Gilmer Buckeye swimmer Grant Koudelka signed to swim for The University of Texas at Austin Wednesday. While he had received other offers, because of the quality of the Texas engineering program, Koudelka had secretly hoped for UT all along.

In the 100-meter freestyle, his personal best in the long course is 52.74, while in the short course (100 yards) he has a time of 45.45 and won second in state this year.

In the 200-yard freestyle he swam in 1:53.14, just 1/4 second below the cutoff for the Olympic Trials.

Before the signing, his father, a UT Ex, addressed the group.

“I want to thank Amy (Ward), Beverly (Grimes) and everyone for the support they gave Grant,” Charles Koudelka said. “The families of other swimmers did not get near the support you have given us.”

The support included the two women attending meets as official representatives of Gilmer High, so if any question of eligibility came up. there was an official representative available.

From the community it included a wall in a teacher’s room about his accomplishments, church friends urging him on and grandparents commenting on news reports on his success.

“It was a learning experience for all of us,” Jeff Traylor explained. “We called UIL to learn how to get an athlete qualified as a swimmer. Amy and Beverly did a great job of doing the paperwork, and I just signed it.”

“Grant represents Gilmer so well,” Traylor told The Mirror. “He is easy to root for. He and his family are easy to support.”

Traylor and superintendent Rick Albritton joined Mmes. Ward and Grimes at the state swim meet in Austin this year.