YORK, Pa. — York YMCA alum and current Wisconsin University swimmer Nathan Welker is on the national radar after competing in the Olympic trials this year.
It's an experience that swimmers can only dream of coming true, but his start began right in his backyard.
"Everything is just important to me here the people that I've met all the friends that I made along the way," said Welker. "It's been my home for 10 years, ever since I was eight until I was 18 and graduating."
The York YMCA swim team has been home to many elite swimmers all over the county for the past few years. With multiple alums coming back to train and compete in an elite environment under the director of coach John Nelson.
"All the kids pretty much have the same idea of why they are coming here they are coming to be better at swimming people and teammates," said Nelson. "That shared vision is a key part of the success."
Part of that success is helping get the swimmers to the top level. With Welker representing what it means to be on the top stage against the best.
"It was one of the best feelings that I've had, watching all those people I've grown up watching and being able to see them in person and race against them," said Welker. "It was a feeling that I would never forget."
While members like Welker are on the top stage, their accolades can be looked at as role models for the club going forward.
"To see them work this hard and this long and have goals and milestones like this reached I don’t know if this is the end," Nelson explained. "I think we have a lot to watch as they finish college and pursue even more goals."