GAMBIER — One of the most successful swimming clubs in the country is coming to Knox County.
The Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio has an agreement with Kenyon College to begin an age group swimming program to the area.
GCSTO is centered in Columbus and has been ranked in the Top 100 teams in America. Right now, the group operates out of four pools in Columbus and one in Mansfield. The current branches are home to more than 250 athletes ranging in age from 6 to 19.
The club has a history of having the top swimmers in the country. Olympic level and national championship swimmers have competed for the GCSTO. Last year, the OHSAA state tournament was represented by over 20 high school swimmers from the Mansfield branch alone. Many go on to compete at the collegiate level.
“The high schools let us train these kids,” said GCSTO head coach Steve Nye. “It’s a great working relationship. We’re developing these kids. Other coaches see this and say, ‘okay, we’ll send our kids to you as well.’”
Nye said schools — and swimmers — benefit from their unique style of training. The GCSTO teaches not only advanced swim techniques, but also different ways to become more athletic as a whole.
