Los Alamos Girls Win Hudson Invitational, Seniors Celebrated

Los Alamos High School capped a weekend of competition and celebration on December 12 when the Hilltopper Swim and Dive team hosted the Hudson Memorial Invitational and honored its seniors. More than 250 swimmers from 14 teams took part. The Los Alamos girls finished first overall ahead of Farmington and St. Pius X, and the boys placed fifth in a meet named for longtime local physical education teacher and coach Bill Hudson.

The girls swept all three relay events with state qualifying performances, including the 200 Free Relay composed of Michelle Lo, Lyla Lo, Alma Hurlocker and Samatha Clayton, and the 400 Free Relay made up of Michelle Lo, Grace Nowell, Catherine Price and Samantha Clayton. Individual highlights included Grace Nowell setting a meet record and posting a state qualifying time in the 500 Free with a time of 5:33.67. Michelle Lo qualified in the 100 Butterfly and posted a state cut in the 200 IM. On the boys side, a second place 400 Free Relay and strong individual finishes from Sam Nowell, Peter Maginot and Liam Corey anchored the team effort.

Seniors honored at the event included Sam Nowell, Austin Theye, Malin Eidenbenz, Deb Brug, Catherine Price and Emma Riede, with Madalyn Bailey and Hannah Lee also recognized. The ceremony underscored the dual nature of this weekend as both competitive milestone and community gathering, as young athletes prepare to advance toward state level competition while the program says goodbye to veteran teammates.

Beyond results the meet has local significance for public health and equity. Regular participation in school sports contributes to physical activity, social connection and mental well being for youth across Los Alamos County. The turnout from regional programs also highlights the value of maintaining accessible aquatic facilities, reliable transportation for student athletes and sustained funding for coaching and practice time so that students from diverse backgrounds can benefit.

As the season progresses the Hilltoppers will build on this momentum. The performances at the Hudson Memorial Invitational point to a program with depth and competitive prospects, and they also serve as a reminder that community investment in school athletics supports broader goals of youth health, opportunity and social inclusion.