BRIDGEPORT, WEST VIRGINIA – Swimmers from Mountain State Storm, based in North Central West Virginia, delivered an impressive showing at the 2026 East Coast Elite Showcase, the nation’s largest competition for age-group swimmers, held March 31 to April 4 at the North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Participation in the East Coast Elite Showcase is limited to swimmers who meet rigorous qualifying standards, bringing together top young athletes in the country. Mountain State Storm was the only team representing West Virginia among the elite field.
This year’s event featured more than 1,800 swimmers, approximately 16,000 event entries and nearly 110 teams from the United States and Nicaragua. Hosted annually by the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA), the showcase is widely recognized as a national platform for the next generation of high-level competitive swimmers.
Leading the performance for Mountain State Storm was Theodore Davisson of Bridgeport, West Virginia, who delivered a dominant multi-event performance against top-tier competition. He is the great-grandson of Elizabeth Echols of Union, West Virginia. Davisson earned first place in the 50 backstroke; second place in the 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle; third place in the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke; and fourth place in the 100 individual medley.
“When a swimmer places in all of their events at this level, it shows strong development as an all-around athlete,” said Doug Fonder, president and CEO of ISCA. “In age-group swimming, being well-rounded matters, and top-10 finishes across multiple events are a strong indicator of that.”
Davisson, a seventh-grade student at Bridgeport Middle School, holds multiple state records and was named the 2025-2026 West Virginia Local Swimming Committee Male Age Group Swimmer of the Year for ages 11 to 12.
Additional standout performances included Emery Marsh of Bridgeport, who placed fifth in the 50 backstroke. Marsh is a sixth-grade student at Bridgeport Middle School and was named 2025-2026 WV LSC Female Age Group Swimmer of the Year for ages 11 to 12. Maddox Tharp of Bridgeport, placed eighth in the 100 breaststroke. Tharp is a freshman at Bridgeport High School.
Mountain State Storm athletes were guided by coaches Tristan Knapp and Sonia McGrady. Additional team members who qualified for and competed in the 2026 East Coast Elite Showcase included Lucas Baker, Matthew Baker, Addy Burns, Wesley Davisson, Piper DeVault, Kennedy Dovey, Audrey Fenstermacher, Haven Hawkins, Myla Hawkins, Amelia Horne, Landon Hotsinpiller, Jaxon Kupfer, Lincoln McClain, Maddie Pinti, Brooklyn Richmond and Emma Vernon. Lucas Baker and Kennedy Dovey were also named 2025-2026 WV LSC Age Group Swimmers of the Year for ages 8 and under.
“These swimmers competed against some of the best athletes in the country and represented our team and community with pride,” said Knapp. “Their hard work and commitment continue to show in the pool.”
Mountain State Storm is a competitive swim team focused on developing swimmers of all levels through training, teamwork and competition. The program provides opportunities for athletes to compete at the local, state and national levels while building discipline and confidence in and out of the water. To learn more, visit thebridgewv.com.
