Idaho Falls’ Grimes siblings had high expectations and came home from the state meet as champions

IDAHO FALLS — It was quite a medal haul for the Grimes family at this year’s state swimming championships.

Idaho Falls coach Liz Grimes helped lead the Tigers to a pair of team trophies as the boys and girls squads each finished second in 5A.

Individually, it was the Grimes children standing atop the podium as freshman Rangi Grimes set a 5A state record in the boys 50m freestyle with a time 21.65, easily beating the previous record of 21.95 set in 2021. Grimes also set a 5A state record in the 100m free, clocking 47.87.

Not to be outdone, older sister Mahealani Grimes earned two individual state titles, winning the 100m butterfly and the 100m backstroke for the Tigers.

Each added relay titles as Mahealani was part of the 200m medley relay and Rangi swam on the Tigers’ winning 400m free relay team.

The Grimes siblings earn EastIdahoNews.com Swimmers of the Year for their stellar season.

Mahealani, a junior, said before the meet that she was motivated after finishing second last season.

“My brother (Ethan) got first when he was a senior and my little brother (Rangi) is seeded first in his races so I feel like it would be a good accomplishment for me,” she said.

Ethan Grimes was one of the school’s top swimmers as a senior 2022 when he won the 100m butterfly state title.

This year, Rangi was seeded first in both of his individual events and said prior to his first state meet that he was hoping to add to the family’s medal haul while chasing the state records.

Mission accomplished for the Grimes siblings.