Nathan Norris summed up his love of swimming in a splashingly awesome way.
“I like that you work toward one goal every season and you do it with a great group of friends,” said the Dexter senior swimmer. “The sport pushes you to be better.”
Nathan and his “great group of friends” having pushing each other to be better for the past four years with the Dexter swimming and diving team. They have pushed each other to the top of Division 2 for three consecutive years as Nathan and this great group of seniors take aim next month at four state titles.
So it’s not surprising to discover what Nathan’s goals are for this season.
“This year the team would like to win the fourth state title in a row,” he said. “My personal goal is to qualify and score points at the state meet in the 50 free.”
It’s also not surprising to learn that Dexter is on course for big things again at this year’s state meet. The Dreadnaughts are having another great season and had a strong showing at last weekend’s MISCA meet swimming against and competing with many of the top Division 1 teams in the state.
“This year’s team is similar to years past in that we have many talented swimmers like my fellow captains Nik Eberly and Casey Dolen that not only lead with speed, they lead with leadership,” Nathan said. “What makes Dexter so successful is the culture and traditions surrounding the swim team which pushes people during and out of season to swim fast and work even harder.”
And that hard work has its rewards. The Dexter blueprint has proven time and time again that if you put in the work and follow the plan you will be rewarded at the end. And what a great reward it is.
“The excitement of coming to the state meet and having the possibility of winning is a very special feeling,” Nathan says. “You watch each event and every event the points of every team pile up.”
And it always comes down to the last relay!
“It’s always us and someone else competing for first,” Nathan says. “Seeing that we won is so exhilarating, because of the fact that swimming is such an individual sport, it really brings the team together to realize what we have all accomplished.”
Nathan, the son of Sharon and Jon Norris, started swimming in the third grade.
“I started taking swim seriously when I was in middle school and started trying to get USA times,” he said. “I have swam with DCAC for my entire club experience. Coaches Dave, Eric, and Andrea have helped me throughout my swim carrier.”
During his freshman season at DHS, Nathan did the 100 breaststroke and the 200 IM, reaching the MISCA meet in both. As a sophomore, he did the 100 breaststroke and the 200 IM – again making the MISCA meet in both. Last year as a junior, Nathan did the 100 breaststroke and the 50 free, making MISCA in the 100 breast.
The Division 2 State Finals are March 8-9 at Eastern Michigan University.
