State title season is officially underway as the SCHSL swimming championships were held on the University of South Carolina’s campus this past weekend. 

In total, 17 teams from 10 different schools had at least one athlete qualify for states. 13 Lexington County swimmers earned a place on the top-three podium. 

Gray Collegiate’s girls were the highest-placing team from the area, finishing third in the 5A girls competition. The War Eagles earned 289.5 points. 

Sarah Coker led the team with two individual medals, finishing third in the 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly. 

Leighton Maxfield also brought home two medals, finishing second in the 500 freestyle and third as a member of the 400 freestyle relay team. She won bronze along with Jennifer Coker, Peighton Johnson and Marylila Sims.

Chapin’s girls finished not far behind Gray, placing fifth overall with 184 points. 

The Eagles were led by Jacqueline Bonavilla, who won the area’s only first-place medal, and she got two of them. Bonavilla won the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly. She also added a bronze medal as part of Chapin’s 200 freestyle relay team.

Her teammates were Rachel Swart, Ashlyn Newman and Sydney Barkevich. 

River Bluff’s Ellie and Caroline Wells also earned medals in the 5A contests. Ellie placed second in the 50 freestyle. Caroline was third in the 200 freestyle. 

American Leadership’s Sawyer Edwards was the only boy to medal in an event this year. He got two silvers, finishing second in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly. 

Below is a full list of all the Lexington County medalists and team placements. 

Lexington County swimmers on the podium 

5A Girls

Jacqueline Bonavilla - Chapin - 1st 100 Backstroke, 1st 100 Butterfly, 3rd 200 Freestyle Relay

Rachel Swart - Chapin - 3rd 200 Freestyle Relay

Ashlyn Newman - Chapin - 3rd 200 Freestyle Relay

Sydney Barkevich - Chapin - 3rd 200 Freestyle Relay

Sarah Coker - Gray Collegiate - 3rd 100 Breaststroke, 3rd 100 Butterfly

Leighton Maxfield - Gray Collegiate - 2nd 500 Freestyle, 3rd 400 Freestyle Relay

Jennifer Coker - Gray Collegiate - 3rd 400 Freestyle Relay

Peighton Johnson - Gray Collegiate - 3rd 400 Freestyle Relay

Marylila Sims - Gray Collegiate - 3rd 400 Freestyle Relay

Whitney Moody - Gray Collegiate - 3rd 100 Backstroke

Ellie Wells - River Bluff - 2nd 50 Freestyle

Caroline Wells - River Bluff - 3rd 200 Freestyle

3A Boys

Sawyer Edwards - American Leadership - 2nd 100 Backstroke, 2nd 100 Butterfly

Lexington County team placements

5A Boys

10. River Bluff

18. Dutch Fork

19. Lexington

23. Chapin

26. Gray Collegiate

5A Girls

3. Gray Collegiate

5. Chapin

8. River Bluff

18. Lexington

4A Girls

26. Irmo 

3A Boys

20. American Leadership 

22. Gilbert

27. Airport

3A Girls

21. Brookland-Cayce

22. Gilbert

25. American Leadership

28. Airport