The Fallon Barracuda Swim Team made the long trip to Henderson for the Nevada State Swimming Championships on November 8-11 — a four-day meet packed with early mornings, late nights, and some seriously impressive swims.
Four local swimmers, Reagan Morris, Charlie Morris, Dom Mora, and Ben Bryan, qualified for the meet, which only accepts athletes who have already reached the required times in their events. The competition ran from 6:30 a.m. warmups to finals that sometimes stretched until 8:30 or 9 p.m., but the Fallon swimmers handled the grind like pros.
All four athletes improved their times from previous meets, with Reagan Morris taking 2nd place in the 25-yard backstroke, one of the most exciting Barracuda finishes of the weekend.
Swim coach Bree says that in a sport where athletes race the clock as much as they race each other, improvement is the real measure of success.
“Because swimming is such an individual sport, we encourage the kids to focus on beating their own best times,” Bree explained. “When they work toward their own personal records, they get faster, stronger, and more confident. That’s where the real growth happens.”
The Fallon Barracudas are a nonprofit, club-style team staffed by volunteer coaches, which keeps fees manageable and opens the door for kids who might not otherwise have access to competitive sports. The team draws swimmers ages 7 to 16, including homeschooled students and kids whose schools don’t offer athletic programs for their age group.
“Kids just love being with each other,” Bree said. “You have to teach the love of swimming first… then they just soar.”
For many of the swimmers, State wasn’t just about competition — it was about being part of something. From hours on the road to cheering each other through heats, the Barracudas showed up not only as athletes but as a tight-knit group who genuinely enjoy the sport and the community around it.
All four swimmers who competed at State shaved time off their previous races — a strong finish to a long weekend and an encouraging sign for the season ahead.
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