The issue of “Sports Illustrated” Magazine that hits the stands today features a Grinnell College student in its popular “Faces in the Crowd” section. Peter Brown was the 2006 Midwest Conference Swimmer of the Year. Brown says he’s honored to be chosen but adds it’s only possible because of the help of his teammates and coaches, and says he couldn’t have had such a great year without them. Brown was a four-time conference champion in the 100-yard freestyle event, as well as setting school records in the fifty-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle events.
Brown was asked which event is his best. He figures it’s the 100-yard freestyle. Brown, a senior at Grinnell, was the conference champion in the fifty-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle events, and helped the Pioneers win their fifth consecutive team title with his performance.
“My best memory of Grinnell College mostly revolves around the swim team,” Brown says, “especially at conference this last year, winning all of my events and helping the team win the championship.” On his way to the Men’s Swimmer of the Year award, Brown won the 100-meter freestyle for the fourth time in four years.
He says he liked the atmosphere of Grinnell when he was deciding where to go to school. He says he knew he wanted a small school in the Midwest. Brown applied to several different ones, but when he came here to visit, he says “I really just fell in love with the coach, with the other members of the swim team and with the college town in general.” The Midwest Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in February saw the Grinnell College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams capture their fifth and eighth consecutive titles respectively.