EHS --
I agree that a 35-mile trip one way is a bit far to go to school, but I do know the background on Tomek and the Christ Church Episcopal School is a good fit for him. He also plays for a club team out of Atlanta, so apparently travel does not matter to him or his family.
To you and I who live in areas that have several schools in a certain area, 35 miles sounds like a lot -- but, how about some of the schools in the rural areas or a school such as Carolina Forest in Myrtle Beach that buses kids in from 30-40 miles away?
Certain schools (Academic Magnet, Bishop England, Southside, etc.) offer specific courses or programs that attract certain types of student-athletes (I personally have no problem with this). And, I think you'll find it relevant to "Olympic Sports" is that most of these schools are quite competitive in those sports due to the socio-economic situations often accorded with these youth. This is not a "slap" at any demographic, just trying to relay a point.
I know some people in our soccer community "frown upon" what they perceive is an unlevel playing field. However, how about just 5-10 years ago when Bishop England was a woeful football program or how about Academic Magnet in its' current state on the gridiron?
Take Bishop England for instance. For a lowcountry teenager raised in the Catholic faith, BE is the ultimate goal for many and a place where you will receive a solid education and a chance to compete at the highest athletics level possible. This is not always a panacea for these programs -- good coaching, solid backing from the administration and community, etc., are vital aspects of these programs!
Does this hurt their normal-zoned public schools such as Wando, West Ashley, James Island, Stratford, Summerville, Fort Dorchester, etc.? Sure it does -- but not as many as you'd think, because a good many of these have gone the parochial school route all along. The same is true for Midlands-area schools that have four main private high schools in Ben Lippen, Cardinal Newman, Hammone, and Heathwood Hall.
I'm glad that the SCHSL affords those private schools the opportunity to compete in the public school system, so long as they abide by the same rules every other school has to follow. Overall, programs like Bishop England, Christ Church, Southside Christian, etc., enhance the schedules for our public schools and offer quality competition on the pitch.
"To be the best, you have to beat the best." And for Class 2A and Class 1A, that means Bishop England and Christ Church, respectively!