Steele for the Gold?

June 2021
Written By: 
Sam Ikner
Photographs by: 
courtesy of Marissa Delgado

Local swim sensation is one step closer to the Olympics

Join us in congratulating Taylor Steele on her qualification for the Olympic Swim Trials! In 2019,  we caught up with Steele, then a senior making a splash at Carolina Forest High School. Steele has been swimming since she was eight years old and began truly dedicating herself to the sport at age 16, while competing as a member of Coastal Aquatic Club of Myrtle Beach. 

With two years of hard work and perseverance, she succeeded in securing a spot for the 2020 Swim Trials, but, unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the trials were rescheduled. Now a student at the University of South Carolina (USC), 20-year-old Steele will finally be able to compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. Her first lap will be at Wave II of the trials in Omaha, June 13-20, the wave for the faster swim qualifiers. Steele is currently ranked at an impressive 28th in the nation in the 100 breaststroke. We wish Steele the best of luck during the trials!