St. James swimmer with down syndrome competes against the clock

MURRELLS INLET, SC (WBTW) – All one young man in Horry County wants to do is swim, but he ran into a snag this year.

Max Wolff is a senior at St. James High School and is a 19-year-old Shark student-athlete with down syndrome.

He has participated in swim team since his 7th grade year, but rules state that if a student turns 19 before July 1, they automatically become ineligible for sports.

Max turned 19 in March, but his friends, family, and supporters made sure that he could still be included.

“Everybody knows Max. They all stand up for him, they all clap for him, he gets probably the best reception out of any swimmer in the pool,” Keith Wolfe, Max’s father said. “People look at him and say ‘Well, if he can do it, I can do it’.”

The SCHSL executive committee approved his swim participation on Aug. 3 with specific guidelines. Max competes as a Shark against the clock. He is the only one in the pool. He is simply included.

He will also be recognized at the AAAA state championships on Oct. 8 in Columbia.