BHS Swim Standout John Carter to Swim for Fairmont State on Athletic Scholarship
By Julie Perine on March 21, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
John Carter has been a competitive swimmer for nine years; starting as a Bridgeport Wildcatter and advancing to Parkersburg Club and Bridgeport High School swim teams. After capping off his high school swim career with an undefeated season and five pieces of state championship hardware, Carter will swim for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons on an athletic scholarship.
It all became official Wednesday afternoon at BHS, where Carter signed off on the collegiate deal.
“John had a stellar season. I think this was his best year yet,” said BHS Swim Coach Jan Grisso. “I’m happy to see him go on to swim at Fairmont State and I just wish him all the luck. I think he will do very well. Fairmont has a strong boys’ team and I think John will have an immediate impact.”
Carter said he follows FSU swimming and already knows some of his future team members, including BHS graduates Becka Crandall and Harrison Hess. He’s ready to dive in, work hard, and be an integral part of the team. He also likes the Fairmont State campus, where he plans to study pre-medicine.
“It’s a small campus, which is really important to me and I like that it is close to home,” he said.
Carter played various youth sports, including soccer, basketball and baseball. He said it was his freshman year in high school when he discovered how much he loved swimming and decided to focus on bettering himself in that sport.
“I love the competitiveness with other people. I think it’s great to look next to me and think about beating them,” he said.
For four years, he swam for both BHS and Parkersburg Club swimming, practicing at Salem University. In so doing, he came across a couple individuals who mentored and motivated him.
“(BHS Assistant Swim Coach) Jack Merinar has really offered me tips and helped me out,” Carter said. “Rick Johnson, who coached me at Salem University, really pushed me, gave me drive and inspired my love for swimming.”
After working with Carter for the past six years, Johnson said he can say he is one of the most determined kids he has ever coached.
“He always puts a lot of effort into it,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we butted heads a little bit and it’s been a long journey, but I couldn’t be more proud of how he finished. (FSU) Coach Pat (Snively) is getting a great young man, a great student and a great swimmer.”
Johnson is certainly excited to see Carter use the sport he loves to further his education, but admits it is bittersweet. Also the swim coach for Salem University, he said it will be a little surreal next season, competing against Fairmont State with Carter part of the team.
“It’s honestly going to be rough, looking across the pool and him not being there on my team,” Johnson said. “John is a really good teammate. He pushed all the kids to be better swimmers in the pool each day at practice, no matter how young they were. He was a good role model and a good kid.”
Carter said his teammates have also played a major role.
“The team spirit is amazing. It’s really heartwarming to see everybody together and determined to win as a team and not just their individual events,” Carter said. “That’s really cool.”
Carter was BHS Male Swimmer of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and Rookie of the Year in 2015. He was a four-year member of the All-County and All-Big 10 first teams, four-year regional and state qualifier and four-year state finalist.
At the 2019 state swim meet, Carter, Randy Keener, Luke Pinti and Kyle Malcolm captured the victory in the 200-yard medley relay. Carter, Malcolm, Marcel Rodriquez and Phillip Malenich teamed up for the record-breaking 200-yard freestyle relay victory, finishing in 1:33.51.
Carter also claimed second place in the 50-yard freestyle and third place in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Carter is also a four-year member of the BHS Track Team, participating in 100- and 200-yard sprints. While at BHS, he was also a member of Drug-Free Clubs of America and BHS Key Club. He also received academic lamps and letters his junior and senior years.
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The Bridgeport High School swim team went undefeated for the 2018-19 season. The boys went on to take the Class AA state championship held at the West Virginia University Natatorium. Read about states and Carter's finishes HERE.
Editor's Note: Carter was supported at Wednesday's signing by his parents John and Debbie Carter, BHS Swim Coaches Jan Grisso, Jack Merinar and Wendy Madden, Salem University/Parkersburg Sharks out of Salem Swim Coach Rick Johnson and several members of the Tribe swim team, all pictured above.
NOTE: The Tribe's Sarah Stallman also signed with Fairmont State Wednesday afternoon. Read her story HERE.
