Emma Hamrick, Sports Editor
On Nov. 1, students, faculty, and teammates of freshman swimmer Wiliam Minter gathered at the Church in the Springs in Ocala to say final goodbyes.
The Florida Southern College community lost Minter on Oct. 25 in the early morning after he was struck by a vehicle on U.S. 98. While confirmation regarding the nature of the accident has yet to be release, the tragedy has profoundly effected the FSC population.
“We lost an amazing young man this morning. William had a tremendous work ethic in and out of the water,” head swimming coach Mike Blum told swimming publication Swim Swam. “He will not only be missed by our team but the entire Florida Southern College athletic community. We want to send our deepest condolences to William’s family.”
Minter was a two-time MVP for his high school swimming team where attended the high school regional tournament both his junior and senior year. His junior year appearance marked the first junior in Lake Weir High School history. He graduated with high honors from LWHS in 2015 as a dual-enrollment student at the College of Central Florida with 30 college credits and a 4.4 GPA.
At FSC, Minter participated in the honors program and planned to study biology with a pre-med career track. He received a full academic scholarship to the college.
As a Moc, Minter swam in recent meets with the Mocs against the University of Tampa and Florida Tech. He participated in the 200 yard medley relay, 200 yard butterfly, and the 400 yard freestyle relay.
In an Ocala Prep article regarding Minter’s signing with FSC, Minter attributed his decision to attend the school to the immediate opportunity to swim alongside the Mocs and his experience during a campus visit. “The way they have it set up [at FSC}, is that everybody swims. The coach will evaluate me and put me in a spot where I can be used and I can swim right away,” Minter said. “I went on a visit there for a weekend to see what campus life was like and all that. I had a chance to talk to the coach and team captain, and they won me over. It’s a brotherhood and family who all work together.”
The FSC community continues to morn the loss of Minter and keeps him and his family in their prayers.
