In a thrilling crescendo to the year 2025, 16-year-old swimming sensation Sutton Forbis left an indelible mark on the aquatic world with her groundbreaking performances at the Washington State Senior SCY Championships—where every stroke counted toward national glory. But here's where it gets exciting: this young talent from the Bellevue Club Swim Team not only boosted her standings across the board but also sparked conversations about the future of youth sports. If you're new to swimming lingo, SCY stands for Short Course Yards, meaning races take place in a 25-yard pool, which is standard for many indoor competitions and demands quick turns and explosive speed. Let's dive into the details of this event held from December 18-21 in Federal Way, Washington, and explore how Forbis and others redefined what it means to dominate the water.
Having already committed to NC State, Forbis aimed to solidify her legacy, and she did just that by achieving personal bests in five events, clinching first place in four of them. Imagine the dedication it takes to push your limits repeatedly—personal bests are those magical moments when an athlete shatters their previous record, often reflecting intense training and mental toughness. For Forbis, this meet was a showcase of her versatility, as she triumphed in the 200 backstroke with a blazing 1:54.35, the 100 butterfly in 53.46, the 200 butterfly in 1:58.74, and the 200 individual medley in 2:00.44. She narrowly missed the top spot in the 50 butterfly, finishing second in 24.02, but hey, this was still a personal best that propelled her to second place nationally among 16-year-old girls for the season. And this is the part most people miss: her broader rankings speak volumes about her prowess—she sits at second in the 200 backstroke, seventh in the 100 fly, eighth in the 200 fly, and tenth in the 200 IM. For beginners wondering why this matters, national rankings like these are calculated by USA Swimming based on times submitted throughout the year, highlighting who’s leading in each age group and event.
Forbis's individual brilliance extended to her team's success, helping Bellevue Club Swim Team secure the girls' team title with an impressive 1,125 points. Meanwhile, the Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club claimed victory in the boys' and combined team categories. It's fascinating how team points add up from individual and relay performances, rewarding depth and consistency across a squad.
Beyond Forbis, the meet featured other standout performers who added layers of competition and inspiration. Take Clare Watson, an 18-year-old committed to Stanford from Bellevue Club—she won four girls' events, including a nail-biting edge over Forbis in the 50 backstroke with a personal best of 23.96. Watson also claimed the 100 freestyle in 49.68, the 200 freestyle in 1:49.55, and the 500 freestyle in 4:54.76, all personal bests that underscore her endurance and speed. In the girls' lineup, Vanderbilt-bound Sophie Pham from Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club excelled in backstroke events, winning the 50 back in 25.61 and the 100 back in 55.45.
Shifting to the boys, 16-year-old Charlie Cancelmo of Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club made waves with victories in the 100 freestyle (44.42), 200 freestyle (1:37.07), and 200 butterfly (1:46.82), each a personal best. Interestingly, in the 15-16 boys' age group this season, Cancelmo holds the top spot in the 200 fly with a 1:42.23 set just a week prior at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships—West, while ranking seventh in the 100 free and ninth in the 200 free. Then there's Owen Stauffer, a 16-year-old from Issaquah Swim Team, whose 22.16 split in the 50 back leg of the 200 medley relay shot him to first place in that event for the boys' 15-16 age group this year. Aaron Bell, an 18-year-old Issaquah swimmer headed to Brown, dominated the 50 freestyle in 20.16 and the 50 backstroke in 22.14. And don't overlook Grant Bellin, a 15-year-old from KING, who won the 200 backstroke in 1:44.56, earning him second place among 15-year-old boys this season in that event.
Wrapping up the team standings, here's a quick look at the top five in each category to give you a sense of the competitive landscape:
Girls’ Team Rankings — Top 5
1. Bellevue Club, 1125
2. Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club, 949
3. KING, 795
4. Cascade Swim Club, 201.5
5. Spokane Waves, 191
Boys’ Team Rankings — Top 5
1. Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club, 835.5
2. KING, 660
3. Issaquah Swim Team, 548
4. Bellevue Club, 457
5. Wave Aquatics, 423.5
Combined Team Rankings — Top 5
1. Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club, 1784.5
2. Bellevue Club, 1582
3. KING, 1455
4. Issaquah Swim Team, 593
5. Wave Aquatics, 584.5
But here's where it gets controversial: with athletes as young as 15 or 16 committing to college programs and chasing national rankings, is this the pinnacle of success, or does it risk burning out these talents too soon? Some argue that early commitments provide structure and resources for growth, while others worry it pressures kids to prioritize sports over education or well-rounded development. And this is the part most people miss—how do we balance fostering elite swimmers with ensuring their long-term happiness and health? What do you think: should high school athletes focus solely on podiums, or is there value in exploring other interests? Are national rankings a true measure of potential, or just a snapshot in time? Share your opinions in the comments below—do you agree that youth like Forbis are ahead of the curve, or is there a counterpoint we should consider?
