Warrior standout swimmer Niko Stines is bound for the University of Wisconsin to compete on the intercollegiate level. The Badger program is the 16th-ranked college swim team in the nation

Stines has been swimming competitively for 10 years and his scholarship to the Wisconsin program represents his most recent accomplishment. His career in the water started in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he spent part of his youth. His dad took him to a natatorium and Stines naturally took to the water. “My dad took me to swimming lessons and the swim coach from the local team looked at my strokes,” he said. “He wanted me to join the team and ever since then I’ve loved it.”

When Stines lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands, he was able to make it to the national youth team. He then came back to Atlanta his freshman year to join the Swim Atlanta swim team, as well as the North Atlanta High School Swim Team.

He has been a huge asset for the North Atlanta Swim team and has put it on the map as one of the top five swim teams in the state. This past December, Stines attended USA swimming Junior Nationals in Atlanta. He placed in the top 20 in his 100-free individual event, and the Swim Atlanta swim team placed in the top 10 among teams in the eastern U.S.

Stines’ success has been backed by great coaches both on the high school and club level. He credits his coaches Alan Joel and Doug Gjertsen for much of his development. “They have taught me great lessons not only in swimming but also in life,” he said. “They have helped me become the person that I am today while guiding my recruitment process. I would like to thank them for everything they have done for me, and my fellow swim mates.”

His coaches, parents, fellow teammates and the rest of The North Atlanta community are all very proud of Stines for his accomplishments so far. His fans are wondering how much farther he can go and whether a one-time Warrior athlete might one day get a taste of Olympic gold.