ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Aquatics Club (EGAC) hosted the 2026 Bill Rose Classic July 16-19 at the Elk Grove Aquatic Center. It is one of the more competitive swim meets in the Sierra Nevada region. There are roughly 1,5000 kids that show up that range from age groups 8-18 for both boys and girls.

This meet tends to attract the top clubs in Northern California, having the highest time standard swimmers competing, as well as swimmers needing to qualify beforehand to compete in this meet. 

Over 40 teams competed to see what club or individual swimmer is the best. The team tents alone covered every open field, with friends and family packed into the stands to come and watch as well. 

The meet’s original name was the “Sierra Nevada Long Course Junior Olympics.” But then in 2016 it was changed to the “Bill Rose Classic” to honor Bill Rose and his dedication to USA Swimming, with Rose being a Sierra Nevada Swimming official for more than 30 years. 

After the four days of swimming and competing, with the results that came out there were team awards and individual awards. The top three teams in each division received an award, as well as the first-through-third-place individual winners in each age group for both boys and girls.

The Elk Grove Aquatics Club did a great job hosting the tournament, making sure every race started efficiently and on time along with having the kids know that they need to be ready at the time that it says for their age group and division. 

The Elk Grove Aquatics Club has provided swimmers great experiences for the last 40 years. Highly trained coaches work together to make sure to help reach the potential of every swimmer. Coaches will tailor instructions based on what swimmers need to improve. 

“Never Settle,” that is their motto, and that is what they do. They work and provide training year-round, working technique and conditioning, and consistently qualifying athletes for the Sierra Nevada Championship meets like the Bill Rose Classic. 

And the swimmers have not finished for the year just yet. More meets are taking place on July 24 and July 30, while they are also practicing every day. 

They are living up to their motto, pushing themselves to be better every day.