Hat-trick heroes: BE girls win third straight state swim championship

Déjà vu? No, it was more like déjà three.

 

Once again, the Bishop England High School girls’ swimming team proved to be the best in the Palmetto State by winning the Class AAAA state championship with a 517.5-411.5 victory over Gray Collegiate Academy on Oct. 15 at the Carolina Natatorium on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

 

Coach Rose Van Metre has built a juggernaut at the school. The team finished second in the state in 2016 and won its first state title in 2017. Since then, the program has become bigger and better with the Bishops hoisting the biggest trophy for the third consecutive year.

 

It was almost a carbon copy of last year’s meet when the Bishops topped Gray Collegiate 418-359.5 to win the Class AAA title.

 

While the classification changed in 2024, it was pretty much the same cast of characters who swam to success.

 

Junior Ellie Chalupsky, who won four gold medals last year, impressed with gold medal efforts in both the 100-yard butterfly, 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle relay while adding a silver medal in the 400-freestyle relay.

 

Another junior, Mia Devito, put on a golden effort with a first-place finish in the 50 freestyle. She also was involved in the most thrilling race of the championships as she and Peighton Johnson of Gray Collegiate Academy both touched the wall in 51.92 seconds to share first place in the 200 freestyle.

 

Katie Kitlowski claimed first place in the 500 freestyle, while capturing bronze in the 200 IM.

 

Carley Foust took third in the 200 freestyle.

 

Meanwhile, the BE boys placed third in the Oct. 17 meet that was extremely close. South Aiken was crowned state champ with 391 points, while Daniel was second with 367.5. The Bishops held down third place with 356 points.

 

Owen Fritts was golden with a first-place finish in the 50 freestyle while capturing silver in the 100 freestyle.

 

Connor Good earned silver in the 500 freestyle. Jack Cahill finished third in the 200 IM.

 

In the Class AAA state championships, which were contested on Oct. 15, the Philip Simmons boys finished in 12th place as Greer Middle College was crowned state champs.

 

The Iron Horse girls finished in 19th place as St. Joseph’s was crowned state champs.