RECREATION
Monticello Swim Team
Apr 5, 2007

"Full Time Swimmers"

Monticello Illinois is home to a handful of 'full time swimmers'.  Lee Schofield is a parent of one swimmer swims for the Clinton Otters. "These families are REALLY Dedicated to this sport" Said Lee,  "They drive over 200 miles every week just to practice, and sometimes drive as far as Galesburg, Dekalb, and even Columbia Missouri, to compete."

Six Families, and Nine Swimmers from Monticello, recently concluded their 6 month season of swimming with 3 Championship meets.  The first meet was the Junior District Championship, held in Clinton Illinois and included teams from as far away as Canton Illinois.  Competing were Evan and Eli Johnson, Allison McPike, Maddie Waddock, and EB Miller.  The District Championship was then held at Bloomington Illinois, Competing there were, Chelsea Schofield, Rachel Waddock, Mallory Becker, and Marissa McPike.  This meet was a Qualifying meet for the Illinois Missouri AREA Championship, held this year in Columbia Missouri.  Competing at the AREA Meet were Marrissa McPike, Mallory Becker, and Rachel Waddock.  The Illinois Missouri AREA, has several THOUSAND swimmers registered, and although some of the Monticello swimmers finished in the top 10, only swimmers 13 and older are allowed to compete on the national level.

Currently Monticello does not have a facility that would allow a winter swim team.  "Monticello has been home to many 'full time swimmers' in the past" said Schofield "Some past swimmers have swum for the Otters, while others drove to Decatur, or Champaign to practice.  We have even had swimmers compete in the National Championship Held in Ft Lauderdale Florida".

Even though the winter season has come to an end, the well deserved break will be a short one.  Sign ups for the Monticello Marlins summer swim team is just around the corner, and these swimmers will be hard at it again with only 2 months off.  If you or anyone you know is interested in the Monticello Marlins Swim team, please contact Carlos at the City Hall.

Allison McPike swimming the Butterfly

From left to right, Mallory Becker, Rachel Waddock, Chelsea Schofield, Allison McPike, and Marrissa McPike. Not pictured are Evan and Eli Johnson, Maddie Waddock, and Elizabeth Miller.