junior SWIMMER(TM): Brennan Morris

Swimming World Magazine, Jun 2005

INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION FOR YOUNG SWIMMERS

NAG Record Setter BRENNAN MORRIS

* Team

Big Cat Aquatics State College, Pennsylvania

* National Age Croup Record Holder:

13-14 Boys 1650 Yard Freestyle

* Birthdate:

November 2, 1990

* Height:

5 feet, 9 inches

* Coach:

Jon Larson

* Short-term Goal:

To continue to train hard and achieve best times

* Long-term Goal:

To throw out the first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles game

Brennan Morris

Brennan grew up in upstate New York and began competitive swimming as a pre-schooler by racing the senior citizens at the local YMCA. Brennan and his family moved to Pennsylvania in 2001. In 2003, he joined Big Cat Aquatics under the direction of Coach Jon Larson.

This past March, at the Region I sectionals in Long Island N.Y., Brennan achieved his first World Championship Trials time standard by finishing the 1000 yard freestyle in a time of 9:19.04.

Two weeks later at the NCSA Junior Nationals in Orlando, FIa., Brennan continued to improve in the long distance freestyle events. He posted a time of 15:26.93 in the 1650 freestyle, breaking the 13-14 national age group record held by Paul Budd (15:28.92, set in 1980). In the 1000 freestyle, he improved to 9:12.96. His results in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle events were World Championship Trials qualifying times.

At that meet, he also posted impressive times in the 400 IM (3:59.35), 200 back (1:51.41) and 500 free (4:32.93). He is looking forward to an enjoyable summer long course season.

Brennan has two sisters (Kailey 17, and Camryne, 10) who are also very successful competitive swimmers.

HANG TIME:

When Brennan isn't in the pool, he enjoys playing basketball with his friends and playing with "Murphy" (his Jack Russell Terrier). He's also a huge Baltimore Orioles baseball fan. His favorite food is Swedish Fish.

TRAINING:

Brennan has nine workouts a week, including three days a week in which he does doubles.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING:

How competitive the sport is and that you can always have fun.