TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Swimmer finally making a splash

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

TAMPA - There's nothing like getting humbled by a bunch of 8-year olds.

Wharton High senior swimmer Jordan Rees would know. He's been there, done that. Rees didn't really make a splash his first couple of years in the pool.

"I was absolutely horrible," Rees said. "I was already 6-foot, 1-inch at 13 that was a big, big kid getting lapped by 8-year-olds. I'm a good swimmer now, but when I first started out, I was horrible."

How did someone so bad become so good and dominant in swimming? For one, Rees literally grew into his sport. His lanky frame became an asset that he became more comfortable with and used to his advantage.

And he also did his homework.

"He's confident, but he's also very dedicated," said Wharton coach Julia Lamb. "He does a lot of research. He's always coming to me with information about what certain schools are doing or what another swimmer is doing.

"He takes care of himself, and he's very dedicated. He really wants it."

That desire to be the best is never more evident than in the 50 freestyle. When Rees steps onto the starter's block before the fastest event in the pool, he balances a calm demeanor with an amped up attitude.

"You physically get pumped up and get your blood rushing, but mentally, you just relax and clear everything out of your head and pray to God you touch first," he said.

This season, Rees has touched first a lot. He's the fastest boys swimmer in Hillsborough County with the top time in the 50 freestyle. He claimed the top seed in the Class 3A-Region 2 meet and is poised to perform well at this week's FHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Orlando.

Rees finished fourth in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 free at the state championships last year. As a sophomore, he was seventh in the 50 free and failed to make the finals in the 100 free at state. His freshman year, Rees was sixth in the 50 free.

At the Class 3A-District 4 meet last month, Rees claimed two district titles in the 50 and 100 free, boosting his confidence for the remainder of the postseason.

"I've made it to the finals every year," Rees said. "I just want to win the thing. I think it's my time. I've never been a part of the medal ceremony and I really hope to be this year.

"It will happen this year. There's no hoping, it will."

Rees recently committed to the University of Louisville where he will swim for the Cardinals next year. It's a great accomplishment for an athlete who, admittedly, crashed and burned in every other sport.

"I was so uncoordinated, I couldn't do anything else," Rees said. "I tried football, but I couldn't catch the ball. I tried basketball, but I couldn't shoot. I was just the tall guy that they'd pass it to. I mean, I was horrible.

"Swimming became something that I could actually do and do it well."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT