PCHS boys, girls capture 4A swimming state titles in dramatic finish

Photo: 4A State Champions – PCHS Girls and Boys // Photo credit Jessica Siegrist

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City High School’s swim teams delivered dominant performances at the 4A state championships, with both the girls and boys capturing state titles in a meet that tested their resilience and determination.

The Miners’ girls, entering as favorites, overcame an early setback in the 200-yard medley relay due to a disqualification on an illegal turn. Despite the loss of a first-place finish, they rallied to win the remaining two relays—the 200-yard freestyle and the 400-yard freestyle—securing a decisive victory with 288 points. Desert Hills finished second with 227 points, while Sky View placed third with 173.

Senior Gretchen Lane contributed crucial points with a second-place finish in both the 500-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, helping the Miners extend their lead and claim the state championship by more than 60 points.

The boys’ competition came down to the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay, where PCHS entered trailing Murray High School by six points. With Murray needing only a top-four finish to secure the title, the Miners knew they had to win. They opted to swim conservatively rather than chase a school record, clinching the relay victory in 3 minutes, 14.78 seconds—nearly six seconds ahead of second place. Murray finished fifth in the event, allowing Park City to edge them out for the team championship, 264-258. Ridgeline placed third with 197 points.

“Our team did an incredible job,” said senior Keegan Elgie, who won 4A Swimmer of the Year after claiming individual victories in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle, along with wins in both the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays. “We knew going into the meet that we had a real shot, and everyone stepped up when it mattered most. We worked hard all season, and thanks to our amazing coaches, that hard work paid off.”

Elgie set a new PCHS record in the 500 free with a time of 4:35.67. He was also part of the Miners’ 200 free relay team—alongside Logan Siegrist, Harrison Bae, and Jaime Taylor—that set another school record, finishing in 1:28.01.

Winning his individual honor on the same night that head coach Gadi Shamah was named 4A Men’s Team Coach of the Year made the moment even more special for Elgie.

“Winning 4A Swimmer of the Year as a senior is a reminder that hard work truly pays off,” Elgie said. “But I wouldn’t be here without Gadi or my teammates pushing me every day in practice. Winning my award when Gadi got Coach of the Year really made the award that much more meaningful to me.”

Shamah credited the athletes, coaching staff, and the support of parents and families for the team’s success.

“Congratulations to both the girls’ and boys’ teams—their hard work and dedication paid off,” Shamah said. “The ups and downs of the meet really tested our teams’ resilience, so to come out on top with both state titles is huge. The coaching staff, parents, and families were amazing and supportive of all of our swimmers. It was a special night to get both state titles.”

Park City’s victory marked a dramatic turnaround for the boys’ team, which had previously lost to Murray at the Region X championships (454-398). With their state championship win, the Miners flipped the script on their region rivals, ensuring a memorable conclusion to their season.