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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 20, 2003 Phoenix High swimmer Kelsey Nelson, who has been swimming since she was 8 years old, is on pace to compete at the Class 3A state meet next month. Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman Nelson sets the record straight In just a month-and-a-half, the Phoenix High School freshman already owns three school swimming marks By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune The records were far from ancient, but they’re history now. Kelsey Nelson, a freshman on the Phoenix High girls swim team, has needed all of a month-and-a-half with the Pirates to etch her name atop three individual events as the school’s record-holder. For good measure, she’s helped two relay teams to all-time Phoenix marks. The Pirate swim program, established in the 1996-97 school year, may be just seven years old, but Nelson’s immediate impact is nonetheless impressive. It may only be outdone by her long-term production. "She’ll be rewriting these every year," says Jim Heath, the Phoenix coach. "She could probably rewrite every (Phoenix) record by the time she’s done." For now, Nelson is the fastest Pirate girl ever in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 23.17 seconds), the 100 butterfly (1:06.31) and the 100 freestyle (59.27). Additionally, she’s been a quarter of the equation for records in the 200 medley relay (2:08.13) and the 400 freestyle relay (4:14.35). Her teammates in those events are Maggie Morefield, Brenna Moran and Kimbra Chizek. A 5-foot-9 15-year-old, Nelson says she has grand plans for her prep career — and beyond. "I’d like to at least go to state and be in the finals every year," she says. "And I’d like to break all the (Phoenix) records." And after that? "I’ve always wanted to swim in college," Nelson says. Heath believes Nelson possesses the work ethic and skill to make those goals realities. "She’s a good athlete," Heath says. "And she’s dedicated to doing her best. She’s very coachable." Nelson, who began swimming as an 8-year-old in Santa Clarita, Calif., says she has "tried almost everything" in terms of athletic pursuits. The list includes volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball and even ballet. She still plays volleyball, but swimming has long been her No. 1 sport. "I’ve always been drawn to swimming," she says, "and I love it. (I love) the competition and being on the team. It’s an individual sport, but at the same time, it’s a team sport. It’s kind of like a big family." Nelson moved to Central Point when she was 9 and to Phoenix at 11 and has competed for the Medford YMCA Stingrays since coming to the Rogue Valley. She’s enjoyed success with the Stingrays to the tune of a regional qualification as an 11-year-old and berths in the state championships at 13 and 14. Those accomplishments put Nelson on the Pirates’ radar before she even entered high school. "Somebody in the swimming community told me about her when she was in the seventh grade," Heath says. "They told me what her times were and how dedicated she was to improving. So we’ve had an eye on her." Nelson’s record-breaking times this season put her on track to qualify for the Class 3A state meet Feb. 21-22 at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, according to Heath, who has compared her marks to those from last year’s state meet as a reference. Assuming she gets there, Nelson will have a shot to record yet another Phoenix first — becoming the first Pirate girl to win a state title. Michael Oxendine, winner of the boys 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly in 1998, is the only Phoenix swimmer to ever pull of such a feat. But records, of course, are made to be broken. Something Nelson is proving almost every time she jumps in the pool. Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S