2026 CCAA City Meet Championship
2026 CCAA Championship Meet – Day 2 Recap
City of North Charleston Aquatic Center | June 28, 2026
The second and final day of the 58th CCAA Championship Meet delivered everything swim fans could ask for: record-breaking performances, dominant individual efforts, and a championship outcome that was never really in doubt. When the final relay touched the wall, Daniel Island had done it again.
Ellie Chalupsky: The Story of the Day
If Day 1 belonged to Jaxon Ball, Day 2 was Ellie Chalupsky’s stage. The Daniel Island 18-year-old put on one of the most remarkable individual performances in recent CCAA history, breaking meet records in both the Girls 15-18 50 Yard Butterfly (25.45) and the Girls 15-18 50 Yard Backstroke (25.71) — breaking her own records in both events. She also played her part on the Daniel Island Girls 15-18 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, which shattered the meet record with a time of 1:38.34. Chalupsky’s relay teammates — Mia DeVito, Charlotte Good, and Lila Mahoney — were equally impressive, making it a full team effort.
A Championship Performance Across the Board
Daniel Island’s dominance wasn’t built on one swimmer alone. The Flying Fish scored consistently across every age group and every stroke, a testament to the depth and coaching that has defined this program over the past four years. They entered Day 2 already holding the overall lead and never looked back, ultimately finishing with 3,097 points — nearly 400 points clear of second-place Snee Farm (2,701.50).
Snee Farm had an outstanding meet, finishing second overall and showing particular strength in the 13-14 and 15-18 age groups. Parkshore (2,693.50) edged out Northbridge Terrace (2,617.50) for third by just 76 points in one of the tighter battles for the podium. Newington (2,298) rounded out the top five with a strong all-around performance.
The Rest of the Pack — No Shortage of Heart
Behind the top five, the competition was fierce and the storylines were plentiful. Shadowmoss (2,197) had entered Day 2 with momentum after their strong morning session on Day 1, and continued to push hard through the older age groups, a sign of a program on the rise. North Charleston (2,066) turned in a gritty performance, consistently placing in the top five across many events.
Crowfield (1,944) had plenty to celebrate, riding the wave of Jaxon Ball’s record-breaking Day 1 performance into a strong Day 2 showing, with individual wins and top fives. James Island (1,849.50) was powered by Parker Hamilton’s dominant Day 2 sweep of the Boys 15-18 Freestyle and Butterfly, while Hobcaw (1,841) was led by Harriet Kelley’s consistently strong finishes across the Girls 15-18 events. The two teams finished just eight points apart, making their battle one of the closest of the entire meet.
Country Club of Charleston (1,164) and Summerville YMCA (1,155.50) were separated by less than ten points at the final whistle, with Summerville showing particular strength in the 13-14 boys events. Ashborough (1,093.50) had a solid overall meet, with key points in the 13-14 boys events. ShaMelLon (812) and Legend Oaks (727.50) both showed flashes of competitiveness throughout, while Longpoint (619) got contributions from some of their more seasoned swimmers. West County (385.50) and Fort Johnson (199) rounded out the field, with swimmers from each team competing with pride throughout the two-day championship. CCAA’s newest team St. Andrews saw a remarkable improvement in year two, breaking the century mark in points.
Individual Highlights
The 13-14 age group produced some of the day’s most exciting racing. Kara Kitlowski of Daniel Island was a force across multiple events, winning the Girls 13-14 50 Yard Butterfly and 100 Yard IM. Nolan Mahoney of Daniel Island swept the Boys 13-14 Freestyle, Backstroke, and 100 Yard IM, cementing himself as the top male swimmer in his age group. Joshua Bornfleth of Crowfield turned in a blistering Boys 13-14 50 Yard Butterfly win, and Heyward Loichinger of Northbridge Terrace claimed the Boys 13-14 50 Yard Breaststroke.
In the 15-18 age group, Parker Hamilton of James Island continued his strong meet with wins in both the Boys 15-18 50 Yard Freestyle and Butterfly, while Logan Patterson of Northbridge Terrace won the Boys 15-18 100 Yard IM and was part of the Northbridge Terrace Boys 15-18 200 Yard Freestyle Relay that took first place. Grace Marsaa of Newington had an impressive day, winning the Girls 15-18 50 Yard Breaststroke and finishing top 5 in multiple events, ending her CCAA career on a high note.
