North Carolina Swimming

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NCS Spring Splash Meetings- MCAC Charlotte

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This weekend, Saturday, April 12, 2025, we have our annual NCS Spring Splash events taking place at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte, NC.

Saturday, is packed full with the 2025 NCS Select Camp, 110 athletes attending; to our Carolinas Diversity Camp at Queens College, 55 athletes attending; and while the Camps are happening the NCS and SCS Officials will have trainings and meetings going on in the classrooms of MCAC. All Coaches and Club Admin are strongly encouraged to attend the Technical Planning meeting taking place at MCAC at 3:45pm. There will be NO ZOOM option, all Clubs are asked to send a representative if you have a bid for the 2025-26 SCY Calendar.

We look forward to bringing the LSC together, connecting, collaborating, and continuing to grow one of the most successful LSC’s in the country. We appreciate each and every person who is involved within our LSC. Keep up the good work NCS! #ITTAKESAVILLAGE #NCSBetter2Gether #WEARENCS

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NCS swimmer takes on Hawaiian Channel

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Kaiwi Channel, Hawaii – 16 year old, Lorelei Schmidt, traveled across the country to swim solo from one Hawaiian island to the other. Also known as the Molokai Channel, this body of water separates the islands of O’ahu and Moloka’i in Hawaii. The channel is 27 miles (44km), with maximum depths up to 2,300ft (700m). This channel is included in the 7 challenges of Oceans Seven open water swimming series. Lorelei is a North Carolina Swimming member who trains with the Marlins Of Raleigh, and has always loved long distance swimming. This ordinary teenager has an “Extra-ordinary” mindset filled with confidence, determination, and a fearless approach accepting the challenges of open water swimming adventures. Lorelei began her swim around 6:00am as the sun was beginning to rise, and made it to O’ahu shore at 1:43am in 19hours and 38 minutes, joining a small group of the young females to successfully cross this channel. Special shout out to her support crew, and her parents, who were on the boat by her side providing fuelings and hydration to sustain her marathon swim. Lorelei has been swimming in numerous long distance swimming events across the country from Lake Tahoe, Catalina Channel, 20 Bridges Manhatten Swim, and now the Kaiwi Channel can be added to her list of accomplishments. Two days before Lorelei began her swim, two other open water swimmers had to abort their swim due to cookiecutter shark attacks. Check out this article https://dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/lorelei-schmidt-travels-cross-country-to-cross-molokai-in-19-hours-38-minutes/.

Congratulations Lorelei! Just Keep Swimming! #WEARENCS

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NCS MOURNS OFFICIAL JAMES KEIL

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Dear NCS, Officials, and USA Swimming Community,

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I inform you of the sudden loss of one of our NCS Officials, James Keil (57), who passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.  His service will be held on Monday, March 31 at Bennett Funeral Service, 7878 NC Hwy 16, in Newton, NC 28658. Visitation beginning 1:00pm and the service starting at 2:00 pm. James Keil Obituary


NCS Officials Chair, Rob Stevens, shares Since 2014, James has served as a dedicated and passionate USA Swimming Official at over 1100 sessions.  His consistent commitment to Swimmers, Coaches, Officials, and volunteers at swim meets has been extraordinary.  He always spoke extremely highly of his amazing experiences at Special Olympics meets, Open Water meets, and local LSC meets.  I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work with James at the STAR TarHeel States on Sunday, March 16.  He was so excited about his experience at the recent TYR Pro Series meet in Westmont, IL.  He was also beaming as he updated us on the amazing experience on a recent cruise with his wife, Kim, for their anniversary.  The NCS Officials’ family has truly lost a valued Official, father, husband, and friend. 

The NCS Officials’ family, and all of NCS, send our heartfelt condolences to James’ wife Kim, and their daughter Hallie.  We are so grateful to them for sharing him with us as he gave so much back to the great sport of Swimming. 

On behalf of NCS, we ask that you keep the Keil family in your thoughts and prayers.  May prayers of comfort, peace, and strength be with all who knew James Keil, in the hours, days, and weeks ahead.

With Deepest Sympathy, 

North Carolina Swimming

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2025 CAROLINA CROWN

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The 10th Annual, 2025 Carolina Crown Swim Challenge, featuring 260 of the top swimmers – ages 15-18 – from both North Carolina and South Carolina, will be held at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, April 13, 2025. The meet will be held midday.

TEAM BLACK DIAMOND

TEAM SAPPHIRE

TEAM RED RUBY

TEAM EMERALD

SUNDAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:30 a.m. – COACH CHECK-IN

10:00 a.m. – ATHLETE CHECK-IN

10:45 a.m. – WARM UP

11:40 a.m. – VOLUNTEER TIMER BRIEFING

12:00 p.m. – CAROLINA CROWN SWIM CHALLENGE

North Carolina Swimming Qualifier List

Carolina Crown PayPal and Application Registration

Carolina Crown Meet Information

Carolina Crown Heat Sheet

Carolina Crown Timeline

Carolina Crown Psych Sheet

Carolina Crown Officials Sign Up

If you are interested in volunteering as a meet marshal, lane timer or other volunteer position, please submit the following form.

Carolina Crown Volunteer Sign-Up Form

RESULTS

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NCS MOURNS LOY COACH

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Dear NCS, YMCA, and USA Swimming Community,

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you of the recent loss of Lowes Lightning YMCA (LOY) Coach Eric King, passing away suddenly on March 13, 2025.

From LOY Family:
The Lightning family lost a legendary coach, father, and friend.  The loss of Coach Eric weighs heavy on our hearts as we navigate through the rest of this season and the seasons to come.  His passion for Swimming, love of the water, wise words, and kind heart will never be forgotten and will live on through his wife Victoria (Coach V) and their 3 kids Amelia, Logan, and Gavin, along with the rest of the Lightning family.  We are so thankful to have been blessed with Coach Eric and the time we had with him.  He will be forever loved and missed.  As a reminder, as he always said, “Your Best is Good Enough.”

On behalf of NCS, we ask that you keep the King family,  and the Lowes Lightning family, in your thoughts and prayers. May prayers of comfort, peace, and strength be with all who knew Eric in the hours, days, and weeks ahead.

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