Swimmers to converge on Kenton

Submitted information

KENTON — More than 500 swimmers and their families will descend on Kenton  on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, for the 44th Western Ohio Aquatics League (WOAL) Championship. The WOAL meet is for swimmers aged 5-18 who are members of a league team.

The Kenton Municipal Swimming Pool is the host site for the 2026 Swim Champs and will host teams from Ada, Bluffton, Findlay, Kenton, Shawnee Country Club, Wapakoneta, Westside and Van Wert. The eight teams will compete for the 2026 league title.

Events will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, July 10^, and will conclude around 2 p.m. Day two of championships will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 11^, and will conclude around 3 p.m. The league champs will be crowned at the end of day two.

“The WOAL Swim Championships are a celebration of our communities,”

said Jason Howe, Kenton area swim team WOAL pool representative and head official. “They teach young swimmers the value of sportsmanship, friendly competition, and having fun while striving to do their best. Just as importantly, they give older swimmers the opportunity to mentor younger swimmers, creating a positive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and enjoy the sport of swimming,”

Each year, the championships rotate between the Bluffton, Kenton, and Wapakoneta pools.

On Saturday, one female and one male WOAL 2026 high school graduating swimmer will be awarded the Beverly R. Little Memorial Scholarship in recognition of their participation in the WOAL Swim League.  The Lima Mayor’s trophy will also be awarded by Kenton Mayor Lynn Webb to recognize outstanding individual(s) service to the WOAL.

Local companies and individual sponsors for the WOAL include; Diamond M Veterinary Clinic, Graphic Packaging, HeartLight Pharmacy Services, Hixon Zuercher Capital Management, JTB Tech, LLC, JS PRO Display, Kenton Fire Department, Orthopedic Institute of Ohio, Precision Aerial Solutions, LLC, Quest Federal Credit Union, Rogers Insurance, Rudolph Foods, Scooters Coffee, SHC Entertainment & Technology, T&D Interiors, Inc., The Velvet Monkey Retreat, and the YMCA of Van Wert.

Heat Winner Sponsors include Wilson’s, Ohio Northern University, and SHC Entertainment & Technology.

Admission is free and open to the public. Food and beverage purchases will be available throughout the event at the pool concession stand and visiting food trucks.