Woodlands Academy Swimmer Now a Three-time State Qualifier

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart's swim team - led by Caylee Hamilton, a state qualifier for the third year in a row - made a strong showing at the 16-team IHSA Girls Swim and Dive Sectional held at Lake Forest High School Saturday, Nov. 12.

Hamilton, a senior from Wadsworth, advanced to the state finals - Nov. 18 at Evanston Township High School - in two events with a 3rd place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (:57.71) and a 4th place finish in the 50-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of :23.86.

Two years ago, Hamilton became the first Woodlands Academy swimmer to qualify for the state finals, an achievement that was even more noteworthy given that she was competing in her first high school meet of the season at that time.

Hamilton, who said she's always had a passion for swimming, has been competing since she was 8. "I was that little kid you couldn't get out of the pool," she added. "Representing Woodlands Academy at state three years in a row has been a unique, exciting experience that's helped solidify my passion for swimming while learning how to balance it with school and music."

A member of the Woodlands Academy Symphonic Orchestra the past four years, Hamilton also serves this year as one of the piano accompanists for the school's three choirs. She plans to pursue both her swimming and musical interests in college.

Mary Pinn, a junior from Lake Forest, also competed at the Lake Forest sectional - finishing 11th in the 200-yard freestyle (2:03.31) and 14th in the 100-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of: 57.62.

Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org