By Kate Ericsson Special to SWoCo
Swimming with the grace of a dancer and the speed of a sprinter, Khalil Fonder, a rising third-grader at W.E. Cundiff, is making waves in the swimming world locally and nationally.
Khalil has been swimming for Forest Hills Swim Club in the summer and year-round at the Gator Aquatic Center for the past four years. He holds Gator team records in 50 fly, 50 back and 100 fly, and has a national USA swimming record for 50 fly, ranking eighth in the country in the 8 and under division. He was the recipient of the Tyler Nordgren Award given by the Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association in 2006 — an award given to younger swimmers embodying enthusiasm and ability to overcome challenges.
This year Khalil is swimming in the 9-10 age group for Forest Hills, but is confident that he’ll continue to set records and place in meets. He counts his family as his source of inspiration and motivation. “I love my Mom. She does so much for me and always takes me to my sports practices.”
He follows in the footsteps of big swimmers: his two older sisters swam for Virginia Tech and Radford. His parents, Doug and Kathy Fonder, are coaches at the Gator Club, so swimming is not just recreational — it’s a way of life for the Fonders.
Khalil believes his swimming helps him outside of the pool. “It helps me run fast in baseball and gives me energy on the basketball court.” He enjoys team sports as much as swimming, but believes that swimming is the sport that taught him “to always do my best and be a good sport.”
Fellow Gator swimmer Emma Cartledge said, “Khalil is fun to have on the team. He’s very encouraging.”
Teammate Keith Myburgh agrees. “We have a lot of fun before and after practice together.”
Outside of sports he spends time with friends, keeps up with his homework, plays Webkinz and Wii video games, takes care of his Siberian husky puppy and shoots hoops on his backyard basketball court.
Despite all his interests, swimming is his passion. The only sports injury that has deterred Khalil from practicing was a minor one — to his pinky — that happened at school. “Nothing stops me from swimming,” said Khalil.
Kate Ericsson is a former classroom teacher and reading specialist who currently tutors, writes, runs and tries to keep up with her kids.|
Forest Hills Swim Club
n Located at 3360 Kenwick Trail in the Cave Spring Area. The summer swim team is part of the Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association (swimrvaa.com). Forest Hills competes in Monday night swim meets and a final city/county championship to be held July 25 and 26 at the Salem YMCA.
n Web site: foresthillsswimclub.com)
(c) 2008 Roanoke Times & World News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Comments