Back in Action

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As she propels through the crystal clear blue water of the Lakewood Ranch YMCA pool, Lakewood Ranch High junior Courtney Chapin, who swims for both the Mustangs and the YMCA’s Wave Runners, is focused on the one time she’s been chasing for the past four years — the 100-meter backstroke Olympic Trial cut time of 1 minute, 3.39 seconds. 

Chapin first looked up the Olympic Trial standard in seventh grade when she started getting competitive in the sport. Since then, Chapin has been shaving seconds off her time in hopes of making the cut in 2016. 

“I got it in my head that it was possible,” Chapin says. “I thought ‘I can do this.’ It’s definitely been something on my mind.” 

Chapin moved closer to her goal this summer after setting a new personal best time of 1:05.38 in the 100 backstroke at the Senior Championship Swim Meet at the end of July. Chapin won the event and is now the No. 1 ranked swimmer in the state in the event. 

She followed her performance with a 12th place finish in the 100 backstroke at the 2015 YMCA Long Course National Championship Aug. 3 through Aug. 7, in Indianapolis. Chapin, who was seeded 16th heading into the race, set a new personal best time of 1:05.09 and became the first Wave Runners swimmer to reach a B final. 

Chapin’s Wave Runners teammate Ryan Walker, a senior at Braden River, also made it to the finals in the 50-meter breaststroke, placing 19th and setting a new personal best time of 31.52 seconds. 

“It was absolutely incredible,” Chapin says. “I didn’t have anything to lose going in, so that relieved a lot of stress. 

“I felt like a lot of hard work paid off during the season and I was definitely proud to represent the YMCA. It felt good to get our name out there, too.” 

After her most successful club championship season, Chapin returned to the pool with her Mustang teammates at the end of August in preparation for the high school swim season. Chapin competed in four events for Lakewood in its first meet of the season Sept. 8 versus Braden River. 

“High school is such a change up from USA Swimming,” Chapin says. It’s all giggles and fun all season until district, regionals and states, and then we really start cracking down.” 

Although results from Tuesday’s meet were unavailable as of press time, Chapin will compete in four events throughout the high school season with the 100 backstroke being her signature event. She also plans to swim either the 50 freestyle or 100 freestyle, the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. 

Chapin began focusing on the event in seventh grade after getting burnt out on the butterfly. Looking for a change, Chapin flipped to backstroke and hasn’t turned back since. 

“I like it because I can breathe the entire time,” Chapin says with a laugh. 

But while Chapin holds the title of the state’s fastest swimmer in the 100 backstroke, that hasn’t quelled her drive. After finishing fifth in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 50 freestyle, Chapin is motivated by the possibility of a state title — a feat Chapin believes is within reach. 

“I know I can still get a lot faster, and I think I have the potential to be a lot faster,” Chapin says. “At the end of long course season, the thought of the high school season actually motivated me. I’m looking forward to hopefully making the podium in the 100 backstroke, and it would be awesome to win a state title my junior year.” 

Following the high school season, Chapin will compete in the 2015 Speedo Winter Junior Championships Dec. 9 through Dec. 12, in Atlanta. 

She also plans to increase her dry land program and begin competing in long course tournaments in early April in hopes of making the Olympic Trial cut. Chapin also hopes to swim in college, but has yet to verbally commit. 

“It would be awesome to stay in Florida," Chapin says. "But I’m definitely keeping my options open."

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].