Spartanburg Day School

The Spartanburg Day School Varsity Boys’ Swim Team was victorious in the SCISA 2A state championship competition on Saturday, tying with Oakbrook Preparatory School for the top spot. The Griffins scored a cumulative 235 points at the meet, held at the North Charleston Aquatics Center. 

Senior Ligon Chewning was the team’s high point scorer with 28 points. He took first in both the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle and broke his own previously held school record in both events. Ligon and seniors Jonathan Overton and Noah Randall and junior Lucas Wilson were part of the 200 freestyle relay team that finished second overall and broke the school’s record. The 400 freestyle relay team of Ligon, Noah, Lucas and senior Ford Baehr finished first overall. Lucas scored 25 points for the Griffins, finishing first overall in the 200 individual medley. Jonathan scored 24 points and earned a state title in the 100 backstroke. Also contributing to the win were Charlie Wilson (7th), Thomas Owens (9th), Drew Summers and Sam Phillips (10th), and Finn Reid (11th).

It was the team’s first state championship since 2015 and the sixth state win for Coach Ashli Gaines-Phillips, who coaches both the varsity girls’ and varsity boys’ teams at SDS.

“The grit and determination the boys showed was beyond impressive,” Gaines-Phillips said. “Each member of the team worked tirelessly toward the goal. Their talents were diversified, allowing us to come out on top of many of the events we swam. I could not be prouder of this team and their efforts both individually and as a group.”