Ellison Charette, a rising star in the world of high school swimming, has verbally committed to Georgetown University, marking a significant milestone in her athletic career. This announcement comes as Charette, a two-time Connecticut state champion, prepares to embark on a new chapter in her swimming journey, starting in the fall of 2026.
Charette's dedication and talent have been evident throughout her high school career. As a member of the Greenwich High School varsity swimming team for the past three years, she has consistently demonstrated her prowess in the pool. Her training with the YMCA of Greenwich Marlins, where she specializes in distance freestyle, has undoubtedly contributed to her success.
The 2025-26 short course season showcased Charette's remarkable abilities. At the YMCA National Championships, she achieved impressive results, including a third-place finish in the 1650-meter freestyle, a sixth-place finish in the 1000-meter freestyle, an 18th-place finish in the 500-meter freestyle, and a 40th-place finish in the 200-meter freestyle. Her performances during this season were particularly notable, as she improved her times significantly, dropping over 21 seconds in the 1650-meter freestyle and over four seconds in the 500-meter freestyle.
On the high school stage, Charette has been a force to be reckoned with. At the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) State Championships, she made history by winning her first-ever state titles. She claimed the 500-meter freestyle title with a time of 4:57.57 and led off the 200-meter freestyle relay with an impressive 24.57-second split, contributing to the team's gold medal. Additionally, she secured a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay with a 52.47-second split and finished fifth in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:09.55.
Charette's commitment to Georgetown University is a significant development, especially considering the university's athletic program. Georgetown, a Division I Mid-Major program, competes in the Big East conference. The women's team's performance at the conference championships, where they placed third, further highlights the program's strength. Charette's current lifetime bests would have secured her a fourth-place finish in the 1650-meter freestyle and an 11th-place finish in the 500-meter freestyle, indicating her potential to make an immediate impact.
This commitment is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the support Charette has received. She expressed her gratitude to various coaches, including Patrick and Bill from Greenwich Marlins, Coach Lowe and Noreen from Rocky, and Coach Brendan from GHS, as well as her parents, sisters, and friends for their unwavering support. The involvement of coaches John and Sam in her journey further emphasizes the collaborative nature of her success.
As Charette embarks on this new chapter, the swimming community eagerly anticipates her contributions to Georgetown's team. Her commitment to the university and her dedication to the sport will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both her personal and athletic endeavors. The future holds exciting possibilities for Charette, and the swimming world will be watching her progress with great interest.
