Upper Arlington High School and Upper Arlington Swim Club assistant coach Gary Grant died on Friday night in a single vehicle crash. He was 38-years old.
A native of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, near New York City, Grant was a five-time New Jersey State High School Champion at Bergen Catholic, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He was named the state’s Swimmer of the Year as a senior in 2003. He also won six YMCA national titles, eventually going on to swim at Ohio State from 2003 through 2006.
“He was the best swimmer in New Jersey of his era and one of the fastest high schoolers in the country, who also happened to be an African American man who used his underwater fly kick and sheer determination to earn his way to College,” said Upper Arlington head girls coach John Sands.
“The more people who knew what a truly special person Gary was, I feel like that does some good,” Sands said of Grant, who he knew for almost two decades. “He always had incredible energy. Even beyond swimming, Gary was the type of person who made things fun, more enjoyable, brought a spark with him. He would do something to lighten the mood. He was incredibly fun and talented as a coach.”
In February, the Upper Arlington girls’ team won the Ohio Division I State Championship and the boys finished as runners-up. Grant was an assistant coach with both teams.
I remember the first time I saw Gary swim at Princeton. He was probably 14 at the time, but what an incredible athlete. Heard from many members of our swim team, that he was a nice guy and very approachable, despite being one of New Jersey’s all-time best swimmers.
Condolences to his wife & family, it’s always so difficult to understand such a loss.
So incredibly sad for his family, friends and swimmers he so obviously positively impacted. Please know that the swim community across the country is holding the Upper Arlington Swim Community in our thoughts and sending big hugs your way.
Condolences for this tragic loss.
Gary was such a great guy. I remember ynats with him and we ended up on several college recruiting trips together. Sending prayers for his family & swimmers 💕🙏
Absolutely heart breaking. Didn’t know him but so terribly young.
An article with testimonials from colleagues and swimmers here:
https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/high-school/swimming-diving/2024/03/18/upper-arlington-high-school-mourns-swimming-assistant-coach-gary-grant/73016174007/
RIP
Check the comments on the GoFundMe. He was a huge force in so many lives.
Praying for his family 😢