The Freedom sophomore overcomes nerves to beat older opponents and win top honors.
By TERRY JONES
Published November 20, 2003
TAMPA - As a sophomore in his first year in public school, Michael Silva was shy and didn't go out of his way to meet students at Freedom High.
He was a new student in school and felt safe in anonymity, but he met members of the swim team and enjoyed the friendships.
But at the Class 2A state championships in Orlando, he was not only shy, he was nervous.
When he stepped to the starting block for the finals in the 100-yard breaststroke, he was challenged by seven experienced seniors.
"They didn't say anything or give me dirty looks, but I still felt intimidated," Silva said.
But after the final touch Silva was state champion, and the seniors lined up in his wake. In the 200-yard individual medley he again beat older swimmers to bring home a pair of individual state championships.
Silva was the only Hillsborough swimmer to win two events in 2003 and the first state title winner from his school.
In his two events he finished the season with the fastest times for Hillsborough and in Class 2A, earning recognition as the Times Male Swimmer of The Year.
"I am no longer anonymous at my school, and I am not allowed to be shy," he said. "I really felt appreciated by my fellow students. People I didn't know spoke to me, and my name was put on the sign in front of the school. The attention was not my objective, I just wanted to do the best I could at state for my team and school. It sure is nice though."
But Silva was not the only state champion from the county.
Chris Olinger, a sophomore at Tampa Bay Tech, won the 2A championship in the 500-yard freestyle in 4 minutes, 36.57 seconds.
Chamberlain senior Grant Nelson had a faster time in the 500 (4:32.00) in Class 3A, but he was beat at state and took second.
He is back in training with Team New Tampa to prepare for the club season and next season at Freedom.
"I am working to cut my times in both my primary events," Silva said. "By spring of 2004 I want to have cuts in all my times, so I can do well in the two non-high school seasons."
Because of the time he spends each day studying and training, he said he doesn't have time to get involved in other school activities. He is happy making good grades and socializing with his team.
"This season was really great," he said. "I enjoyed just being with my teammates. It was all a lot of fun. When I went into the finals I was the only one on my team who needed to stay for the night races. They could have gone on back home, but they didn't. They stayed to support and cheer for me. Man, that really made me feel good."
