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Lafayette Hill's Whitley Named SI's SportsKid of the Year

Published  November 30, 2015 3:36pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Philadelphia may not have had its greatest sports year ever in 2015, but thanks to a 15-year-old swimmer from Lafayette Hill, the region isn't completely without athletic accolades this year.

Reece Whitley, a sophomore at William Penn Charter School, has been named SportsKid of the Year by Sports Illustrated's SIKids.com. The 6'8" swimmer was announced Monday as this year's SportsKid.

The win marks two in a row for the Philadelphia area; baseball phenom Mo'ne Davis of the Taney Dragons was SportsKid of the Year in 2014.

Whitley competed this year in the Speedo Junior National Championships, FINA World Junior Championships and Philips 66 National Championships and has lowered several national age group records.

SI wrote that Whitley was chosen "for his talent, humility, and willingness to mentor younger athletes in his sport."

Whitley was congratulated on Twitter by First Lady Michelle Obama: