Taylor Steele, a senior, competed in the 2018 Junior Nationals Championship on Dec. 6 and 7 in Greensboro, North Carolina. She swam the 50-yard freestyle and dropped her time by 0.12 seconds and moved up 33 places from her original seed. Steele finished 2nd overall in the Prelims event where she swam a 100 yard backstroke, winning the event. By doing this, she is the new South Carolina recorded holder, as well as the the 2018 Junior National Champion!

Steele has been swimming ever since she can remember. Her inspiration and interest in swimming came from her sister who swam for Junior Olympic Team USA in 2008. When Taylor was eight, her sister convinced her to go to swim practice, and it all started from there.

Before races Steele likes to talk to people around her and listen to music. This distracts her and keeps her from getting too nervous about the race.

Steele has been swimming competitively for 10 years. In her earlier ages, she swam for fun in recreational leagues. She currently holds a personal best time of 1:00.54 in the 100 yard breaststroke and 2:14.07 in the 200 yard breaststroke. She has qualified for the Olympic trials, which will be held in Omaha, Nebraska.

For Steele, going to the Olympics has never been a major dream or goal of hers.

“Going to the Olympics would be absolutely amazing. For now, I am going wherever swimming take me. Knowing that I have qualified for the Olympic trials is very excited and surreal. It has taken much effort, time and hard work to get here,” shared Steele.

Jenna Miller, her swim coach, commented, “We are incredibly proud of Taylor and her outstanding accomplishments inside and outside of the pool. Her drive and determination to do her best is nothing short of inspiring!”