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Ann Chappell Ellington from Newport News, Virginia has announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at James Madison University beginning in fall 2022.
Ellington swims for Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (CGBD) out of Yorktown, VA. She set numerous long course best times at the Virginia Senior Championships this summer. Her best times included the 50 freestyle (27.33), 200 freestyle (2:11.10), 100 backstroke (1:10.86), 100 breaststroke (1:17.68), and 100 butterfly (1:05.85).
This spring at the short course Virginia Senior State Championships, she was a finalist in all of her individual events. She also set best times in the 200 freestyle (1:52.99), 200 IM (2:04.59), and 400 IM (4:28.61).
Ellington has a versatile range of top events, as she has achieved Futures cuts in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes as well as the 200 and 400 IMs. She also is less than half a second off of the Futures cuts in the 100 and 200 freestyles as well as 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
She will begin her senior year this fall at Menchville High School located in Newport News, VA. Her best short course times are:
- 100 breaststroke: 1:05.32
- 200 breaststroke: 2:21.13
- 200 IM: 2:04.59
- 400 IM: 4:28.61
- 100 freestyle: 52.13
- 200 freestyle: 1:52.99
- 100 butterfly: 57.64
- 100 backstroke: 58.29
James Madison University is a public university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
In March 2021, the JMU women’s team won its fourth conference title in a row. Head coach Dane Pedersen was named CAA Co-Coach of the Year, his fourth time earning the award. Rising sophomore Madison Cottrell was named Swimmer of the Meet after individually earning two first-place finishes and one runner-up finish.
Ellington has the potential to make an immediate impact for JMU at the conference level. Based on her best times, she would have made the A final in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes as well as 200 and 400 IMs. She also would have made the B final in the 200 freestyle.
She also has the potential to make an impact on the JMU 800 freestyle relay. That relay finished second at the conference championships. Only one member of that relay (two if rising senior Jordynn Schenell elects to take her 5th year allowed by NCAA due to COVID-19) will not yet have graduated once Ellington arrives on campus next fall. Ellington’s best flat start time of 1:52.99 also would best Schenell’s relay split of 1:53.71.
Ellington joins Alex Volk in JMU’s class of 2026 so far.
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