Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid: Kevin McPherson

Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Kevin McPherson, 14

School: Tartan High School

Accomplishment: McPherson recently competed in Topeka, KS, at the 2011 Central Zone Championship, a USA Swim Meet featuring top swimmers from 11 states.

Key to Awesomeness: McPherson, an avid swimmer for nearly eight years, is a member of the OMNI Otters Swim Club and a dedicated member of Tartan’s swim team.

McPherson made it to the championship by receiving an overall ranking of sixth place in the State tournament prior to the competition in Kansas.  McPherson said he did extremely well in the championship by making 12^th place. 

McPherson said his favorite part of the competition was being able to compete with all the kids from different states around him.

According to McPherson, his greatest motivation is not only the support of his peers, but the pressure of his swim meets as well. 

McPherson does not participate in any other sports or activities but has high hopes of receiving a swimming scholarship and continuing his swimming career beyond high school. 

Each week, Oakdale Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to patty.busse@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information: nominator's name, nominator's e-mail, Whiz Kid's name, Whiz Kid's age, Whiz Kid's school, Whiz Kid's accomplishment, Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail patty.busse@patch.com.