FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The #NSU50 "Top Moments in NSU Athletics History" continues with the 45th moment on the list: swimmer Esau Simpson becomes NSU's first Olympic athlete.
July 30, 2012
Simpson was a trailblazer at NSU, serving as not just the first Olympian, but also one of the first sprinters to make waves for NSU's swimming and diving program. Simpson was a member of the program's inaugural recruiting class and blossomed into a three time All-American for the Sharks. However, his most high profile moment at NSU came as a representative of his home country of Grenada.
In between his sophomore and junior seasons, Simpson trained six days a week at NSU with the Sharks Aquatic club team under the guidance of NSU's head coach Hollie Bonewit-Cron. Simpson's Monday through Saturday Olympic preparation regimen consisted of aerobic based training, combined with speed and added power work. The hard work paid off, as he was selected to compete in the 100-yard freestyle race at the 2012 London Olympics.
"I am very happy that Grenada has selected Esau to represent his country at the Olympics," commented Bonewit-Cron. "He is well-deserving of this honor and has worked very hard the last two years to be at this competitive level. This will be a great experience for him not only to swim his own event, but to watch the best in the world as well. Esau has earned this distinction and I am very excited for him."
Simpson traveled to the Olympics with Bonewit-Cron, who naturally, was selected to be his coach during his run in London. Simpson earned the experience of a lifetime, competing alongside the world's top athletes and staying in the Olympic Village. In the pool, Simpson did not disappoint. In the second heat of the 100- free, the Shark came in first place with a time of 53.26.
That time was a new Grenadian national record, as well as a new NSU long course record. Simpson eclipsed his qualifying time of 53.85 by .59 seconds and finished 1.17 seconds ahead of runner-up Sergey Krovyakov of Turkmenistan. Overall, Simpson placed 43rd out of 60 competitors in the event.
"Esau's hard work and focus this season leading up to the Olympic Games gave him the confidence and stamina to achieve a best time and break the Grenadian National record in his swim this morning," said Bonewit-Cron following the race. "I am extremely proud of his performance and what it will mean in bringing about greater success in the future for him. He has made Grenada, the NSU Sharks, and especially me very proud."
Simpson ended his collegiate career two years later, qualifying for the NCAA National Championship as both a junior and senior. He was also named NSU Homecoming King in 2013. In 2014-15, Simpson can still be found at the NSU Aquatic Center helping push the current generation of Sharks.
Check back with NSUSharks.com next Tuesday for the next #NSU50 "Top Moments in NSU Athletics History."Moment No. 1: NSU Athletics is Born
Moment No. 2: Knights Chosen as School Mascot
Moment No. 3: Hansley Hired as Director of Athletics
Moment No. 4: Nova Adds Four Sports
Moment No. 5: Nova Joins NAIA
Moment No. 6: Nova Adds Three More Teams
Moment No. 7: Nova Helps Form FIAC
Moment No. 8: Nova Wins First Conference Championship
Moment No. 9: Baseball and Volleyball Win First Conference Titles
Moment No. 10: NSU Adds Softball
Moment No. 11: NSU Adds Women's Soccer and Wins FSC Tournament Championship
Moment No. 12: NSU Names Ray Ferrero Jr. as School's Fifth President
Moment No. 13: NSU Adds Women's Basketball and Wins Conference Title in First Season
Moment No. 14: NSU Jumps to NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference
Moment No. 15: Kyle Ruwe Becomes NSU's First NCAA All-American
Moment No. 16: NSU adds Rowing, Tennis and Men's Cross Country
Moment No. 17: NSU Breaks Ground on University Center
Moment No. 18: Rembe Becomes NSU's First Female NCAA All-American
Moment No. 19: NSU Men's Golf Wins First SSC Championship
Moment No. 20: NSU Unveils Sharks as New Mascot
Moment No. 21: NSU Enshrines Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
Moment No. 22: Women's Golfer Garcia Austt Becomes NSU's First-Ever NCAA Player and Freshman of Year
Moment No. 23: NSU Tennis Goes Program-Best 22-3
Moment No. 24: NSU Volleyball Hosts the Inaugural Sharks Classic
Moment No. 25: NSU Begins Outdoor Track and Field Programs
Moment No. 26: NSU Volleyball Earns First-Ever NCAA Postseason Bid
Moment No. 27: NSU Women's Basketball Wins First SSC Championship
Moment No. 28: NSU Wins Women's Division of 2007-08 SSC Mayors' Cup
Moment No. 29: Abdalla Earns Cross Country Program's First SSC Runner of the Year Award
Moment No. 30: NSU Volleyball Wins South Region and Advances to Elite Eight
Moment No. 31: NSU Launches Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Programs
Moment No. 32: NSU Rowing V4 Claims the School's First Individual DII National Championship
Moment No. 33: NSU Brings Home First NCAA National Championship in Women's Golf
Moment No. 34: NSU Baseball Has Four Players Chosen in MLB Draft
Moment No. 35: Mominey Steps Into Full-Time Role as NSU Director of Athletics
Moment No. 36: The NSU Women's Golf Team Goes Back-to-Back
Moment No. 37: Men's Cross Country Qualifies for NCAA Division II National Championship for First Time
Moment No. 38: The Fledgling Men's and Women's Swimming Teams Have Successful First Season
Moment No. 39: Women's Golf Wins Third Straight NCAA National Championship
Moment No. 40: Berger and Freshman Eight Boat Win SSC and National Sportsmanship Award
Moment No. 41: NSU Athletics Receives the NCAA Division II Community Engagement Award
Moment No. 42: Erin Black Wins Swimming's First Ever NCAA DII Individual TitleMoment No. 43: Women's Golf Captures Fourth Straight National ChampionshipMoment No. 44: Men's Golf Brings Home First National Championship