Special Awards
The day also featured the inaugural presentation of the Erik Kreutner Award, given for the first time in 2026 to honor the lifetime contributions of Erik Kreutner — swimmer, coach, and tireless CCAA volunteer whose dedication to the league spanned five decades. The award goes annually to the winner of the Boys 13-14 50 Yard Breaststroke, and this year’s first-ever recipient was Heyward Loichinger of Northbridge Terrace.
Meet Records
Three meet records fell on Day 2, all courtesy of Daniel Island’s Ellie Chalupsky and her relay teammates:
- Girls 15-18 50 Yard Butterfly – Ellie Chalupsky (Daniel Island) – 25.45
- Girls 15-18 50 Yard Backstroke – Ellie Chalupsky (Daniel Island) – 25.71
- Girls 15-18 200 Yard Freestyle Relay – Daniel Island (M. DeVito, K. Kitlowski, G. Litzinger, E. Chalupsky) – 1:38.34
The Four-Peat
When the final scores were tallied, Daniel Island stood alone at the top — 3,097 points, their fourth consecutive CCAA Championship. It is a run of dominance that will be remembered in CCAA history, built not on any single star but on depth, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence from the youngest age groups to the oldest. The Flying Fish are champions once again.
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2026 CCAA Championship Meet – Day 1 Recap City of North Charleston Aquatic Center | June 27, 2026
The 58th CCAA Championship Meet got underway Saturday at the City of North Charleston Aquatic Center, and from the opening heat to the final relay, it was a day full of fast swimming, tight races, and a few surprises that have set up a dramatic Day 2.
The Morning Session: Shadowmoss Makes a Statement
When the 7-8 session wrapped up, the standings told an unexpected story. Shadowmoss — not the three-time defending champion Daniel Island — sat at the top of the leaderboard with 539 points, edging Daniel Island by just 5 points (534). Snee Farm (471) and Northbridge Terrace (451.5) rounded out the top four, with Newington making a strong showing in fifth (410). It was a clear signal that this year’s championship would not be a coronation — Daniel Island, if they wanted a fourpeat, would have to earn it. And so would any other contender.
The Afternoon Session: Records Fall, Champions Respond
When the older age groups took the water, the defending champs shifted into another gear. Two meet records fell on the day. In the Boys 11-12 50 Yard Butterfly, Jaxon Ball of Crowfield stopped the clock at 27.16, shattering the previous mark. Then in the Boys 11-12 100 Yard IM, Ball struck again with a 1:01.85, edging the previous record of 1:01.94 set back in 2019. Ball was the undeniable individual star of the day.
Daniel Island’s depth proved decisive across the afternoon session. While no single swimmer dominated the way Ball did, the Flying Fish scored consistently across strokes and age groups, which was just enough to retake the overall lead heading into Sunday.
Special Awards
Four swimmers were recognized with prestigious individual honors for winning their signature events:
- Louise Stuhr Award (7-8 Girls Backstroke) – Caroline Houghton, Snee Farm
- Pete Combs Award (9-10 Boys Butterfly) – Garvey Kangas, James Island
- Brittany Dejeet Award (11-12 Girls Freestyle) – Kara Pomerantz, Parkshore
- Chene Moore Award (11-12 Boys Breaststroke) – Nickolas Evans, Northbridge Terrace
Where Things Stand
At the end of Day 1, Daniel Island leads with 1,726 points, followed by Parkshore (1,620.50), Northbridge Terrace (1,606), and Snee Farm (1,571). Shadowmoss, thanks to their strong morning, sits fifth overall at 1,359 — still very much in contention but facing a steep climb. James Island (1,234), Newington (1,189.50), Hobcaw (1,155), and Crowfield (1,141) are bunched tightly in the middle of the pack, and any of them could make a move Sunday.
Looking Ahead
With the 13-14 and 15-18 age groups yet to swim, Sunday’s session will determine whether Daniel Island can secure a fourth consecutive title at the 58th City Meet, or whether Shadowmoss and the rest of the field have enough firepower to pull off the upset. One thing is certain: the 2026 CCAA Championship is far from decided.