GALION, Ohio — Galion High School All-Ohioan Sam DeNero will transition from a Tiger to a Raider after signing his official letter of intent to continue his swimming career at Wright State University in Dayton.
Flanked by his family and Galion swim coach Ted Temple, DeNero inked his name on Tuesday morning as the rest of the Galion swim team gathered to wish him well. Temple noted he remembered a time four years ago when he could look eye-to-eye with the 6-foot-5 senior swimmer.
“I looked at him and said, he’s going to be a great sprinter,” Temple recalled. “I knew he had the talent. He’s been a great person to coach and a great person to help others on the team.”
DeNero is a six-time All-Ohio swimmer, was named the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year in 2015, and holds three individual and three relay swimming records at Galion High School. Recently he finished third in the 50-meter freestyle at the state swimming and diving championships, with a time of 21.20 seconds.
Beating his own time is one goal DeNero plans to achieve at Wright State.
“I’m always focused on improvement, and beating my best time,” he said. “I love to continue what I’m doing, and keep working out and getting better.”
Temple has an even loftier goal in mind.
“With college-level training, I think you’re looking at a future low 19,” said Temple. “I think he’s going to be a great college sprinter.”
DeNero always had an aptitude for swimming, according to his parents. It’s a trait he shares with his sister Allison, a freshman at Galion also on the swim team.
“We couldn’t keep him out of the water,” joked his mother, Andrea. “He’s loved it from the get-go. It’s been fun, and I’m glad to see it continue.”
“It’s going to be awesome,” added his father, Doug. “He deserved it, he worked hard for it, and I’m excited to go see him. We couldn’t be more proud.”
Swaying DeNero’s decision to attend Wright State was newer dorm rooms, kind coaches and a similar training regimen – he noted he would be lifting on dry land during the summer to prepare for the winter season. As for the challenge of competing at a higher level, DeNero said he’s up for it.
“I’m always nervous, even for YMCA meets I get the same feeling, so I think it’ll be the same but at a bigger level,” he said. “It’s the only sport I really do, and I’m good at it, it keeps me focused. I’ve always loved the water.”
Crawford County All-Star 2013, 2014, 2015
NCC Champ 50 Freestyle, 2013, 2014, 1st Team NCC
MOAC Champ 50 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay 2015
1st Team MOAC 2015
MOAC Swimmer of the year 2015
Sectional Champ 50 Freestyle 2014, 2015,
District Champ 50 Freestyle 2014, 2015, 3rd place 100 Freestyle 2015
All-Ohio 50 Freestyle 2013, 2014, 2015 (8th,3rd,3rd respectively)
All-Ohio 100 Freestyle 2015 (12th), 200 Medley Relay 2014 (13th), 400 Freestyle Relay 2014(13th)
State Qualifier 100 Freestyle 2014, 2015
Holds 6 GHS Records in 3 individuals (50 free, 100 free, 100 fly) and 3 Relays (200 Free, 200 Medley, and 400 Free)
Athlete of the Week WQEL/WBCO 2014, 2015
Athlete of the Week Richland Source 2015
