An Article From Our Local Paper

Harry Stephensen Checks out the beaches in Guam
Postcards from Guam
Local swimmer enjoys experience
By Tim Ritter • tritter@news-press.com • January 22, 2009

! Nearly a year ago, in February 2007, Harry Stephenson learned that he could have a chance to compete in Guam with the U.S. National Junior Swim Team.
He knew instantly that he wanted to go.
There was just one problem: Stephenson had no idea where Guam was.
"I thought it was in South America," the Gulf Coast Swim Team member said with a smile. "I Googled it and found out it was on the other side ..."
Life has been full of discoveries lately for the Lely High junior, who returned from the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships on the South Pacific island a little more than a week ago.
Among Stephenson's other discoveries:
- The world is full of other great open water swimmers.
"There was a lot of competition," he said of his friends and rivals at the meet, where Team USA topped Japan and Australia in the overall competition.
"Everyone was really fast."
- Guam is a long way from the United States.
Stephenson, who had never left the United States and counts Minnesota as his previous most distant destination, timed his trip back from Guam, which took him through airports in Hawaii, Los Angeles and Houston.
"It took 341Ú2 hours to get here," he said with a sigh. "I'm finally starting to get back to normal sleeping hours."
- As good as it feels competing for personal glory and accomplishment, it feels even better doing so for your country.
Stephenson and his teammates found the national spirit contagious so many miles from home.
"There was a lot of energy and a lot of team spirit," he said. "Everyone wanted to be there.
"We talked about it a lot - being out there for something bigger than yourself. You're representing the United States."
Don Henshaw, coach of the Gulf Coast Swim Team, which trains local swimmers and counts Stephenson among its 130 active members, said Stephenson's journey may have already inspired his teammates here to step up their efforts.
"I've got a pool full of guys that want to make it," Henshaw said, cocking a thumb over his shoulder and pointing to a pool in the Florida Gulf Coast University Aquatic Center where several swimmers were splashing through their practice laps.
"Harry opened the door for them and showed them it could be done."
The experience has made a profound impact on Stephenson, who said he understands the wealth of opportunities that swimming can bring him.
And he's definitely developed a taste for travel.
"I hope I can make it next year," he said. "I'm going to concentrate on making these teams and going to all these places."
With no Googling required.

Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
Team Results
Team Finish
1. USA 388
2. Australia 372
3. Japan 304
4. Canada 202
5. New Zealand 125
6. Guam 34
7. China 20
8. NMA* 12
9. Macau 1
9. Mexico 1
* North Mariana Islands