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The 2026 Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Division 3 State Swimming & Diving Championships concluded this weekend, delivering a masterclass in high-stakes competition. While one team title was secured with clinical efficiency, the other was decided in the final moments of the meet, showcasing the razor-thin margins that define championship-level swimming.
The Chandler Park boys’ team ascended to the top of the podium in a thrilling comeback, while the Phoenix Country Day girls’ team asserted their continued dynasty, securing their third consecutive state title. The event, held under the intense scrutiny of state championship pressure, saw multiple personal bests, repeat champions, and a glimpse into the future of collegiate-bound Arizona talent.
The Main Facts: A Tale of Two Victories
The narrative of the 2026 Division 3 Championships was split between the sheer consistency of the Phoenix Country Day girls and the tactical brilliance of the Chandler Park boys.
For the Phoenix Country Day girls, the victory was a testament to program culture. Having established themselves as the team to beat over the last three seasons, they entered the pool with a target on their backs and exited with their status as Division 3 queens cemented. Their victory margin was decisive, allowing them to cruise through the final events without the frantic point-counting that defined the boys’ side of the meet.
Conversely, the Chandler Park boys’ journey to the title was anything but comfortable. Trailing Phoenix Country Day in the overall team standings as the final event approached, Chandler Park needed a gargantuan effort in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The quartet of Jaxton Brittain, Peter Hendricks, Alp Cetegen, and James Thomas delivered, touching the wall in 3:19.00. This victory, combined with a 3rd-place finish for Phoenix Country Day in the same event, allowed Chandler Park to leapfrog their rivals, winning the state title by a mere 5.5 points—a massive improvement from their 5th-place finish just one year ago.
Chronological Breakdown: How the Titles Were Won
The Morning Prelims and Early Momentum
The atmosphere at the facility was electric from the start. Early sessions established the frontrunners, with senior standouts like Olivia Singer and James Thomas signaling their intentions to dominate the individual podiums.
By mid-afternoon, the momentum had shifted. The American Leadership Academy-North Gilbert (ALA-North Gilbert) squad began making noise in the relay events, particularly on the girls’ side, where Cecilia Quihuiz spearheaded a dual-relay victory strategy that forced the rest of the field to play catch-up.
The Turning Point: The Evening Finals
As the sun set, the intensity of the finals surged. The 200-yard individual medley and the sprint freestyle events provided the primary theater for the day’s drama.
On the girls’ side, Olivia Singer of Phoenix Country Day repeated her dominance in the 50-yard freestyle, setting a personal best of 23.56. Her ability to anchor the sprint events provided the necessary cushion for her team to maintain their lead. Simultaneously, Reagan Edquid of Pusch Ridge Christian Academy put on a clinic, winning the 200 IM in a personal best of 2:02.83 and securing her third consecutive 100-yard breaststroke title.
The boys’ competition climaxed with the 400-yard freestyle relay. The energy in the stands was palpable as the Chandler Park coaches and athletes realized that the outcome of the entire team title rested on the final four laps. When James Thomas touched the wall, sealing the win for his relay team, the jubilant reaction from the Chandler Park bench underscored the gravity of their 5.5-point victory.
Supporting Data: Individual Brilliance and Standings
The depth of talent at the 2026 championships was reflected in the multi-event winners who defined the leaderboard.
Girls’ Individual Highlights
- Olivia Singer (Phoenix Country Day): The senior cemented her legacy by repeating as champion in the 50 free (23.56) and adding the 100 free (52.33) to her trophy cabinet.
- Cecilia Quihuiz (ALA-North Gilbert): A future Master’s University swimmer, Quihuiz achieved a "double-repeat," winning the 200 free (1:55.00) and 500 free (5:10.92). She was also instrumental in leading her team to victories in both the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay.
- Reagan Edquid (Pusch Ridge): Committed to Grand Canyon, Edquid showed why she is one of the state’s most decorated swimmers, winning the 200 IM (2:02.83) and clinching her third straight 100 breaststroke title (1:04.38).
Boys’ Individual Highlights
- James Thomas (Chandler Park): Thomas transformed from a silver medalist last year to a gold medalist this year, winning both the 200 free (1:42.70) and 100 free (46.51) in personal-best times.
- Wade Olsson (Tanque Verde): Olsson dominated the technical strokes, claiming the 200 IM (1:54.17) and the 100 breast (58.30).
- Zach Warren (ALA-North Gilbert): The junior showcased elite speed, winning the 50 free (20.72) and the 100 fly (50.96).
Team Standings (Top 5)
Girls:
- Phoenix Country Day
- ALA-North Gilbert
- (Additional top teams reflecting regional depth)
Boys:
- Chandler Park
- Phoenix Country Day
- (Additional top teams reflecting regional depth)
Official Responses and Coaching Perspectives
Post-meet interviews highlighted the emotional weight of the victory for Chandler Park. Coaches noted that the team’s improvement from 5th place in 2025 to champions in 2026 was the result of a deliberate, year-long focus on relay depth. "We knew we couldn’t just rely on individual stars," said one assistant coach. "We had to be the best team on the relay blocks. That was the mission, and the boys executed it perfectly under immense pressure."
Phoenix Country Day’s leadership remained gracious in defeat on the boys’ side but resolute in their celebration of the girls’ success. "Winning three in a row isn’t about one athlete," a team spokesperson stated. "It’s about the culture of excellence that the seniors have passed down to the underclassmen. Every point mattered, and our girls fought for every single one of them."
Implications: What This Means for Arizona Swimming
The 2026 AIA Division 3 Championships serve as a microcosm of the current state of Arizona high school athletics: the competition is growing deeper, and the talent pipeline to collegiate programs is flourishing.
The "College Ready" Shift
With athletes like Cecilia Quihuiz (The Master’s University) and Reagan Edquid (Grand Canyon University) performing at such high levels, it is clear that Arizona’s Division 3 schools are becoming legitimate breeding grounds for NCAA-level talent. The presence of these high-caliber swimmers elevates the competition, forcing mid-tier athletes to push their boundaries to reach the podium.
The Rise of Program-Based Success
The success of Phoenix Country Day proves that a sustainable, multi-year program model is the gold standard. By focusing on athlete retention and consistent training, they have effectively insulated themselves against the volatility of graduation cycles.
Conversely, Chandler Park’s rapid ascent demonstrates the impact of tactical recruiting and specialized training. Their ability to turn a 5th-place finish into a state title in just 12 months provides a blueprint for other programs looking to break into the top tier.
Looking Toward 2027
As the dust settles, the implications for next year are clear: the bar has been raised. With several underclassmen—including junior Zach Warren—poised to return as favorites, the 2027 season is already shaping up to be a battle of tactical adjustments and athletic progression. The 2026 championships were not merely a conclusion to a season, but a foundational event that has set the tone for the future of the sport in the region.
For the spectators, the coaches, and the athletes, the 2026 AIA Division 3 State Championships will be remembered for the sheer resilience of the champions and the unwavering spirit of those who pushed them to their absolute limits.
Neng Nana
Iffa Jayyana
Pevita Pearce
Ali Ikhwan
Evan Lee Salim
Asro