ACAC achieves USA Swimming Safe Sport recognition; heads toward long course championships

(OAK RIDGE, Tenn.) Atomic City Aquatic Club hit an exciting milestone recently, being named as the region’s only USA Swimming Safe Sport recognized club. The team, which boasts nearly 80 swimmers ranging from seven to 18 years old, has focused on providing a safe environment for athletes to learn, grow and thrive in the sport. 

"ACAC is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy environment — that is free from abuse,” said Head Coach Sarah Corcoran. “Our organization has taken a big step toward providing that safety by educating our members and staff through the Safe Sport program."

USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, a comprehensive abuse prevention program, consists of a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including: required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening, criminal background checks and employment screening; training and education; monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting. These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in youth-serving organizations.

While the team was earning this status, numerous swimmers were earning ribbons at the last regular long course meet of the season. More than 20 swimmers traveled to Kingsport in early June for the 2024 BSC Bank of Tennessee Model City Invitational. For many athletes it was their last opportunity to make a Southeastern Swim Long Course Championship cut time. 

• Amelia Carrell, 12, finished in first place in the girls 12 and under 50 meter freestyle; and took second place in the 100 meter freestyle and 200 meter freestyle. 

• Sam Duby, 13, finished second in the girls open 400 meter individual medley. 

• Charlie Houston, 17, finished in first place in the boys open 200 meter butterfly and 400 meter freestyle. He took second place in the 200 meter individual medley and 800 meter freestyle. 

• Leo Karnitz, 18, finished in first place in the boys open 100 meter freestyle and took second place in the 100 meter backstroke and 100 meter breaststroke. 

• Jeffrey Nichols, 14, took first place in both the boys open 100 meter and 200 meter breaststroke events. 

• Rory O’Neil, 13, placed second in the 800 meter freestyle.

• Dorian Volcansek, 13, came home with four first place finishes and two second place finishes. 

• Mateo Volcansek, 11, took first place in the boys 12 and under 100 meter butterfly and 50 meter backstroke and placed second in the 50 meter butterfly. 

• Sophie Volcansek, 11, took first place in the girls 12 and under 50 meter backstroke and second in the 100 meter backstroke and 50 meter butterfly.

• Cooper Young, 17, placed first in the boys open 200 meter breaststroke. 

• Emmy Zimmer, 13, came home with five first place and four second place finishes. 

In addition to their top finishes, Houston, Dorian Volcansek, Mateo Voncansek and Zimmer each won high point awards at the Kingsport meet. 

The team looks forward to the upcoming long course championship meets, including the Southeastern Swimming Championships and Futures, which is a national-level swimming event.

"Futures is an exciting and impactful experience for our athletes,” Corcoran said. “They get to compete — and represent ACAC and Oak Ridge — on the national stage. Huge congratulations to our hard working athletes for achieving this honor!”