Rushmore Tsunami Swimmers Shine in Florida and Wyoming, Return to Rapid City for Holiday Meet
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rushmore Tsunami Swim Team is making waves this winter season, achieving national qualifying times in Florida and securing event wins in Wyoming before returning home to Rapid City, South Dakota, to host the Rushmore Christmas Classic this weekend.
Fifteen members of the team’s senior group traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the RAFC Winter Classic from Dec. 4-7. The meet featured 1,300 swimmers from across the country.
Despite the deep field of elite competition, the swimmers from South Dakota secured several top placements. Izzy Renaud claimed victories in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke events. Owen Johnson earned an overall third-place high point award.
The team achieved several National “A” or faster time standards in Florida. Four individuals qualified for the Speedo Sectionals Championships in multiple events:
- Hunter Johnson (18): 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, 1650 freestyle and 400 IM
- Owen Johnson (17): 100 butterfly, 200 Individual Medley, 100 and 200 breaststroke
- Charlie Ashton (16): 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke
- Izzy Renaud (13): 200 Individual Medley
Additionally, the relay team of Hunter Johnson, Charles Ashton, Owen Johnson and Josh Basely qualified for Speedo Sectionals in the 400 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay.
Three swimmers also punched their tickets to the TYR Futures Championships. Owen Johnson, Charles Ashton and Izzy Renaud all qualified in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events.
While the senior group competed in Florida, nearly 40 Rushmore swimmers traveled to Gillette, Wyoming, to compete in the annual Candy Cane Swim Meet hosted by the Gillette Swim Team. The group achieved several new South Dakota State Championship qualifying times.
Individual event winners in Wyoming included Lukas Bergman, Torin Bergman, Aaron Ainslie, Logan Hunter, Solee Swank, Railynn James and Piper Randall.
The team now turns its attention to local waters for the 2025 Rushmore Christmas Classic. The event runs from Dec. 12-14 at the Roosevelt Swim Center in Rapid City.
The festive meet is expected to draw approximately 300 swimmers from across South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. Spectators are invited to attend free of charge to support athletes from the greater Rapid City-Ellsworth area, Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish, Hot Springs, Chadron, Newcastle, Gillette and Sheridan.1
The Rushmore Swim Team is a member of USA Swimming and South Dakota Swimming, Inc., offering year-round competitive instruction for swimmers of all ages.2 For more information, contact the team at 605-646-2137.
