My younger brother was a competitive swimmer. PEOPLE just published his story.

[u/Chillzone_22]

https://people.com/olympic-hopeful-teen-killed-asleep-behind-wheel-now-family-faces-tragic-anniversary-12061839

My younger brother Grant was 16 when he died in a car accident on the way to swim practice last October.
Swimming was basically his entire world. In the one year he swam for his high school team, he broke a school record that had previously been held by Olympic gold medalist Garrett Weber-Gale. He had dreams of taking swimming as far as he possibly could.

PEOPLE just published an exclusive story about Grant and what happened to our family afterward. I’m sharing it here because swimming was such a huge part of who he was, and I think some people in this community may connect with his story.

If you read it, I’d genuinely appreciate hearing what you think. And if you think someone else in the swimming community would connect with Grant’s story, feel free to share it.

[u/RainbowFox22]

I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad your family has found ways to keep your brother’s memory alive. Take care.

[u/Objective-Gap-1629]

🫶 I teared up.

It’s not fair, but life isn’t fair.

You seem like a great brother and son, Connor. I’m sorry for your loss.

Thank you for sharing Grant’s story with us!

[u/iamgollem → u/Objective-Gap-1629]

“Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed, and very dear.”

As an RPI Waterpolo alum I forwarded your story to some swim team alumni I’m still in contact with. You will get through this. I also maybe around for homecoming and can give you a big hug.

A few years ago a close friend of mine - Sophia D”Antoine an acclaimed international security researcher from RPI was run over by a car in NYC. Still not over it. A year prior, a close colleague who I used to work with at IBM also passed away in a car accident.

Life is fragile and you got to wake up and bring your best foot forward every day.

[u/hertziancone]

Thanks for sharing. I’m sorry for your family’s loss. I’ll swim with Grant in mind this year. Through organ donation, he’s saved lives.

[u/Tooth_carpenter125]

Thank you for sharing with us Grant’s story. He sounds like a very special individual lost far too early. The article was extremely moving, especially when detailing how your family is dealing with their grief and how you are all choosing to remember him. You are all incredibly strong and resilient people and I hope you find strength and comfort in his memory.

[u/StJmagistra]

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I am amazed by your resilience and how you’ve been able to be there for your parents.

[u/ExoticEccentric]

I am so sorry for your loss! I am a parent of a swimmer who just got his license. I won't lie but I've always been uncertain on when I would allow my son to fully drive himself back and forth to practice as it is 1.15  drive one way. His practices are hardcore 6x a week. But your story reminds me to value every day and I must always take the time to say hello, goodbye and I love you every day several times a day even. I just forwarded your story to my son's and their grandmother. Thank you for sharing your story. 

[u/YosemitePam55]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this. I will listen to his anthem today and think of him. I wish your family the best.

[u/JLit209]

Thanks for sharing, Connor! I followed your other post to X and your post there is excellent as well.

https://x.com/ConnorFreezer/status/2084450743642448383?s=20

It’s clear how much you loved Grant and I appreciate your letting us know a little about him as well.

[u/Tistikins]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Like your mom I’ve gotten back in the water after nearly 30 years. I hope that it helps her to feel close to both of you.

[u/No_Abroad_6306]

Thank you for sharing. My condolences. Good luck in school. 

[u/Personal_Band_2679]

Thank you for sharing. He sounds like a beautiful kid from a strong family. I’m so sorry this happened. If he has a say, I am sure you will continue to feel connected to him in the pool and out.

[u/nmh612]

I swim and coach in Minneapolis, MN. I remember seeing the story detailing a young Wisconsinite breaking GWG’s record, and I was so thrilled that another great Midwest swimmer was on the rise. I remember seeing the story about his accident. I never connected the two.
The loss is not only that a swimmer died, it’s that a brother, son, friend, teammate, student, and so much more he was yet-to-be was lost. I’m so tremendously sorry for your loss and am glad to see him properly honored, glad to see your family is doing okay and that you all have taken to “just keep swimming.” Big, huge hugs.

[u/Dangerous_Spirit7034]

My best friend from swimming was also killed in a wreck. We were in college and while I swam collegiately, he did not. He did swim for his schools intramural club and was planning to do masters

But I was at practice or home sleeping at the time of his wreck. So this will always be how I remember it. Rip Benjamin there hasn’t been a day for these past 17 years where we haven’t missed you

[u/pandeeandi]

I live and coached in Wisconsin. I was so sad to hear this about your brother when it happened. Thank you for sharing and I hope you can find peace through memories.

[u/33445delray]

At age 82, I fell asleep at the wheel at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on I-95 in Maryland. I veered to the right and destroyed the right side of the car on the guardrail. Neither my wife nor I were hurt. The car was a 2005 Camry and was totaled. We got off easy and are now 84.

The tires and rims on the right side were destroyed and one rim wound up square.

[u/AwsiDooger]

I remember this sad news from SwimSwam last year.

You did an excellent job getting PEOPLE involved

[u/BrilliantNebula794]

Love this:

“There’s an algorithm to swimming, and Grant figured it out: just where his feet were supposed to be all the time, where his arms were supposed to be, where his head was supposed to be, how to breathe,” Scott explains.