BHS Boys Finish Runner-Up at State Swim Meet and Girls Fourth as Coach Jan Grisso's Career Concludes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 20, 2026
By Rich Stevens
For Connect-Bridgeport
George Washington’s Kenneth McGlothen slapped the water and pumped his fist after anchoring the 400-yard freestyle relay on Friday at the West Virginia State Swimming Championships at Morgantown’s Peak Aquatic Center.
The celebration wasn’t in reaction to his finishing behind Morgantown senior Christian Hammer in the event’s final leg but the fact that it secured the boys championship, giving the Patriots a clean sweep at Mylan Park.
George Washington would win with 83 points. Bridgeport was just off the pace with 79 points to finish second.
The BHS girls would also be four points from the top spot, but managed to finish fourth with 54 points behind GWHS's 58, Parkersburg's 57, and Morgantown's 55.
The GW teams have combined for 22 titles, each winning 11 since the sport became sanctioned in 1999. The Patriots also won both crowns from 2013-15 and 2020-21.
This was the final event for longtime Bridgeport coach Jan Grisso, who is the only coach the program has had. The 1972 graduate of Washington Irving High began her career in 1992 – the sport wouldn’t be sanctioned by the Secondary School Activities Commission for another seven years.
The first 10 boys championship trophies went to Fairmont Senior. Bridgeport broke through in 2010, won its second in 2019, and third last year. The Indians also were runners-up 11 times, putting them first or second in 14 of the 27 championships.
The Bridgeport girls, whose last championship came last year, also finished as runners-up in 2019.
This marks the first year in which boys and girls team champions were crowned in two divisions, giving the state four team titlists for the first time.
One of the day’s top performances belonged to Parkersburg sophomore Levi Morr. He finished with a 4:36.36 to set a record in the boys 500-yard freestyle, a full five seconds better than his time in the preliminaries.
The Robert C. Byrd boys team won its first championship, claiming the first Division 2 title.
Only one team remained in the pool to decide Division 2 girls when a reswim of the 400 freestyle relay was announced. Competitors reportedly couldn’t hear the starter during the initial run. Teams were given the opportunity to reswim, with all but Hoover declining. Needing a time of 3:50.52, the Huskies wrapped up the day with a 3:53.15 to finish second behind the Tigers.
Complete results from the meet can be found HERE.
Here are the All-Tournament selections.
Boys Division I: Levi Moor (Parkersburg), Kenneth McGlothen (George Washington), John Humphreys (St. Albans), Tred Bennington (Fairmont Senior), Christian Hammer (Morgantown), Sawyer Wright (Musselman)
Boys Division II: Zach Lanning (Charleston Catholic), Alex Mihalovich (Wheeling Central), Isaiah Starks (Philip Barbour), Armondo Montero (Robert C. Byrd), Liam Riley (Sissonville), Joel Casto (Elkins)
Girls Division I: Claire Ciemania (Fairmont Senior), Delany Snodgrass (Parkersburg), Emma Ahmed (Bridgeport), Ellie Perella (Morgantown), Monica Fisher (University), Molly George (Wheeling Park)
Girls Division II: Izzy Paulson (Charleston Catholic), Ashton Walker (Herbert Hoover), Liza Saas (Robert C. Byrd), Lilly Irons (Elkins), Isabella McGrady (Doddridge County), Aleah Irons (Elkins)
Editor's Note: Top photo is of the BHS boys team with their runner-up trophy and coaching staff. Second photo shows the BHS boys winning 200 freestyle relay team state championship team. From left are Nate Dodson, Cole Parsons, James Hadjis, and Patrick Hammond. They won with a time of 1 minute, 30.42 seconds. Parson is shown competing in the third photo as well. In the bottom photo, Brooklyn Richmond is shown helping the girls team, despite limited numbers, manage a fourth place finish at the state meet. All photos above are by Joe LaRocca. Photo below of Hadjis is from the WVSSAC.
