Soon enough, the pools will open and the horn will sound for the fall 2026 girls swimming and diving season.
We’re splashing into the season by trying to determine who will be crowned All-Greater Rochester Swimmer of the Year at season’s end.
Below is a list of 18 returning swimmers who were named All-Greater Rochester, qualified for an individual swimming event at states, or won an individual Section V title last season. The group includes Pittsford’s Lexi Lombard, who returns for her senior season after being named AGR’s top swimmer in 2025.
The poll will remain open until 8 p.m. Aug. 22. The winner will be announced on the DandCSports Instagram page.
Molly Bennett, Pittsford
Grade: Junior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, won state title in 400 free relay, qualified for states in 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, won Class A section title in 100 breaststroke
Emilia Carey, Our Lady of Mercy
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: Won Class B section title in 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke
Grace Clark, Aquinas
Grade: Junior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, qualified for states in 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, won Class A section title in 100 butterfly
Chloe Coon, Spencerport
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, qualified for states in 100 freestyle, won Class B section title in 100 butterfly
Abby Cummins, Letchworth
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: Won Class C section title in 50 freestyle
Julia Gilbert, Honeoye Falls-Lima
Grade: Freshman
Accomplishments: Won Class C section title in 500 freestyle
Alyssa Hellman, Brighton
Grade: Junior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, placed ninth in diving competition at states, won Class B section title in diving
Addie Henley, Palmyra-Macedon
Grade: Sophomore
Accomplishments: Won Class C section title in 100 breaststroke
Ashlynn Kuby, Penfield
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, qualified for states in 100 backstroke
Charlotte Larzelere, Fairport
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, qualified for states in 100 backstroke, won Class A section title in 100 backstroke
Lexi Lombard, Pittsford
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester Swimmer of the Year, won state title in 400 free relay, placed 7th in 100 freestyle and 8th in 50 freestyle at states, won Class A section title in 100 freestyle
Audrey Miller, Pittsford
Grade: Freshman
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, qualified for states in 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle
Lydia Quagliata, Penfield
Grade: Junior
Accomplishments: Qualified for states in 100 breaststroke
Alivia Rehkopf, Pittsford
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: Qualified for states in 200 freestyle
Brynn Rusho, Fairport
Grade: Sophomore
Accomplishments: All-Greater Rochester, qualified for states in 100 breaststroke
Ailise Sheehan, Our Lady of Mercy
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: Won Class B section title in 200 individual medley
Grace Spanagel, Canandaigua
Grade: Junior
Accomplishments: Won Class B section title in 100 backstroke
Evelyn Striker, Hornell/Arkport/Canaseraga
Grade: Senior
Accomplishments: Won Class C section title in 100 backstroke
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Vote: Who will be the best Section V girls swimmer in 2026?
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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By Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
