Nate Kramer, New Richmond swim star, taking his talents to UC

Nate Kramer, New Richmond High School senior, has signed a collegiate letter-of-intent to continue his education and his athletic career at the University of Cincinnati. He plans to major in the field of business with an emphasis on marketing.

“I chose UC because it’s close to home and offered what I wanted,” said Kramer.

His parents, Vince and Deann Kramer, are happy with his choice.

“He got offers from Ohio State, UC, and Louisville,” said Nate’s dad. “We visited the UC campus and the coach there helped him to make up his mind. “We’re surprised, very pleasantly surprised with his decision.”

“I’m glad to have him close to home,” said Nate’s mom. “We know he’ll get a great education at UC.”

Kramer has distinguished himself in Clermont County sports history as one of its most successful swimming competitors. Amazingly, he began seriously training in the sport just two years ago.

He is a four-year letterman in golf and lettered the last two years in the water.

"I got cut from the seventh grade basketball team and I thought I'd make it for sure. That caused me to switch to swimming," said Kramer whose aquatic training began that same year. He began swimming competitively during his sophomore year as a member of the Anderson Barracudas.

The two-time, two-event state placer considers the 200-yard freestyle as his favorite event. He owns the school records in the 200 free (1-minute, 42.92-seconds), 200 individual medley (2:02.17), 500 free (4:39.14), 100 butterfly (54.50), 100 backstroke (56.31), and the 50 free (23.42). He also holds the New Richmond pool record in the 100 back (56.67). His records in the 200 free and 500 free were established in the state championship meet this year, at Branin Natatorium, in Canton, where he scored points for New Richmond by finishing in eight place and 10th place, respectively.

The state championship meet his senior year was the highlight of Nate's prep athletic career. "The state was pretty cool. There was so much energy there," he said.

Kramer is very appreciative of important people in his life. "My mom and dad have always been there for me no matter what...Judy and Joe Middeler (Lion swimming coaches) helped me through everything...Jeremy Bannon and Keith Ferrara (Anderson Barracuda coaches) were the ones who gave me the training to get where I am."

"He is a quality person all the way around and he is so self-motivated," said Judy Middeler.

Her twin brother, Joe, said, "He is an outstanding individual and a great role model."