St. Charles swimmers represent state

During the first weekend of January, Team Illinois assembled a team of elite swimmers from all over the state to compete in the Mid-States Quadrangular Championships hosted by Team Indiana at the Indianapolis University Natatorium. Four swimmers from the St. Charles Swim Team were selected to the Illinois team: Rachel Burke, Nicole Chapko, Meagan Popp and Emma Smith.

Because this meet was an all-star meet, there were no individual awards presented. However, the St. Charles swimmers had some notable accomplishments.

Rachel Burke is 13 years old and swam in four individual events. She achieved a lifetime best time of 54.42 in the 100 freestyle. She was also selected as part of the Senior Girls 400 Free Relay Team.

Nicole Chapko, 12, swam in six individual events. She had life time best marks in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 56.10, and in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 2:02.32. She was also selected for the 11- 12-year-old girls 200 Free and 200 Medley Relay Teams.

Meagan Popp, 10, swam in five events achieving lifetime best times in all of them. In the girls 10 & Under 100 yard freestyle, 50 yard breaststroke, 200 yard IM and 100 yard breaststroke, Meagan came in first place while breaking the St. Charles Swim Team's 10 & Under age group records for each event. Meagan also achieved National Top 16 times for her two breast stroke events. She was also selected to be part of the 10 & Under girls 200 Medley relay team that took first place and the 200 free relay team.

Emma Smith, 13, swam four individual events. She had lifetime best times in the 1650 yard freestyle (a 1 mile swim) with a time of 17:45.19, and the 200 yard breast stroke with a time of 2:29.16.