The disappointment endured by Cardinal Newman’s girl’s swim team 2003 was assuaged this past Saturday. They returned to their familiar No. 1 when the final race was completed in the SC Independent Schools AAA State Championship.

At the USC Natatorium, the Lady Cardinals out–swam second place Pinewood Prep by 32 points to better their second place finish of one year ago. Another Charleston area school, Northwoods, was third in the 13–team field.

The Cardinals’ boys squad had a stronger than expected third place finish. Pinewood successfully defended its title, and Northwoods was second.

Charlotte Giese, who coaches both CN teams, was obviously happy with the girls’ success, but was quick to praise the boys. “They did very well, I was very proud of them,” she said. “In the first third of the meet we were sixth, moved up to fourth and wound up finishing third. My son Phillip was second in the 200 free (style) and 100 free. Phillip Cease was third in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free.”

The closeness of the competition among the girls surprised her. “My lead swimmers did what they were supposed to do but some of the others finished up in third, fourth, fifth through tenth place. That made a huge difference.”

Freshman Kristen Giese swam exceptionally well claiming first place in the 50–yard and second in the 100. Casey Andrews was fourth in the 200 and second in the 500. Shannon Luckie took second in the 200 intermediate medley and the 100 butterfly. Carolyn Stinek had a great meet in the 200 free and third in the 100 fly.

In the relays, the CN girls were determined to go to the maximum in the high point relays and won both the 200 medley and 200 free giving them top spots in two of the three bigger events.

Giese also coaches at Spring Valley Country Club and heads up Gamecock Aquatics.