The Robert C. Byrd High School boys swim team powered its way to the top Friday, February 20th at the 2026 Division II State Championship in Morgantown, capturing the team title with an overall score of 119. The championship performance capped a season defined by resilience, depth and team unity, according to head coach John Kroll.

Looking back to the start of the season, Kroll said the opportunity was there, but the outcome was never guaranteed.

“I wouldn’t say, ‘I saw it coming’, but I knew the opportunity would be there. This Boys team was State Runner-Up last season, and we brought back most of that team and added a couple freshman and a Liberty transfer, so I knew we’d have a shot,” he said.

Kroll said the team’s identity was centered on its support for one another.

“I think people would say the most recognizable thing about this team was how they cheered for each other. We’ve got a generational talent on the girls’ team, we’ve got some really talented boys and girls, and we have some kids that are new to swimming. But watching RCB at swim meets, everyone is cheering for everyone. We all want to see Liza break a record, but her, and the rest of the team, also want to see their teammates do well. I’d say that’s their identity, their desire to see each other succeed.”

Kroll said he sensed early on in the season that the group had special potential.

“I’d say it was the first meet. Mohawk Invitational. The new kids on the team are nervous, it’s a big meet. We’ve got some freshman boys and a girl on the team who was just the lifeguard at the Y two weeks before, now she’s on the team, at her first meet. At that meet, with around 20 teams, the girls do great and the boys finish 5th. Seeing the effort from everyone and entire team swim well helped put my mind at ease. I remember thinking after that meet, ‘we’re going to be pretty good’.”

Senior leadership also played a pivotal role in shaping the culture, Kroll said.

“Since half our roster were seniors, shaping the culture was relatively easy. I had 7 seniors this year, 5 of them swam all four years for me. The kids we have understand what we’re trying to do at RCB. Our culture is to work hard and enjoy the ride. Every meet is a practice for the State Meet. The harder they work during the season, the sweeter the State Meet. And once you swim at RCB for a season, you understand that. It can be a grind, months of hard training, but we do have fun, and at the end, swimming your best at the State Meet makes it all worth it.”

The season nearly began without a place to practice after the team did not have access to a pool two weeks before the swim season officially started.

“We didn’t have a pool two weeks before the season started. That’s a challenge. Like myself, the kids were nervous, anxious, and probably a little bit scared. I tried to keep telling everyone, ‘We will work this out’, but I didn’t know. Once the city let us into the Y, I just reminded the team to not take it for granted. Because of what the city did, we were able to practice more than we ever have, and now, the Boys are State Champs. The Girls team had a great meet. Liza Saas and Armondo Montero are individual state champs and made the All Tournament team. We won two boys relays. If the Y isn’t available, I’m not sure we have a Girls Relay. We had to convince the lifeguard to join the team. I’m not sure what happens without the access to the Y, but I’m sure this ending is at least a little different.”

Kroll said he knows this is a team he’ll look back on with a great deal of pride and gratitude one day, but for now, he’s trying to stay present — soaking in each moment and appreciating how every single athlete played a role in the championship run.

“All I’m thinking about now is how proud I am of everyone. Every member of the state team contributed. It took every boy to win the team title. And with only 4 girls, it obviously took all of them to score as much as we did.”

The state meet produced several unforgettable moments for the team, including one that served as the fitting cap to a historic and special season. For Kroll, it was the culmination of months of hard work, steady progress, and a shared commitment to one another. When the final results were in, it wasn’t just another strong performance, it was a moment that reflected how much this group had grown and accomplished together throughout the year.

“A State Title. Five race wins. Liza setting school records while dominating her races. The Boys winning two relays at the State Meet. Armondo Montero and Anthony D’Anselmi getting 1st and 2nd in the 100 Butterfly. The rest of the team getting best time after best time during the entire State Meet. Jumping in the pool at the end of the meet,” he said.

“Those are all things I won’t ever forget. But I also won’t forget the work that was put in to get us there. These kids deserve what they got, I’m just glad to be there to help guide them to this.”

Kroll also made sure to credit local officials for helping ensure the team had a place to train, noting that their support played an important role in the championship run.

“I do want to thank City Parks, Tiffany Fell, and the City Council of Clarksburg for allowing us to practice at the Y. If Jerry Riffle and the rest of city council don’t get working on this immediately, if Doug Comer and City Parks don’t jump in and start getting the Y ready for us… this is a different story. A part of the Boys Team State Title goes to them.”