, Lea Jaoude, Touw and Kendall Rhodes captured the 400 medley relay.
In the 13-14 boys’ relays, the team of Brandt Kuklish, Zane Freih, Edward Hale and Braxton Handley won both the 200 and 400 free relays.
In the 15-18 girls’ relays, the team of Gabi Damouni, Isla Touw, Gretchen Maughan and Mia Jaoude won both the 200 and 400 free relays.
In the 15-18 boys’ relays, the team of Brady Schell, Jude Damouni, Jack Bain and Christian Wright won the 200 free relay, while Jude Damouni, Schell, Wright and Eli Oliver teamed up to win the 400 free relay.
