Bishop England High School is celebrating the academic achievements of its athletes. Four senior swimmers — Ellie Chalupsky, Mia Devito, Mackenzie LeVeen, and Carter Riley — have been recognized as NISCA All-American Academic Swimmers after their successful careers, including winning the state championship for four consecutive years. Meanwhile, football linemen Matthew Ponkow and Charlie Sakre excelled in the South Carolina Science Olympiad, placing second overall and earning medals in 14 events. Both athletes maintain exceptional GPAs, showcasing a balance of academic and athletic excellence.

By the Numbers
  • Only 2% of the 354,000 high school aquatic student-athletes are recognized as NISCA All-Americans.
  • Ponkow holds a 4.4 GPA, while Sakre has a 4.5 GPA on the Bishop England scale.
State of Play
  • Bishop England swimmers have achieved a state title for four consecutive years.
  • The football team achieved second place at the state-level Science Olympiad, medaling in 14 of 23 events.
What's Next

Both the swim team and football linemen are expected to build on their recent successes in future competitions, setting high goals for next season. Their academic accomplishments may inspire more student-athletes in the school to prioritize academics alongside athletics.

Bottom Line

Bishop England High School continues to exemplify the integration of academic and athletic pursuits, highlighted by its students’ achievements in swimming and science. This dual focus fosters well-rounded students who embody the school's spirit of excellence both in the pool and the classroom.