Ayden and Mikayla Tan Dominate at North Texas Fall Classic
Siblings break eight regional swimming records in their debut meet for Texas Ford Aquatics.
1Record-Breaking Debut Performance
The Lakeside Aquatic Club hosted the annual Fall Classic in Justin, Texas, from November 6 to 8, 2026. The event served as the debut for siblings Ayden and Mikayla Tan following their move to the Dallas area. Together, the pair shattered eight North Texas Swimming Local Swimming Committee records during the weekend competition.
2Ayden Tan's Historic Dominance
Fourteen-year-old Ayden Tan set six new LSC records in his first meet representing Texas Ford Aquatics. His performance included a 47.63 in the 100 fly and a 22.38 in the 50 back. These results place him among the top all-time performers in the 13-14 age group for multiple swimming events.
3Mikayla Tan's Strong Showing
Mikayla Tan, a Stanford verbal commit, broke two LSC records during her first North Texas appearance. She clocked a 2:10.37 in the 200 breaststroke prelims and won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 59.79. Her performances demonstrate her continued development as a top-tier recruit in the girls' class of 2028.
4Rising Star Zaryna Wardlay
Metroplex Aquatics swimmer Zaryna Wardlay also made a significant impact by breaking the 13-14 girls' 50 fly record with a 24.51. The reigning North Texas Swimming Female Age Group Athlete of the Year achieved personal bests in five other events, including a 49.15 in the 100 free, highlighting her rapid progression this season.
5Pro Swimmer Luke Barr
Texas Ford Aquatics professional Luke Barr utilized the meet as preparation for the upcoming Short Course World Championships in China. He secured victories in the 200 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke, clocking 1:51.84 and 51.66 respectively. Barr remains a key medal contender for Team USA in the breaststroke events next month.
6Depth of Texas Ford Aquatics
The Texas Ford Aquatics team displayed immense depth, with Evan Pan-Wang winning the 100 fly in 46.98 and the 50 free in 20.32. Other TFA swimmers like Ramika Arangalla and Nathan Kondapalli also achieved career bests, positioning themselves as top-ranked high school swimmers nationally during this early November competition cycle.
7Regional Competitive Landscape
While primarily featuring North Texas teams, the meet attracted participants from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and South Texas. Texas Ford Aquatics dominated the combined team standings with 1465 points, followed by Lakeside Aquatic Club with 1217. This high-level competition environment provided the necessary pressure for athletes to achieve numerous personal best times.
8National High School Rankings
The 100 fly event showcased significant national talent, with Pan-Wang ranked second and Arangalla third among high schoolers this season. Eighth-grader Ayden Tan would rank fifth nationally if compared against high school athletes. These rankings underscore the high concentration of elite swimming talent currently training within the North Texas region.
9Additional Notable Performances
Lily Andruss of Lakeside Aquatic Club achieved a career best of 1:47.11 in the 200 free, while Nitro Swimming's Derek Hernandez-Ojeda won the 200 fly in 1:48.11. These performances reflect the broad range of talent present at the meet, with many athletes hitting significant milestones in their respective age group categories.
10Impact of Talent Migration
The relocation of the Tan siblings to North Texas has immediately altered the regional record books. Their ability to break multiple records in a single meet indicates a shift in the competitive hierarchy. As these athletes continue to train in Frisco, their presence will likely drive higher performance standards across the LSC.
Original article: SwimSwam — Ayden and Mikayla Tan Dominate at North Texas Fall Classic