The story of competitive swimming at Saint Stephen’s is dominated by one name – Ellie Berdusco. The four-time high school All-American (2011-14) holds seven SSES individual records and three as the member of relay teams. Berdusco, who went on to swim collegiately at Notre Dame, also owns the Falcons’ lone state championship, winning the 500 freestyle in 2012.
Despite Berdusco’s prominence in the Saint Stephen’s record book, she isn’t the only Falcon who has made a name for herself in the pool. Allison Moon, who has the only school record on the girls side not credited to Berdusco – the 100 breaststroke – was a standout in the late 1990s and went on to an impressive career at the U.S. Naval Academy. Moon won nine Patriot League Championship relay titles, tying her for the most in Navy history. She was a three-time all-conference selection, and holds Academy relay records in the 200 medley, 400 medley, 200 freestyle, and 400 freestyle.
Hayley Tilton was a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons in the mid/late-2000s and, prior to Berdusco’s arrival, her name stood atop the record book in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 free relay. She was a two-time state finalist and went on to swim at Tulane University.
Recent teams have had rising levels of success in the pool. Twelve boys have qualified for the FHSAA state championship meet over the past seven seasons, including Blair Wootson in 2023. The sophomore already holds three school records. The girls’ team made history in 2019 by bringing home the first post-season swimming trophy ever for SSES, earned thanks to a runner-up finish at the 1A-District 5 meet. The Falcons repeated that feat again in 2020 and 2023.
