Woodlands Academy Swimmer Qualifies for State Finals, Again

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s swim team – led by Caylee Hamilton, a state qualifier for the second year in a row – made a strong showing at the 14-team IHSA Girls Swim and Dive Sectional held at Vernon Hills High School Saturday, Nov. 14.

Hamilton, a junior from Wadsworth, advanced to the state finals – Nov. 20-21at New Trier High School – in two events with a 3rd place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (:58.38) and a 6th place finish in the 50-yard freestyle (:24.39).

Last year 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. Since Woodlands doesn’t practice as a team, Hamilton trains at Scout Aquatics in Lake Forest where she’s been the only high school girl in those practices. She says training with the boys has pushed her to achieve her best in competition.

Mary Pinn, a sophomore from Lake Forest, also competed at the Vernon Hills sectional – finishing 7th in the 200-yard freestyle (2:03.29) and beating her own best time in the 100 backstroke with a 1:06.95.

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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