A swimmer from Woodrow Wilson High School aims to secure their fourth state title

Before sunrise, Campbell Chase arrived at the Alamo Swimming Pool building near downtown Dallas for morning swim practice at 6:30 a.m.

“We actually got to sleep in a little bit this morning,” remarked Chase. “Normally we start at 6:15.”

Her teammates from the Woodrow Wilson High School swim team trickled in, preparing lanes in the pool.

Woodrow Wilson High School Head Swim Coach Dwaneika Colebrooke outlined drills on a whiteboard. “The dive is gonna be from the blocks,” she instructed.

It marked one of the final training sessions before Regionals commence on Friday.

“Practice provides kind of a quiet space,” reflected Chase. “I think about my strokes and about the day.”

Chase is eyeing a fourth consecutive victory at the state level.

“I won the 200 IM freshman, sophomore, and junior year,” Chase recalled. “So I’m hoping to win it again this year.”

“She motivates everyone. When they see her swim they’re like, I want to be like Campbell,” praised Colebrooke. “She’s a great athlete, but overall she’s a great person.”

Chase began competitive swimming at the age of 8.

“Honestly, I want to say it’s genetics,” Chase mused. Her mother swam for the University of Texas Swim Team. “She was hoping and praying that none of us found love in the sport because it’s so early, and then it’s so late, and then it just takes so long.”

Not only did Chase develop a passion for swimming, but she also committed to the swim team at UT, following in her mother’s footsteps.

Chase has already secured a spot in the Olympic swim trials for the summer, competing in the challenging 200 IM and 400 IM (Individual Medley) events, which demand proficiency in all four strokes.

“I mean, it sounds surreal,” Chase admitted about qualifying for the Olympic trials. “A huge weight was lifted!”

Chase aspires to finish in the top eight this year but believes 2028 is a more attainable Olympics goal.

“When you hit the times that you want to go and you’ve dropped time from your best time, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Chase expressed. “To be feeling fast through the water; it is the best feeling in the world.”

“When she makes it to the Olympics we’re gonna buy our tickets and we’re gonna be wherever she is, and we’re gonna be in the stands cheering her on. That’s how invested we are in Campbell,” Colebrooke said, wiping away tears. “She’s great, and we’re gonna miss her at Woodrow; she’s so amazing!”