The Swammy Awards celebrate the best in swimming, and the 2025 edition had a particularly intriguing category: Age Group Swimmer of the Year for 11-12-year-olds. But who took home the prestigious title? Let's dive right in!
Girls' Award: Grace Gannon
Grace Gannon, a talented swimmer from Fisher's Area Swim Team, was a strong contender for the Swammy. She turned 13 just before the 2025-26 short course season, but her achievements in the previous year were remarkable. Gannon dominated the long course season as a 12-year-old, securing 24 top-10 times, with eight of them being the fastest in the nation.
Her versatility was on full display, as she led the country in various events, including the 50 fly, 100 fly, and 200 IM during the short course season. She also made her mark in the long course season, leading in the 1500 free, 200 breast, 100 fly, 200 fly, and 400 IM. Gannon's impressive performances earned her the Swammy Award, solidifying her place among the top young swimmers.
Boys' Award: Ayden Tan
The boys' award was a no-brainer, with Ayden Tan's name written all over it. Tan had an extraordinary summer, breaking National Age Group (NAG) records left and right. He finished his 11-12 swimming career with an impressive seven NAG records, all set within a three-month period.
Tan's record-breaking spree started in June with the boys' 100 IM, where he shattered a decade-old record. He then went on to break records in the 200 IM, 100 free, 50 fly, and 200 IM in long course pools. But here's where it gets controversial—Tan's final NAG record came in the 50 free, where he narrowly beat a previous record by just 0.03 seconds. Some might argue that such a small margin doesn't warrant a new record, but Tan's consistency and overall performance sealed his place as the Swammy Award winner.
Honorable Mentions
Sara Young from Rockville Montgomery Swim Club and Zaryna Wardlay from Metroplex Aquatics deserve recognition. Young, who turned 12 in 2025, steadily climbed the rankings and now leads the nation in seven events this short course season. Wardlay, who was 12 for most of the long course season, held top times in three events and top-10 times in several others.
Past Winners and a Controversial Twist
The Swammy Awards have a rich history, with past winners including notable swimmers like Michael Andrew and Thomas Heilman. Interestingly, the 2022 and 2023 awards went to Mikayla Tan, who shares a surname with Ayden Tan. Could this be a coincidence, or is there a family legacy at play? And this is the part most people miss—the Swammys often showcase the rise of swimming dynasties.
So, what do you think? Are the Swammy Awards a true reflection of swimming excellence, or is there room for debate? Do you agree with the winners, or do you have other young swimmers in mind who deserve recognition? Share your thoughts and keep the swimming conversation flowing!
