The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Parkland victim was decorated swimmer
Across our country, flags wave lower, at half-staff a solemn sign of a national tragedy.
A little less than a week has gone by since the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that claimed the lives of 14 students and three adults and permanently altered countless more lives.
Sadly, in our corner of the world, a school shooting and its aftermath is far too familiar, as our friends in Chardon can attest.
When you watch the coverage of a tragedy such as a school shooting, one of its most jarring elements is seeing the number of fatalities on the screen. Albeit briefly, the number may unintentionally become as much of a focus as each life taken.
But there were lives behind those numbers — vibrant lives whose stories should be relayed to anyone willing to listen.
As we embark on the most important week for high school swimming in Ohio and gather in Canton for the state meet, let us pause to honor a member of the family elsewhere.
Nicholas Dworet had it all: A swimming scholarship to the University of Indianapolis. Captain of his high school swim team. One of the top sprint freestyle swimmers in Florida. The best state meet of his high school career this past fall. Aspirations of competing for Sweden in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. A community, friends and family who adored him.
By October 2012, Dworet had recorded his first Junior Olympic cut in 50 freestyle and was named swimmer of the month by his club program. His age group coach said at the time, “He is becoming more focused and intense on making swimming a priority in his life.”
Throughout his high school career, it was clear how true that was.
As a junior in 2016, Dworet made his first charge toward the state meet in Florida, where swimming is a fall sport. In Class 4A, he was a district runner-up and regional champion in 50 free and swam key legs on 200 medley and 200 free relays. At state, he advanced to the finals in 50 free, 12th with a 22.10, and was 11th on 200 free relay with a 22.33 opener.
“I’m telling you from the bottom of my heart, he just took his life in his hands and he chiseled and molded his life,” his club
coach Andre Bailey told the Indianapolis Star.
A life, he hoped, that would lead him to Tokyo. He noted his Swedish junior cuts on social media, and his club posted a picture on Instagram with Swedish star Sarah Sjostrom, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in women’s 100 butterfly.
Dworet was locked in for his final high school postseason this past fall. He doubled as sprint free champion at district and anchored the victorious 200 free relay. At regional, he was third in 50 and 100 free and delivered a 21.31 anchor as his 200 free relay took second.
Then at state, Dworet enjoyed the best swim of his high school career, securing fifth in 100 free with a 46.53, then taking 11th in 50 free (21.62). For his final high school swim, Dworet had a 20.99 anchor leg on 200 free relay.
“I can’t believe this is my last States!” he wrote on Instagram. “I couldn’t have made it here without my amazing girlfriend, my family, my coaches and my friends. I want to thank
you all. I love you guys. I can’t wait to see where my swimming career takes me in the future.”
A 2016 honorable mention and 2017 second-team all-Broward County selection, Dworet deserved to find out. Last month, he signed his national letter of intent with UIndy.
“I can’t wait to spend the next 4 years here!” he posted on Instagram.
On Feb. 14, that chance was tragically taken away.
Nicholas Dworet was one of the 14 students who didn’t come home from Stoneman Douglas. His brother was also shot and had to be hospitalized.
His family and friends initially believed him to be missing amid the chaos, launching an urgent call for information. Then they found out. Less than a day removed from a pain to which there is no easy healing path and which no young person should ever have to endure, Brooke Baldwin asked Connor Dietrich live on CNN about his swim team captain.
“People I see every single day of my life, I am never going to see again,” Dietrich said.
“Nick was our swim team captain. He was a friend to everyone on our team. It didn’t matter how well you knew him. He was there for you. He was cheering you on. He was making sure you had everything you needed at your meet. He just cared so much about everyone on our team. It’s awful that this happened, and he didn’t deserve it.” The Instagram posts. The race videos on Instagram and YouTube. A young man’s memory. It all took on much more symbolism.
A teammate of Dworet’s tweeted, “Yesterday, the world failed us all. Rest in peace to such an amazing soul. It was an honor to swim by your side and you will forever be my cocaptain. You deserved the world and so much more. Nick Dworet, you will never be forgotten”
News reached Sjostrom, who posted a picture with Dworet and expressed condolences to his family.
A GoFundMe page was set up by his cousin, and Dworet’s family relayed
their grief on Facebook.
“He believed he could accomplish anything as long as he tried his best,” it read in part.
Thoughts and sympathy are kind. But there comes a point at which it becomes hardly more than words and sentiment.
Alyssa. Scott. Martin. Aaron. Jaime. Chris. Luke. Cara. Gina. Joaquin. Alaina. Meadow. Helena. Alex. Carmen. Peter. And Nicholas. Their names should be more than a total number.
Hopefully, in the name of human decency, their lives help spark change that is long overdue.
To Ohio’s high school swimming community, I urge you to remember Nicholas Dworet when you compete this weekend — not only for what he meant to your sport, but also for what we have lost.
His story of promise is one of many. But it is one of far too many that has ended far too soon.