Taylor Steele, a junior, won the 2017 5A State Championship swimming meet on Friday, October 13, at the University of South Carolina. She came in first place for the 100 yard Breaststroke with a time of one minute and three seconds and placed second in the 200 yard Individual Medley. The medley consists of the Butterfly stroke, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and a freestyle of choice.

Steele has been swimming for as long as she can remember. Her sister swam for Junior Olympic Team USA, and that is how Steele gained her interest. At the age of seven, she followed in her sister’s footsteps and became a part of the USA swim team family. She has been participating ever since.

“I thought that winning was really cool,” said Steele. “ The only thing I was worried about was the girl who was in second place because she had a faster time than I did.”

Steele had placed first before at regular meets but never at states. Competition is different every year, considering schools can move in and out of the 5A division, and freshmen join when they start high school.

“I practice with the CFHS swim team every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for one to two hours, and then I practice nine times a week with USA for two to three hours,” said Steele.

She also practices from an hour to an hour and a half everyday before school at Coastal’s swimming pool.

Colleges have already shown interest in Steele and her swimming abilities. Sending good luck to her and a congratulations to the CFHS Swim Team!