Philabaum plans to continue swimming career at Urbana University
Swimmer: Coshocton High School senior swimmer Bryce Philabaum signed his letter of intent to swim at Urbana University on April 18 in the library at CHS. Pictured with Philabaum are his mother and father Cathy and Steve Philabaum. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers
COSHOCTON – Bryce Philabaum always had in the back of his mind that he wanted to swim in college.
“My freshman and sophomore year I didn’t know if I would be good enough at that point and my junior year I realized how much work it was going to take,” said the Coshocton High School senior and member of the varsity swim team.
All of Philabaum’s hard work in the pool paid off on April 18 when he signed his letter of intent to swim at Urbana University.
“I have a friend who went there and is on the team and heard him talk about the school,” Philabaum said. “I ended up liking the coach and it’s not too far away.”
His parents, Steve and Cathy Philabaum are excited for their son.
“He’s worked extra hard and has excelled in the pool and classroom,” Steve said. “Urbana also isn’t too far from home, but still gives him a little space. It’s a nice little campus and he will be able to focus on his studies and swimming.”
Bryce holds individual swimming records at CHS in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley and is on the school record 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay. He also holds the ECOL record in the 100 backstroke.
“What I like about swimming is that it’s all on you,” Bryce said. “You can’t blame anything on someone else. If you get success you know that is on yourself.”
He carries a 3.66 GPA at CHS and plans to major in psychology at Urbana and become a clinical psychiatrist.
“I want to thank my parents who also put in a lot of hard work, my coaches, my school for supporting me, my swim teammates for pushing me at practice and my friends who said I couldn’t do it so I could prove them wrong,” Bryce said.
Cari Weaver is very proud to have been Bryce’s coach.
“Urbana is lucky,” she said. “They are getting a hardworking swimmer who always wants to do his best.”
Cathy can’t wait to go watch her son swim at Urbana.
“I’m extremely proud of him,” she said.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: High School, Sports
