West Scranton’s Jordan Ayala competes in the 200 freestyle during the swim meet at Abington Heights High School in Clarks Summit on Thursday, Jan. 08, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
West Scranton’s Roy Ayala competes in the 200 IM during the swim meet at Scranton High School on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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West Scranton’s Jordan Ayala competes in the 200 freestyle during the swim meet at Abington Heights High School in Clarks Summit on Thursday, Jan. 08, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Roy Ayala climbed out of the pool, looked up at the scoreboard clock on the wall at the Scranton High School Natatorium and saw he set another record.
During his illustrious four-year varsity swimming career at West Scranton, Ayala carved himself quite a legacy. He has records, owns district and subregional medals and proudly represents the Invaders in the most competitive championship-level meets.
He’s had fun.
Most of all, he cherishes the opportunity to share in his experiences with his younger brother, Jordan, also a member of the West Scranton team.
On Friday, in a Lackawanna League boys dual meet against Dunmore, the Ayalas contributed to another win. While celebrating their success, the siblings realize their time as teammates is running short as the calendar heads toward the postseason.
“Throughout the years, I have really enjoyed this and been very excited for each season,” Roy, 17, said. “Overall, it pushes me to continue to work to get more records. We have great swimmers here from Scranton Prep, Abington Heights and Delaware Valley, and they really push me to be the best that I can be.
“Having my brother here is great. We have a great relationship. Occasionally, we butt heads, but it is all brotherly love.”
As a freshman, Roy won a silver medal in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:02.02 and won a sixth-place medal in the 100 butterfly at the District 2-4 Class 3A subregional meet. He earned the first of his three consecutive All-Region selections.
In 2024, Roy won a gold medal in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:00.73 and qualified for the PIAA championships. He also won a silver in the 100 breaststroke (59.73) at the subregional meet. He was the first West Scranton boys swimmer to win a gold medal at the district level.
Last season, his first with his brother as a teammate, Roy won silver medals in the 200 IM (1:57.53) and the 100 breaststroke (59.17). Williamsport’s Evan Summers won both races. He represented District 4 in the subregional, making Roy the District 2 champion.
Roy also teamed with Jordan to win a fifth-place medal in the 200 free relay and a sixth-place medal in the 200 medley relay. Jordan finished third to Roy and Summers in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.17.
Being teammates for the second straight year already made this season rewarding for the Ayala brothers.
“I think that this has been a great opportunity for us to grow as brothers and teammates,” Jordan, 15, said. “We help push each other to be better at every meet that we compete in. It’s been fun.”
Still, Roy continues to rewrite the record book. Earlier this season, he set a pool record at the renovated West Scranton Intermediate School with a time of 1 minute, 1.17 seconds in the 100 breaststroke. Against Dunmore, he had a time of 50.74 in the 100 free to break the record formerly held by Jerome Patrick Jr. since 1982.
At the Ernie Shartle Invitational, Roy won the 200 IM (2:00.39) and the 100 breaststroke (59.44). Jordan placed fifth in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.76).
The two contributed to the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay teams, which both finished sixth.
“I just want to be the best version of myself,” Jordan said. “I don’t compete against my brother. I just want us to do the best we can every time we swim. I have been trying to live every moment and push him to have his best times. When he graduates, I won’t have him as a teammate anymore.”
As the season winds down, and the two Ayalas balance their club schedule with Pacers Aquatics and their meets for West Scranton, they plan for steady improvement.
They are excited for what is ahead.
“I am always looking to drop time,” Roy said. “I want to win at districts and qualify for the state meet again.”