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Athlete of the Week: Brian Swift

Freshman Del Prato wins cross country events to also get this award

Of course his last name fits perfectly for the position he plays. junior Brian Swift is just that. He’s swift through the holes and is able to sprint to open territory.

The second week of ‘s athletes of the week was highlighted by this junior’s selection. Naturally, the running back gave full credit to those big players blocking for him. On Sept. 2, he ran for 176 yards and a pair of touchdowns in ‘s 24-0 win over Urban Prep.

“My line gives me holes,” Swift said. “And I just run through them. And then I try to make the other guys miss.”

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To be honest, Swift is not the biggest running back around. He stands just 5-foot-7 but does pack a punch at 170 pounds. Still he seems to motor around just fine.

Swift began his football career in fifth grade. By the seventh grade, coaches began to notice how fast this Swift back was.

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“I was one of the big kids back then,” he said. “And I was faster than the other kids.”

Two years ago, Swift had a great introduction to the world of high school football. His freshman team won all nine games.

“We ran a different offense,” he said. “I think I got over 1,000 yards.”

Sophomore year wasn’t as much fun. He moved up the varsity after a few games but didn’t play all that much.

“I had maybe 30 carries,” Swift said.

So far, his junior year is going quite well. He’s also impressed with his team’s defensive play. is 2-0 heading to this week’s game against unbeaten Antioch.

“We are doing good,” he said. “Our defense is shutting down people. And our offense is starting to come together.”

Swift has played lacrosse in the past but may forgo it this season to concentrate on his new favorite sport.

“I would really like to focus on football right now,” he said. “I’d like to take it as it goes. I really haven’t thought of anything in the future just yet.”

Still any running back threatening to run for close to 200 yards in any game bears watching.

“I have a lot of confidence,” he said. “And a lot of confidence in our line.”

Also an athlete of the week is Kristi Del Prato. She’s in the ninth grade. That didn’t stop her from running in a varsity cross country meet on Saturday. And she won the race at that.

This freshman took on the competition at the Racine-Horlick Invitational held at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Her winning time was 15:34.8. Her performance helped to a team win.

To prove that was no fluke, she came back on Tuesday and won another race this time over Grant. A new cross country racer has made an immediate impression at .

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