Area swimmers qualify for national competition
Contributed by Columbia YMCA Swim Club

(front to back) Logan Schumpert, and Courtney, Heidi, and Laura Nichols are heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to represent the Columbia YMCA Swim Club on the national stage.

Four local swimmers are heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to represent the Columbia YMCA Swim Club on the national stage. Logan Schumpert (13), and sisters Laura (16), Heidi (16), and Courtney Nichols (18) swam the qualifying times necessary to receive an invitation to the YMCA National Short Course Swimming and Diving Championships being held April 1- 4.

Head coach Jeff Mead says exposing his swimmers to national- level competition is a team goal. "Many of our high schoolage swimmers have aspirations of swimming in college. Competing on a regional and national platform not only exposes coaches to potential recruits but also opens our swimmers eyes to the depth and breadth of competition across the country."

Schumpert, a student at Chapin Middle School, and the Nichols' sisters, students at Irmo High School, are looking forward to representing Columbia and inspiring their teammates. "We are excited for this opportunity to meet swimmers from all over the country," says Courtney Nichols. "We hope our experience will inspire our teammates so next year we can send a larger contingent to Fort Lauderdale."

The Columbia YMCA Swim Club offers both a year- round and summer swimming program for youth ages 5 to 18. Instruction and practices are conducted at the Northeast and Northwest YMCAs. To learn more, visit www.ycscmudcats. com.

The Columbia YMCA's purpose is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, body, and mind for all.