Chapel Hill alumnus Danielle Melilli was the first Douglas County swimmer to win state in an individual event.
Melilli went on to swim at Queens University in Charlotte where she was a rock star—winning national championships and racking up accolades, including Division II Swimmer of the Year.
This past summer, Melilli competed in the Olympic Trials in the 50-meter freestyle and finished in the top 20.
Chapel Hill swim coach Jihad Pratt beamed with pride when talking about Melilli at the recent Winter Sports Athletic Media Day and what her success shows about his program at the school.
“We’re very proud of her,” he said.
Chapel Hill has won the county championship all but a couple of years since Pratt took over the program at Chapel Hill seven years ago.
This year, he’s looking to four upperclassmen as the Panthers look to make another run at the state swim meet.
Senior Matias Navarro is strong in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle events.
Josh Wilkinson, a junior, set the county records in the 50 backstroke and 100 butterfly, and finished in the top 10 in the 100 butterfly at state.
Blake Ferdinand, a senior, specializes in short distance races like the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, both events that he finished in the top 10 at state in last year.
Christopher James is strong in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Looking ahead, Pratt said he’s hoping for another county championship when the DCSS teams compete on January 23 and a run at state.