The 2019 Swimposium Carolina along with the NCS Select Camp and the Carolina Crown Swim Challenge were held this past weekend in Charlotte. Thank you to all of the North Carolina and South Carolina athletes, coaches, officials, and parents who came together to make it an exciting and memorable weekend of swimming.
Special thanks to Swimposium speakers John O’Sullivan, Bill Dorenkott, Dan McAllen, Hali Flickinger, Trish Martin, Dave Olack, Roy Dessloch, Chris Ritter, Mark Frank, Coby Ockert, and Jenna Bridges. Also thanks to Dave Thomas of USA Swimming who conducted a Club Leadership & Business Management session and senior athlete rep Matthew Rigsbee who held an athlete leadership session prior to HOD on Sunday.
Special thanks also to our sponsors: Cheerwine, Carolina Swim Shop, American College Connection, AAA Carolinas, The Magic5 Goggles, TYR, Southern Branded Textiles, Ritter Sports Performance, and Visit Charlotte. Also thanks to the entire staff at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, and the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.
The Swimposium was well-attended with a mix of athletes, coaches, parents, and officials from both North Carolina and South Carolina. A large number of meet officials attended Dan McAllen’s sessions and lots of coaches were on hand to hear Bill Dorenkott, the head coach at Ohio State. Parents and athletes particularly enjoyed our keynote speaker, John O’Sullivan.
Select Camp athletes split time between sessions in the pool and sessions with the various speakers. It was perfect weather for a Select Camp cookout at MCAC on Saturday night. Thanks to Rodney Sellars for putting the dinner together. And thanks to Select Camp director Scott Stephens, Select Camp manager Amy Faulk, and the entire coaching staff and chaperones who helped make the camp a great success.
The Carolina Crown Swim Challenge was held on Saturday afternoon, and a record 260 swimmers participated. Jonathan Watson has been the primary driver of this event since its inception five years ago and deserves much of the credit for its growth and popularity. Several records were set Saturday as the meet continues to become more and more competitive. Team Ruby won the event this year, squeaking by Team Black Diamond in the last event of the day! Thanks to the athletes, coaches, meet officials, and other volunteers who participated.
