Annapolis Teen Qualifies for World Championship Swim Meet

An Annapolis High School junior recently turned heads across the country by placing first in a world championship qualifying meet.

Before the sun comes up, Gavin Colley and his parents drive an hour to Baltimore and back every morning before school to practice at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. The prestigious facility is where Olympian Michael Phelps trained, and still visits regularly.

Training here affords Colley some of the best coaching available in the country, and opened him up to a network of peers who are just as supportive outside the water as they are competitive within.

All the hard work paid off in March, when 16-year-old Colley took the top spot in a 400-meter swim against some of the best talent in the East Coast, with ages ranging from 14 to 26. The qualifying meet in Buffalo, NY, puts Colley on track for the world championship trials in June.

It’s the Olympics for the years where there are no Olympics. But does Colley dream of one day chasing Phelps to Olympic gold?

“Of course, that’s everyone’s dream. It would be great, but there’s still a lot to do before then,” the Annapolis teen said. “In the short term, my mind is focused on training for the upcoming trials.”

Colley also has college to consider, and is hoping to land a scholarship or two based on his performances in the pool.

“We’re very proud of him, of course,” said Gavin’s father, Doug Colley. “His swimming is really a source of family pride. We all get a big smile out of that.”

He said his son gave him the medal he earned at the March qualifying meet.

“That was a big deal to me, because I’m not just his dad. I’m his biggest fan."