TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

East Bay Senior Leads By Example

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

GIBSONTON - East Bay High School senior Christopher Collins is the first to admit it - he has a hard time sitting still and doing nothing.

"I guess you can say I like to keep busy," Collins said.

In addition to being a member of the Indians' wrestling and swimming teams, he also enjoys playing tennis and running track.

As a member of the swim team in the fall, Collins, 17, participated in the district meet and finished third in the 100-yard backstroke and fifth in the 200-yard individual medley.

Collins is a captain on the wrestling team, and his coach says he leads by example.

"He looked up wrestling camp information on his own in the off-season and made it available for all his teammates," said Erik Matricardi, head coach of the wrestling team. "He's always displayed a maturity beyond his years."

Collins has wrestled all four of his years at East Bay and has compiled a 23-1 record as a member of the varsity squad.

"Sometimes, I'd be practicing with the swim team and I'd get a case of wrestler-itis and really get the itch to get to the mat, but I also live by the water, so I always love to go swimming," said Collins, who lives in Apollo Beach.

Born in Virginia Beach, the son of a Navy SEAL has lived in Spain, Kansas and Ohio.

Although Collins has lived in Florida for seven years, he's going to have to pack his bags again in the fall - he has been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

"I found out right before Christmas so my family was very excited," said Collins, who is also a member of the school's debate team.

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Christopher Collins

AGE: 17

SCHOOL: East Bay High School

SPORTS: Wrestling and swimming

FUTURE PLANS: Attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT