The Alliance Riptides had a remarkable 2025, breaking more than 100 BRAHTS Swim League records over the course of the summer. With 500 events in the league over the course of five meets, the Riptides overturned one-fifth of the record book.
Two of the most consistent performers this season were sisters Allie and Reese Armstrong.
Allie, competing in the 9–10 girls’ division, put together one of the most impressive seasons the league has ever seen. She went undefeated in her 20 individual races, setting a new record in every single one. On top of that, she swam on eight record-breaking relays. To the team’s knowledge, no swimmer has ever completed a season of that scale in league history.
Her older sister, Reese, swimming in the 13–14 division, added more records to her name in the 50 fly, 50 back, 200 free, and 400 free spanning the meets, as well as contributing to several relay records..
The Machado family was again central to the Riptides’ success. Emma Machado, now moving on to swim for Northern State University, closed her Riptides career with multiple individual records including the 100 IM, 200 free, 100 free, 50 free, 50 fly, and 50 breast, and was a key roleon the record breaking senior relay teams.
Her brother Aidan Machado emerged as the senior boys’ leader, breaking individual marks in the 15–18 division and anchoring both the freestyle and medley relay squads to new records. Little brother and team newcomer Chase Machado also earned his place in the record book with the 9–10 boys’ 25 free and 25 back.
The Riptides’ strength wasn’t limited to a few names. Charlotte Bloyd set multiple new marks in the 8U girls’ division in the 25 fly and free,, 50 free, and 100 IM, while her brother Grant repeatedly broke the 13–14 boys’ 200 IM at most of the meets. Both of them, as well as their sister Quinn, contributed to record breaking relays. Canton Devlin added new standards in the 8U boys’ 25 breast and 25 free, and Kale Hulquist set the 11–12 girls’ 50 back record a couple times as well as garnering more relay records.
Hayden Kozal also stood out with a new 9–10 girls’ 25 fly record, along with her contributions to multiple relays.
Relay Records
The Riptides consistently outpaced league standards in relays, producing record-setting teams in every age group.
8 & Under
– Alliance (6/14) – 100 Medley Relay: Emersyn Graviss, Canton Devlin, Charlotte Bloyd, Brixtynn Kozal
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 100 Medley Relay: Emersyn Graviss, Canton Devlin, Charlotte Bloyd, Mikaila Marsteller
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 100 Free Relay: Canton Devlin, Brixtynn Kozal, Mikaila Marsteller, Charlotte Bloyd
– Hemingford (7/12) – 100 Free Relay: Mikaila Marsteller, Brixtynn Kozal, Canton Devlin, Charlotte Bloyd
9–10
– Alliance (6/14) – 100 Medley Relay: Tucker Hulquist, Allie Armstrong, Hayden Kozal, Jack Sautter
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 100 Medley Relay: Chase Machado, Hayden Kozal, Allie Armstrong, Jack Sautter
– Sidney (6/21) – 100 Medley Relay: Chase Machado, Allie Armstrong, Hayden Kozal, Jack Sautter
– Hemingford (7/12) – 100 Medley Relay: Chase Machado, Hayden Kozal, Allie Armstrong, Jack Sautter
– Alliance (6/14) – 100 Free Relay: Hayden Kozal, Kian Richey, Jack Sautter, Allie Armstrong
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 100 Free Relay: Hayden Kozal, Jack Sautter, Chase Machado, Allie Armstrong
– Sidney (6/21) – 100 Free Relay: Hayden Kozal, Jack Sautter, Chase Machado, Allie Armstrong
– Hemingford (7/12) – 100 Free Relay: Hayden Kozal, Jack Sautter, Chase Machado, Allie Armstrong
11–12
– Alliance (6/14) – 200 Free Relay: Kale Hulquist, Quinn Bloyd, Declan Kirchner, Penn Vergil
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 200 Medley Relay: Declan Kirchner, Quinn Bloyd, Kale Hulquist, Penn Vergil
13–14
– Alliance (6/14) – 200 Medley Relay: Tatum Devlin, Paxton Richey, Reese Armstrong, Grant Bloyd
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 200 Medley Relay: Tatum Devlin, Paxton Richey, Reese Armstrong, Grant Bloyd
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 200 Free Relay: Reese Armstrong, Tatum Devlin, Paxton Richey, Grant Bloyd
– Hemingford (7/12) – 200 Medley Relay: Kale Hulquist, Tatum Devlin, Reese Armstrong, Grant Bloyd
15–18
– Alliance (6/14) – 200 Medley Relay: Jadyn Aguallo, Emma Machado, Aidan Machado, Keegan Marsteller
– Sidney (6/21) – 200 Medley Relay: Avery Gomez, Emma Machado, Aidan Machado, Jadyn Aguallo
– Bridgeport (6/28) – 200 Free Relay: Emma Machado, Ryleigh Mashburn, Keegan Marsteller, Aidan Machado
– Hemingford (7/12) – 200 Free Relay: Emma Machado, Nathaniel Suit, Keegan Marsteller, Aidan Machado
The Riptides were led by Head Coach Seth Hulquist with assistants Brock Brass, Gracie Johnson, Kelly Huff, and Keith Hayner. Their steady approach and focus on development helped produce record-setting performances across every age group.
This summer showed what can happen when talent and teamwork come together. The Riptides broke records in every age group, highlighted by Allie Armstrong’s unprecedented 20-for-20 season and Emma Machado’s final season of domination. These performances — along with contributions from dozens of teammates — set a new standard for the program and gave every swimmer and Alliance athletics something to be proud of.
(Photos Courtesy of Just Shoot Me Photographics and Erin Armstrong)