Boys finish second in another strong showing at NCISAAs.
By Erin Singleton ’20
Since their starts, the Varsity Girls and Boys Swimming teams have been among the most dominant programs in CA sports history. That streak continued this year, as the Varsity Girls took their fourth consecutive NCISAA state title and the boys, after falling just 23 points short of Charlotte Latin’s score, took runners-up.
The State Championships, at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on February 10th, saw the Charger swim team qualify 47 out of its 56 team members. Forty-seven is an impressive number; competitor Ravenscroft only managed to quality 25 swimmers out of its 96-person team.
The team also dominated the TISAC conference, cementing its place as the school to beat with the Boys earning their eleventh straight title—a record longer than any other CA sports team—and the Girls earning an impressive sixth straight title.
At the NCISAA meet, Nisma Said (’21), Anna Newman (’21), Sydney Martin (’24) and Helen Chen (’20) won the 200 Medley Relay, and Nisma Said (’21), Anna Newman (’21), Isabella Barnette (‘20) and Helen Chen (’20) won 400 Medley Relay. As for the Varsity Boys, Jack Todd (’20) won the 500-yard Freestyle.
For TISACs, the Girls All-Conference Team included Nisma Said (’21), Anna Newman (’21), Sydney Martin (’24), Izzy Barnette (’20), Jordan Smith (’21), Helen Chen (’20) and Elena Zayas (’21). The Boys All-Conference Team included Jack Todd (’20), Adam Farris (’22), Quinn Vaughan (’21), Cy Reading (’22) and Nate Alexander (’20).
Being a co-ed 56-person team filled with individuals from both middle school and high school can be challenging, but the team’s spirit forms tight-knit bonds that defy its large numbers. As Athletic Director Kevin Jones said, “The team’s junior and senior leadership helps lead the way.” Senior swimmers have worked to increase team spirit and build mentorships between middle schoolers and high schoolers, he added. The team will lose many key seniors next year, including Izzy Barnette, Anna Cheng, Becca Segal, Nate Alexander, Finn Kerns and Teo Feliu.
Seniors Helen Chen and Jack Todd will continue their swimming careers into college. Helen Chen will swim at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while Jack Todd will attend the University of Chicago. Competitors on the CA swim team are not only talented athletes, but also top scholars. We look forward to seeing Helen and Jack take their swimming careers to the next level, and we can’t wait to see what the Charger Swim team can accomplish next season.