CHESTERTOWN — It was a bad day to be a record at the Sho’men Invitational, the annual “long distance” swim meet held at Washington College.
Six meet records fell at the July 11, 2026 meet.
Sho’men swimmer Rileigh Thompson of Worton broke two records in the division for 12- and 13-year-old girls, including one that had stood for nearly two decades.
Thompson won the 100-yard butterfly in record time of 1 minute, 1.2 seconds — 8 seconds faster than her nearest challenger.
The previous record of 1:01.90 was set by Talbot Swim Club’s Isabel Finch in 2017.
Thompson also lowered the meet record in the 100 freestyle to 55.19, winning the race by 5 seconds. She bettered the previous mark of 55.47 that Megan Evans of Sho’men Aquatics set in 2007.
In an interview after the meet, 13-year-old Thompson was thoughtful when talking about breaking records.
“First of all, I didn’t even know the records and second, I am here for the fun,” Thompson said.
“I love swimming. I love it all,” she added.
Thompson, who won four events, also spoke about her mindset heading into big meets.
“I just go full out,” she told The Evening Enterprise. “I always just think that somebody is faster than me, and I have to beat them.”
At the Sho’men Invitational, the distances are longer than traditional age-group dual meets — swimmers who compete during the season at 25 yards do so at 50, and those who compete at 50 yards do so at 100. Other events, like the 200-yard individual medley, also are included.
The age groups at the invitational differ from a regular-season meet, and there are two sessions: 16 and older, 14-15 and 12-13 girls and boys take the pool in the morning followed by 7 and younger, 8-9 and 10-11 girls and boys in the afternoon session.
This year’s invitational drew about 170 swimmers from eight Delmarva Swim Association teams.
Medals were awarded to the top three place-finishers in each event, and ribbons were handed out to those who placed fourth through eighth.
New this year, tiny glass ducks of various colors were presented to swimmers who won their heats.
The biggest prize is the perpetual Ann Dyke Trophy, which goes to the swimmer who establishes the most meet records.
That honor this year went to Emersyn Rogers of the Cecil YMCA, who set four records in the girls 10-11 division while winning the 50 butterfly, 50 breaststroke, 100 freestyle and 100 individual medley.
Collectively, seven Sho’men won 12 races.
The morning session winners were: Kinsley Cunningham [12-13 girls], 100 breaststroke; Rileigh Thompson [12-13 girls], 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley; Angus Roberson [16 and older boys], 100 backstroke; and Will Meyer [16 and older boys], 100 breaststroke.
The afternoon session winners were: Calvin Mann [8-9 boys], 50 backstroke and 50 breaststroke; Owen Cunningham [10-11 boys], 100 freestyle and 100 individual medley; and Charlie Peregoy [11-12 boys], 50 breaststroke.
One Response
Really enjoy reading your writings Quinten and congratulations to all the swimmers for your enthusiasm and hard work.