Menlo News May 06, 2026

Swimmers shine at league, bound for CCS

Fourteen swimmers represent Menlo in 15 events at CCS

The Menlo swim teams continued their strong performances in the relays, and also landed CCS qualifying times, and PRs at the WBAL Championships.

Fourteen swimmers will represent Menlo at CCS in 15 events, starting with the trials Thursday and Friday at Independence High.

The girls’ 200 Medley Relay (Emma Kim, Zoe Chuang, Victoria Yang, and Leila Kao) set the tone early by winning the league title, shaving nearly 3 seconds off a season-best and setting a top time for the school. The girls’ 400 Free Relay (Lainey Guenther, Yang, Chuong and Kim) also secured a massive win.

Kim had a stellar day, winning the 50 Freestyle and the 100 Freestyle. Both of her times were fast enough to be ranked as some of Menlo’s best.

Yang claimed the top spot in the 200 IM and had a great finish in the 100 fly.

Junior Kai Chung delivered an incredible performance on the boys’ side, also winning the 200 IM and having a great finish in the 100 Butterfly.

Sophomore Evan Grant won the 100 Breastroke, almost besting the 1:00 mark, and came in second in the 200 IM.

Other top performances for Menlo:

Freshman Austin Rodde came through with a top Menlo time in the 100 backstroke swimming a 55.73.

Rodde and Guenther dropped around 4 seconds each in their 200 Freestyle time. Freshman David Kishi also improved his times in the 200 IM and the 100 Breastroke moving him comfortably into the top 16.

Casey Gullixson, a freshman, pushed to new personal bests in the girls’ 200 Free, and junior Julianne Christenson dropped nearly 3 seconds in her 200 IM!

Nate Barad, Andres Profit, Eitan Litsur, Brady Henricks, Cooper Phillips, and Jack Broch made Day 2 swims and scored points in their races. On the girls’ side, Ellie Gil, Alexys Blascovich, and Riko Karachiwala all earned finals individual swims.

Head Coach Jamie Frank also noted swimmers and helped relays on Day 2: “Watching you all get some of your best times of the season was so rewarding,” he said.