RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rushmore Swim Team welcomed competitors from across the region to Rapid City, South Dakota, this past weekend for the 2025 RST Rushmore Christmas Classic. Held from Dec. 12 through Dec. 14, the three-day meet showcased significant depth from the local squad, with Rushmore swimmers securing top placements in sprints, distance events and relays throughout the weekend.

In the men’s senior division, the Rushmore Swim Team saw dominant performances from Hunter Johnson and Owen Johnson. Hunter Johnson, 18, displayed speed and endurance, winning the 17 and over 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.79 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 54.32 seconds. He also claimed victory in the grueling 1000-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 10:14.08.

Owen Johnson, 17, excelled in the medley and butterfly disciplines. He secured first place in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:20.08 and won the 200-yard butterfly in 2:01.78. He also took the top spot in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 24.77 seconds.

Aaron Ainslie, 15, was a standout in the 15-16 age group for the Rapid City team. Ainslie won the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 17:43.69 and the 1000-yard freestyle in 10:35.13. His success extended to the backstroke events, where he won the 100-yard backstroke in 56.21 seconds and the 200-yard backstroke in 2:02.70. Ainslie’s leadoff backstroke leg of the 4×100 Medley Relay qualified him for Speedo Sectional Championships, with a time of 55.89.

On the women’s side, Zoe Guillory, 16, led the charge for RST. Guillory won the 15-16 200-yard freestyle in 2:11.90 and the 50-yard backstroke in 31.60 seconds. She also demonstrated her versatility by winning the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 5:33.12.

In the 13-14 girls division, Rushmore swimmer Izzy Renaud recorded multiple wins. She also showcased strong technique in the breaststroke, winning the 100-yard event in 1:08.89 and the 200-yard event in 2:28.27. Izzy won the 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke, the 200 freestyle, and the 100 individual medley. She finished second in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

Her teammate, Callie Pyle, 13, showed dominance in the distance events, winning the 13-14 1650-yard freestyle in 20:34.22. Pyle also secured a victory in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:30.56.

The future of swimming in Rapid City looks bright based on the results from the 11-12 age bracket. Erin Huether, 12, won the 1000-yard freestyle in 12:40.63 and the 100-yard freestyle in 1:06.46. In the boys 13-14 division, Brady Burgess delivered a sweep of victories, including the 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley.

The Fall River Swim Team brought speed to Rapid City, led by sprint specialists Cheyenne Happe and Taylen DeBoer. Happe, 14, sprinted to victory in the 13-14 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.87 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 57.19 seconds. In the men’s 15-16 division, DeBoer, 16, claimed the top spot in the 50-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 23.54 seconds , while also securing a runner-up finish in the 200-yard individual medley.

Spearfish Gold athletes found success in the medley and butterfly races against the Rapid City field. Adlee Rayman, 12, won the 11-12 200-yard individual medley in 2:46.03 and the 100-yard butterfly in 1:14.29. Kinsley Hall, 15, demonstrated endurance in the butterfly discipline, winning the 15-16 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:49.31 and adding a victory in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:13.42.

Wyoming’s Gillette Swim Team saw strong performances in the 8 and under division. Madi Hastings, 8, took first place in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 1:01.90. In the senior age groups, Hannah Wood, 15, was a consistent podium finisher for Gillette, securing second place in the 15-16 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:16.84 and second in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:11.42.

Competitors from the Scottsbluff-based SBSC team also made their mark at the Rapid City meet. Aidan Machado, 17, won the men’s 17 and over 50-yard breaststroke in 34.82 seconds. In the younger age groups, Allie Armstrong, 11, showcased strong breaststroke technique, sweeping the 11-12 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke events with times of 40.51 seconds and 1:30.41, respectively.

While the local team defended their home turf well, the meet also featured strong competition from visiting athletes. Maeve Campbell, 18, representing Deadwood/Lead 76ers, won the 17 and over 200-yard freestyle in 2:02.60 and the 100-yard backstroke in 59.74 seconds.

The meet concluded Sunday afternoon, capping off a busy weekend of competition for the South Dakota swimming community.