Two Bobcat Swim Club athletes qualify for national competitions

Swimmers from Southeastern Ohio club headed to high-profile national events

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:02am

A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of deep blues, aqua greens, and bright yellow, conceptually representing the motion and energy of competitive swimming.The vibrant, geometric style captures the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the Bobcat Swim Club's national qualifiers.Athens Today

Two athletes from the Bobcat Swim Club in Athens, Ohio have qualified to compete in prestigious national swimming competitions after standout performances at recent regional and state-level events. The club, which draws swimmers from across Southeastern Ohio, has produced these two qualifiers who will now represent their community on the national stage.

Why it matters

Qualifying for national swimming competitions is a major achievement that showcases the hard work and talent of these young athletes from the Bobcat Swim Club. It also highlights the strength of the club's training program and its ability to develop top-tier swimmers from the local community.

The details

The two Bobcat Swim Club athletes who have qualified for national competitions are Samantha Lee, age 16, and Ethan Nguyen, age 14. Samantha qualified for the USA Swimming National Championships in the 200-meter butterfly event, while Ethan qualified for the Junior National Championships in the 100-meter breaststroke.

  • Samantha and Ethan qualified for their respective national competitions in recent regional and state swim meets held over the past two months.
  • The USA Swimming National Championships will take place in August 2026.
  • The Junior National Championships will be held in July 2026.

The players

Bobcat Swim Club

A competitive swim club based in Athens, Ohio that trains athletes from across Southeastern Ohio.

Samantha Lee

A 16-year-old swimmer from the Bobcat Swim Club who qualified for the USA Swimming National Championships in the 200-meter butterfly event.

Ethan Nguyen

A 14-year-old swimmer from the Bobcat Swim Club who qualified for the Junior National Championships in the 100-meter breaststroke.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so proud of Samantha and Ethan for all their hard work and dedication. They've really put Athens on the map for competitive swimming.”

— Jill Watkins, Head Coach, Bobcat Swim Club

“Qualifying for these national events is a dream come true. I can't wait to represent my community and club on the biggest stage.”

— Samantha Lee

What’s next

Samantha and Ethan will continue their rigorous training regimens in preparation for their respective national championship competitions this summer.

The takeaway

The success of these two Bobcat Swim Club athletes showcases the strength of the club's program and its ability to develop top-tier swimmers from the local community, putting Athens on the map for competitive swimming.