Charlotte Latin School has selected Michael Chadwick ’13 to lead the boys’ and girls’ swimming programs as the varsity head coach.

Chadwick will take over for Patty Waldron, who led the Hawks from 2008 until her retirement at the end of the 2022 season. She coached Chadwick throughout his high school years and immediately thought of him as a candidate to be her successor. “Hiring Michael is a gold medal choice for the swim program,” said Waldron. “His personal experience progressing from a developmental swimmer to a world class professional athlete will help him inspire the newer swimmers in the program and mentor those who aspire to compete at the highest levels in the sport. I am so proud to have a young man of his character and love for all things Latin leading the Hawks!”

As a CLS senior, Chadwick helped the CLS boys’ swimming team win the NCISAA State Championship with two individual and two relay first-place finishes. He claimed the Latin school record on his way to victory in the 100 breaststroke, which stood until 2020 when it was broken by Stephen Kim. Chadwick went on to compete for the University of Missouri and the US National Team, eventually earning five medals at the Pan American Games and 11 medals at the World Championships for the United States. Now retired from professional swimming, Chadwick has returned to Charlotte with his wife, Cassi, and young son, Grayson, and works as the middle and high school student director for Moments of Hope Church.

Athletic Director David Gatoux said, “We are thrilled and honored to welcome Michael back to Charlotte Latin. By bringing his unique experiences of all levels from the pool and beyond, supported by his understanding of our community as an alumnus, I am confident Michael will enhance our swim program and continue in the rich legacy established by Steve Howard and Patty Waldron.”

Chadwick inherits a program that has achieved 28 state championships and “I couldn’t be more excited to rejoin the Latin family,” Chadwick said. “CLS played an enormous role in my swimming journey by fostering a love for the sport that I hold to this day. I’m honored to follow Coach Patty and the incredible impact she made on the Hawk community and the city of Charlotte. I look forward to building on that success and can’t wait to get started.”

The winter sports season officially begins October 31^st and Chadwick will coach his first Latin swim meet at home on November 15.

The Chadwick Family: Grayson, Cassi and Michael

Michael Chadwick receiving his 1st place plaque at NCISAA Swimming Championships in 2013

Photo by Jack Spitser, Spitser Photography