BERWYN, PA — The Upper Main Line YMCA Swim Team became the first Pennsylvania YMCA program to win the Combined National Championship at the National Long Course Swimming Championship, held July 28 through August 1, overcoming a projected third-place finish with enough roster depth to take the overall title in Ocala, Florida.
The Berwyn-based team sent 43 swimmers to the five-day 2026 championship, which drew more than 450 athletes from YMCA programs nationwide. Thirty-seven UMLY swimmers, or 86% of its roster, advanced to finals and contributed to a performance that put the team atop the combined standings.
UMLY also won the Men’s National Championship for the first time since 2009, while its women’s team finished second nationally.
The combined championship is the first for a Pennsylvania YMCA in the event’s 40-year history, according to the YMCA of Greater Brandywine.
The result came despite UMLY operating with a smaller competitive program than several of its national rivals. The single-branch program has approximately 230 swimmers, compared with about 700 to 1,200 swimmers at several other YMCA associations that finished among the top five.
Head Coach Todd Conrad was named the 2026 Coach of the Meet, his second consecutive year receiving the championship honor. Earlier this year, Conrad was also named a 2026 YMCA Swimming Coach of the Year.
“This championship represents so much more than what happened in the pool during one week,” Conrad said. “It belongs to every athlete, coach, family member, volunteer and alumnus who has invested in this program throughout its 55-year history.”
Individual and relay performances also contributed to UMLY’s championship.
The team’s 800-meter freestyle relay repeated as national champion. Jayden Kwon won the national championship in the 200-meter freestyle, while Sebastian Tith captured the 100-meter breaststroke title.
UMLY’s swimmers represent 21 schools across the region, giving the Berwyn program a roster extending well beyond a single school district.
Those schools include Agnes Irwin, Baldwin, Bishop Shanahan, Coatesville Area Senior, Conestoga, Delaware County Christian, Devon Prep, Downingtown East, Downingtown West, Downingtown STEM Academy, Emmaus, Episcopal Academy, Great Valley, Malvern Prep, Owen J. Roberts, Perkiomen Valley, Unionville, Villa Maria Academy, West Chester East, West Chester Henderson and West Chester Rustin.
Conrad led a coaching staff that also included Owen Edwards, Jamie Krull, Jared Messic, Katie Dijiacomo and Gudrun Graesser. Coaches spent nearly 13 hours on deck each day during the five-day national competition, according to the YMCA.
UMLY entered the championship projected to place third overall. Its ability to advance 37 of 43 swimmers to finals ultimately gave the program enough scoring opportunities across the roster to move ahead of larger competitors.
The championship extends a competitive swimming program that has operated at Upper Main Line YMCA for 55 years.
Bertram L. Lawson II, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, credited Conrad and the coaching staff with developing a program that emphasizes performance alongside leadership and accountability.
“Todd and the UMLY coaching team have built a culture where young people are challenged to pursue excellence while learning resilience, leadership, accountability and what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Lawson said.
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