Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Chiefs' top swimmer is a sophomore sensation

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 30, 2001

CARROLLWOOD -- All arrangements had been made with Chamberlain school officials for Grant Nelson to miss school long enough to attend the five-day USA Swimming national convention in Dearborn, Mich. While he waited for his 11:55 a.m. flight to start boarding passengers, he watched some of the news of the terrorists attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

Then word came that all air traffic in the United States had been grounded. It was Sept. 11, and the convention was scheduled to start that evening and run through Sept. 16.

"I tried to reschedule another flight later that day or another day, but I was unable to get a commitment from any airlines," he said. "Crystal Bickoff, a senior at Hillsborough, was booked to go on the same flight to the convention. Fortunately, my Carrollwood club coach, Jim Kelly, had left earlier and was already there to be part of the convention."

Nelson, the top swimmer for the Chamberlain Chiefs, never made it to Michigan.

"I will have other opportunities for USA Swimming conventions, but Sept. 11 became very personal to me," he said. "Now I want to focus on a successful season for Chamberlain swimming. I believe our team will have a good year."

The 15-year-old, who lives in Carrollwood, speaks from experience. He's one of the top distance freestyle swimmers in Florida.

In addition to his activity as a youth representative from Florida Swimming for USA Swimming, the sophomore is active in four clubs at Chamberlain, works hard to maintain A's and B's in school and is in training for competition six days a week.

As a freshman last year in the Class 2A state championships, he placed 10th in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4 minutes, 51 seconds, and 13th in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:50.

Last year the Chiefs boys team, only six members, all qualified for the state meet. Four of those swimmers are back, plus five new members have joined.

Coach Allison Ferrebe believes all nine have a chance to qualify for state again this season. She says that Nelson is definitely one of the reasons the small team is doing so well again this season.

"I am glad he is just a sophomore and I can coach him for three more seasons," Ferrebe said. "He is a very dedicated athlete who will do anything asked of him for the benefit of the team."

In Chamberlain's dual meets, the versatile and undefeated Nelson helps his team in all four strokes, as well as the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

His goal for this high school season: Whack several seconds off his freestyle times.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright