Student Spotlight: LJ Elliott

Colonial Middle School seventh grader LJ Elliott’s speed in the pool has gained national attention. According to USA Swimming, he’s currently ranked in the top 50 in his age group nationally in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle, and in the top 100 for the 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard breaststroke. 

LJ recently had the opportunity to compete in USA Swimming’s Middle Atlantic Eastern Zone Championship meet in Rochester, New York. Over the course of the three-day competition, he achieved personal best times in every event he swam and placed in five of the six events, including a third place finish in the highly competitive 100-yard freestyle race. 

“The biggest thing that makes me happy about swimming is just dropping time,” said LJ. “I don’t care if I win my races. I just want to know that I’m getting better at something.”

In order to drop time, he says you set little goals along the way. “The accomplishment that I’m working on now is trying to swim 50 meters in 23 seconds. I go 24 seconds,” he said. “For 100 yards, it’s 50 or below. I’m at 52.” 

LJ swims for Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club and is looking forward to getting back into the pool for daily workouts in the evenings to prepare for the summer season. 

“It’s all about the effort you put in,” he said. “It can all go to waste if you don’t put your effort in.”

Congratulations and good luck, LJ!