Rapid City, S.D. — South Dakota Swimming has officially awarded the bid to host the 2026 South Dakota State A Long Course Championships to Rushmore Swim Team (RST) in partnership with the City of Rapid City. The state championship meet will take place July 24–26, 2026.

The three-day championship event is expected to draw nearly 400 swimmers from across South Dakota, bringing athletes, coaches, families, and spectators to Rapid City for a weekend of high-level competition.

In addition to hosting the state championship, the Rushmore Swim Team will also welcome swimmers back to Rapid City earlier in the summer for its annual Coach Beth Rushmore Summer Classic, June 12–14, 2026. This popular invitational meet is projected to attract more than 300 swimmers from seven states, further highlighting Rapid City as a regional hub for competitive swimming.

Both events will be held at the Roosevelt Swim Center, home to a state-of-the-art, ten lane, Olympic size 50 meter outdoor pool. This premier aquatic facility offers a high-quality competitive environment. 

“These two meets represent fantastic opportunities to showcase Rapid City’s awesome aquatic facilities, our strong local swim community, and allows families to explore the beautiful Black Hills,” shared Rushmore Swim Team president Stacy Huether. “We are excited to welcome athletes and families from across South Dakota and the surrounding region.”

Admission to both swim meets is free and open to the public. The community is encouraged to attend and support these outstanding athletes.

The Rushmore Swim Team is a member of USA Swimming and South Dakota Swimming, Inc. The team offers year-round quality, technical, and competitive instruction by professionally trained coaches for swimmers of all ages and abilities. For more information, please contact Rushmore Swim Team at RushmoreSwimTeam@gmail.com.