Swim Charleston excels at state championship meets

Swim Charleston, a year-round youth swim team that practices on Daniel Island, sent 14 swimmers to South Carolina’s Short Course Senior State Championship meet and 34 swimmers to South Carolina’s Short Course Age-Group State Championship meet. The championship competitions were held at the YMCA in Rock Hill and Greenville Aquatic Center in Greenville, South Carolina, during two weekends in February.

At Senior States, Swim Charleston fielded seven relay teams, two of which finished in the top 10. Three of the 14 swimmers earned new sectionals cuts, which qualifies them to compete in a regional meet in Cary, North Carolina, against teams from other states.

At Age-Group States, Swim Charleston fielded 14 relays and finished 10th overall in the state. The relay team of Mackenzie LeVeen, Nya Brown, Kate Allison and Ellie Chalupsky placed fourth in the state.

The following swimmers from Daniel Island competed at this level: Ellie Chalupsky, Jason Chalupsky, Brady Evin, Connor Good, Gabe Grimm, LJ LeVeen, Mackenzie LeVeen, Bryce May, Jackson Muller, and Gracyn Ross.

Daniel Island resident standout races include: 8-year-old Jason Chalupsky’s 16th place finish in 10/under 100 meter breaststroke and Ellie Chalupsky’s top 10 finish in the 50 meter backstroke. LJ LeVeen, Gracyn Ross and Jackson Muller had amazing mile swims where they dropped a collective 2 minutes and 34 seconds.

In March, when the short course season — which competes in 25-yard pools — is over, the swimmers will prepare to race in 50-meter pools comparable to that of the Olympics. The team will travel to Duncan, South Carolina, for its first long course meet of the summer season on May 16-17.

Swim Charleston provides beginner swimming lessons as well as competitive swimming instruction during the months of September through July. Masters swimming for adults and youth triathlon training is also provided on Daniel Island. Visit online at swimcharleston.org.