Batesville boys swim team claim fifth straight state swimming title

The Batesville swimming boys team captured its fifth consecutive Arkansas 5A State Championship over the weekend, capping a dominant performance that included two new records and multiple individual titles.

The boys finished first among 20 competing teams, with swimmers Parker Rodgers and Sawyer Rudisill each claiming multiple event crowns. Rodgers won both the 50 and 100 freestyle, while Rudisill swept the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke — the latter setting a new team record.

The boys opened the meet with a new state record in the 200 medley relay, where Sam Smith, Sawyer Rudisill, Parker Rodgers, and Albert Harless touched the wall first. The squad closed out the competition by winning the 400 freestyle relay with the same four swimmers.

Head coach Alfredo Aleman credited the team’s character as much as its speed.

“From the very first practice to the final race, our swimmers didn’t just improve their times — they grew as leaders, teammates, and individuals of character,” Aleman said.

Sam Smith added a runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke, while Albert Harless placed third in the 50 freestyle. Silas Rudisill also earned third in the 100 backstroke.

The Batesville girls team finished ninth out of 20 teams. Bridget Lewis led the way with a fifth-place finish in the 100 butterfly and eighth in the 50 freestyle. The girls competed in three relay events, placing seventh in both the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay.

Full Boys Results
200 Medley Relay: Smith, Sawyer Rudisill, Rodgers, Harless — 1st (NEW STATE RECORD)
200 Freestyle: Smith — 4th; Sullins — 11th
200 IM: Sawyer Rudisill — 1st (State Champion); Kempf — 12th; Hollister — 13th
50 Freestyle: Rodgers — 1st (State Champion); Harless — 3rd
100 Butterfly: Phelps — 5th; Harless — 9th
100 Freestyle: Rodgers — 1st (State Champion); Fulbright — 11th
500 Freestyle: Phelps — 6th; Sullins — 7th; Kempf — 15th
200 Freestyle Relay: Silas Rudisill, Fulbright, Sullins, Phelps — 7th
100 Backstroke: Smith — 2nd; Silas Rudisill — 3rd
100 Breaststroke: Sawyer Rudisill — 1st (State Champion, NEW TEAM RECORD); Silas Rudisill — 4th
400 Freestyle Relay: Rodgers, Smith, Harless, Sawyer Rudisill — 1st (State Champions)

Full Girls Results
200 Medley Relay: Johnson, Morales, Lewis, Krug — 9th
200 Freestyle: Morales — 11th
50 Freestyle: Lewis — 8th; Krug — 13th
100 Butterfly: Lewis — 5th
500 Freestyle: Johnson — 14th
200 Freestyle Relay: Krug, Morales, Cunningham, Lewis — 7th
100 Backstroke: Morales — 11th
400 Freestyle Relay: Cunningham, Johnson, Newton, Krug — 7th

Aleman also thanked program sponsors, volunteers, parents, school administration, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, and the Batesville City Council for their support throughout the season.