Kankakee Times

Foot problems led to a swimming career for Frank Tapia.

Tapia, a senior on the Olivet Nazarene University swimming and diving team, was wearing braces on his legs for help with his feet when he was growing up in Venezuela. The braces made it hard for him to walk, and the other kids made fun of him. Then, an orthopedic doctor recommended swimming as a way to deal with the issues.

“It kind of cured me, and I kind of stuck with it,” Tapia told the Kankakee Times.

Frank Tapia | Contributed photo

That determination has been ONU's gain, as Tapia, a senior, is a five-time NAIA individual champion with the Tigers, who are the defending national champions.

Tapia is currently on the sidelines as the NAIA rules on some community-college credits he took in Florida. He has not competed yet this season.

Tapia was sent by his family to the U.S. because of the difficulties of crime and corruption in Venezuela, he said. When he arrived in Florida, he did not know how to speak English.

He took English classes at St. Petersburg College and swam for the Clearwater Aquatic Team, an area swimming club. After he finished learning English, he discussed with his club coach, Randy Reese, what schools he should attend.

Reese gave Tapia a list of colleges, and Tapia emailed each of them. ONU was on that list.

“(Tigers swimming coach) Scott Teeters was the first one to reply, so I just kind of went with it,” Tapia said.

His first season at ONU, the 2014-15 season, set the tone of success Tapia has had there. He won the national championships in the 200-meter butterfly and the 800-meter relay, and was runner-up in the 100-meter butterfly as the Tigers finished second in the nation, according to onutigers.com.

During the 2015-16 season, Tapia added more championships, earning national titles in the 100 and the 200 butterfly events and the 400 medley relay, as well as third place in the 800 freestyle relay. Those efforts were instrumental in ONU claiming the team national title.

“It's definitely been a great experience so far,” Tapia said.

Tapia said going from club competitions to a college team was a big transition. Club swimming is more focused on individual accomplishments, whereas a college program is centered on team accolades. There also was the daily grind to get used to. Tapia said his day starts by waking up at 5:30 a.m. to get to practice, which runs from 6-7:30 a.m. Then, it is off to classes, which start at 8 a.m., followed by more practice from 3-6 p.m. He also helps coach a local swim club.

Tapia also likes to help out away from the pool in the community, and he said his family back in Venezuela is doing well. As for his future in swimming, he said he has been offered a graduate-assistant position at ONU.

“I think that's going to be my next step,” he said.