Published: January 03, 2007 10:04 pm      

HS SWIMMING: European exchange

East German, Lockportian find common ground in the water

LOCKPORT — The best relay team in the Lockport High School swim program is the Scranton family.

East German foreign exchange student Norman Schmidt, 16, a quality swimmer, was in need of a host family last fall and the Scrantons — one of the most productive and positive forces in the history of Lockport swimming — seemed a natural fit.

Scott, 17, also an LHS senior, is the third Scranton brother (former Section VI champions Jeff 1994, Mark 2001) in the LHS program, said Lions head coach John Sullivan.

“The Scrantons stepped in and picked up the ball. It just worked out well,” Sullivan said.

“It was a comfort level for Norman with Scott being a swimmer. Mark’s wife was a swimmer as well. It made the adjustment a lot easier for Norman. The Scrantons have been involved in the Lockport swimming program for so long.”

Schmidt, the son of Harald and Petra Schmidt of Grimma, East Germany, has already qualified for three state meet events, the 100-yard butterfly, 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley.

“It’s different,” Norman said of his first trip to the United States. “The food is different here. There’s a lot more fast food here. And the way Americans live — everyone drives. There’s a lot more vehicles on the road here. In Europe people drive smaller cars.”

Scott, the son of Dave and Kathy Scranton of Hallmark Lane in the Town of Lockport, said the idea to host Schmidt came suddenly.

“It was really all of a sudden. It just happened. He needed a place to stay and we had an extra room,” Scott said.

“The hardest thing for me was getting used to waking up at 5 a.m. and getting dragged by Norman down to the weight room. But it’s helped us in the pool. ”

Sullivan said Norman has been a positive influence on Scott, who excels in the 50 and 100 freestyles and is a member of two LHS relays, the 200 and 400 freestyles.

“Scott and Norman have been good for each other,” Sullivan said.

“Not only did the Scranton family make it a lot easier for Norman to fit in, but he’s been a positive influence on Scott with training. The weight room training for both is something that will show up at the end of the season and shows their commitment to improvement.

“Scott’s been in the program for six years and he always had a good feel for the water and great potential,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said a major obstacle Schmidt had to overcome was the difference in pool size. Throughout Europe, he competes on pools that are 50 meters in length. Schools in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association are 50 yards.

Outside of the pool, Schmidt said he likes the way he’s been treated here.

“Because I’m an exchange student, everyone treats me special. Americans are more friendly I think,” said Schmidt, whose brother, Christopher, 19, was a foreign exchange student and swam for Niagara Falls High School three years ago.

“The girls are prettier here. The practices are different — less technical. It’s easier, but a lot more fun. I don’t like the gossip that goes around quickly. You say something and everyone knows about it a day later.”

Scott also has one sister, Sue, 27.