Flying Fish stay focused, earn third place in rain delayed City Meet

Remember that song from the 1970s that touched on thunder and lightning; the one that urged us to “knock, knock on wood?”

That just might be the Daniel Island Flying Swim Team’s song after the conclusion of the 49th annual Coastal Carolina Aquatic Association’s City Meet which began on Friday and concluded Sunday.

There were two delays that lasted a combined five hours with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The first occurred Friday night and the second came on Sunday, forcing the finale from a 2 p.m. to a 5 p.m. start. The Flying Fish may have been out of the water, but they weren’t over their heads when competition resumed. They swam better than ever, and claimed a third-place finish in the 19-team meet that showcased approximately 1,000 swimmers.

“(Sunday) night, we swam fantastic,” Daniel Island coach Rose Van Metre said. “I’ll tell you whatever it was, it brought out the best in us.”

Van Metre said swimmers lose their focus during long delays and talk and think about any and everything but swimming.

“You expect problems because you want them focused, not inactive,” Van Metre said. “But we’re a close-knit team and everybody gets along. They talk to each other. They support each other. They will do whatever it takes.”

Van Metre said the swimmers spent the delays either under a tent or in cars. And the waiting can cause the athletes to tire. Waiting can cause fatigue.

Snee Farm collected 3,004.5 points to win the three-day meet, which was contested at Crowfield Golf and Country Club. Snee Farm has now won three straight city titles and 29 overall.

Coosaw Creek was second with 2,801 points and Daniel Island was third with 2,397.5. Newington claimed fourth with 2226.0 and Hobcaw checked in at No. 5 with 2099.0.

The Flying Fish were in sixth place when their youngest group of swimmers made waves. Their efforts helped catapult the team. Then it was time for the older swimmers to shine; they helped the Flying Fish capture third place.

“The little kids put us in third place and the older kids helped keep us there. It was a case of every kid counted. Everyone who scored mattered,” Van Metre said.

The Flying Fish collected four gold medals in the swim meet. Ethan Griffith, Ellie Chalupsky, Matthew Doty, and the girls 9-10 year-old 200 freestyle relay team were the best in their events.

Griffith won the boys’ 11-12 age group 100-yard individual medley. He also claimed second in the 50-yard breaststroke. 

Chalupsky won the 7-8 girls’ 25-yard backstroke while Doty claimed the top spot in the 9-10 boys’ age group 50-yard breaststroke and was second in the 100-yard individual medley.

Merrit Zieminick had two silver finishes. She was second in the girls’ 9-10 age group in the 50-yard freestyle and second in the 50-yard backstroke.

Jill Smiley was second in the girls’ 11-12 age group in the 100 individual medley while Justin Hafner was second in the boys’ 9-10 age group in the 50-yard freestyle.

The girls’ 7-8 age group was second in the 100-yard freestyle relay.