EDWARDSVILLE — Collinsville Gators swimmer Bram Malsbury helped propel his club to a runner-up finish at the Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association championship meet on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center at Edwardsville High School, contributing to two relay wins and earning top individual finishes as the Gators placed second overall and second in the boys standings.
Malsbury swam the lead-off leg for Collinsville’s winning boys 13-18 200-yard medley relay team and swam third on the 13-18 200-yard freestyle relay team, which also took first. Individually, he placed third in the boys 15-18 50-yard freestyle and won the 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard butterfly in the 15-18 age group.
In a post-meet interview, Malsbury said he was satisfied with how he performed.
“I thought I did pretty well,” Malsbury said. “I’m excited to see what is in the future for me.”
Malsbury also credited the Gators’ effort throughout the season, saying the team continued to improve through demanding practices and steady work.
“I’d say that everyone had a great heart,” Malsbury said. “There were practices that were really hard, easy practices. Everybody worked awesome every day. They just pushed through.”
The Gators have improved over the last few years, and Malsbury said he hopes the team can capture a SWISA championship during his remaining time in the program.
“Yeah, I hope so,” Malsbury said. “Next year, or the year after that, my last two years. So, I’m hoping one of these times, we can win.”
Looking ahead, Malsbury said he hopes to continue swimming in college while balancing other activities at Collinsville High School.
“Right now, because I do other extracurriculars and school stuff, right now, I want to swim in college further down the road, if I can,” Malsbury said.
