Reece Whitley Up For SI Kids ‘SportsKid Of The Year’

Fan favorite and towering breaststroker Reece Whitley is one of five young athletes nominated for Sports Illustrated Kids’ ‘SportsKid of the Year 2015’.

Already 6’8” at just 15 years old, his stature isn’t the only thing that sets Whitley apart from the other nominees. The field includes e a rock climber, speedskater, track & field athlete and taekwondo specialist.  Whitley’s young swimming career has already seen him rocket to the upper echelon of the USA Swimming breaststroking scene, capturing a spot on the National Junior Team roster for both the 100m and 200m events.

On the international level, Whitley recently competed at the 2015 FINA World Junior Championships in Singapore, where he snagged two silver medals.  His time of 1:01.00 captured the runner-up prize in the men’s individual 100m breaststroke, while his 1:00.82 split earned him another silver as part of the men’s 400m medley relay.

Whitley followed up those remarkable achievements with another notable swim, this time at the 2015 U.S. Summer Nationals.  Whitley powered his way to a B-Final win of the men’s 200m breaststroke in a time of 2:11.30, a new boys’ 15-16 National Age Group Record for the Penn Charter Aquatic Club phenom.

The boys’ 13-14 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke National Age Group Records are still held by Whitley, who has already qualified to swim both races at next summer’s U.S. Olympic Trials.

The voting for SI Kids’ SportsKid of the Year is now open and closes at 12:00pm ET on October 13th. You can cast your vote here.