Jackson Memorial senior will attend West Point
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - A Jackson Memorial High School wrestler has made the decision to accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy.

Robert Swan's respect for the military goes back to a childhood visit he made with a cousin to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Swan, a Jackson Memorial High School senior, will now be able to combine his desire to serve his country with his love for wrestling as he plans to join the ranks of cadets at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in the fall.

"It was a path I decided I wanted to take and now here I am," said Swan, who wrestled at 119 pounds for the Jaguars this past season. "I'm excited to get out there and see what it's all about. I know how tough it's going to be, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Swan recently accepted the appointment to West Point and signed a letter of intent to participate in the wrestling program at the NCAA Division I institution.

His parents said they are proud of their son and all he has accomplished.

"I'm very proud that he has dedicated himself for the past four years to go to West Point and now he has done it," said Swan's father, Robert. "He has become an accomplished athlete and a very accomplished student. To have a goal like this for all four years and to maintain the level of dedication you need to attain it is quite an accomplishment."

Swan's mother, Patricia, said she is looking forward to the lessons her son will learn inside and outside the classroom.

"It is a great opportunity for him and I just know he will do well," she said. They are going to train him to be a leader in the army and maybe even teach him to clean up his room, too."

Robert and Patricia said people have asked them how they feel about knowing their son could end up in harm's way as part of the United States armed forces.

"There are a lot of people who came before him who have served and there will be others after him," Robert said. "We're just proud of him."

Jackson Memorial wrestling coach Scott Goodale said he has no doubt Swan will do well at West Point.

"He is a very hard-working individual who has a great foundation in discipline and in working within the program," Goodale said. "In our program we always go back to tradition, discipline and the sense that we are a family. Rob has an appreciation for all those things inside of him and I know he will do well in whatever he does."