District Five swim teams have strong performances at state championships

IRMO. SC- Chapin, Dutch Fork and Irmo High School all had strong showings at the South Carolina State Swimming Championships held at the University of South Carolina Natatorium on October 14 and 15.

Dutch Fork junior Wyatt Boyer kicked off the weekend landing himself on the podium, finishing third in the 500-meter freestyle. The Silver Foxes boys’ team placed 18th out of 28 teams in Class 5A. “Our swimmers had a great championship meet,” Katie Broussard, Dutch Fork High School head swim coach said. “We had three new swimmers that earned their way to the state championships this year and four veterans. They all did great!”

The Irmo girls’ team had a top 10 finish in the 200-meter medley relay. The team consisted of Erin Medlock, Elizabeth Mahoney, Gabrielle Gadson and Reanna Wrecsics. The Irmo boys’ team also swam well in the 200-meter medley, finishing in 8th place. “Coach Cuttino and I are incredibly proud of the Irmo swimmers’ performances at the 5A State Championship meet,” Irmo swim coach Cindy Sommers said. “Every Yellow Jacket crushed at least one of their season best times in an individual event or relay and both teams finished well against very talented competition!”

Chapin had a strong showing in the 4A championships on Saturday. The boys’ team finished 6th overall while the girls’ team finished 11th. The Eagles brought a total of 16 swimmers to the state championships. “I am extremely proud of how well our teams competed because we are so young,” Chapin swim coach Dana Catoe said. “I expect our boys’ and girls’ teams to be even stronger next year and I think we can be a top three swim team in Class 4A.”