Seth Vigdor
Fifteen-year-old swimmer Reece Whitley had a big night on Tuesday. Whitley (from Philadelphia) was honored at the Sports Illustrated gala in New York City. He was honored as the magazine’s Sportskid of the year.
Whitley is being called the next Michael Phelps. He holds five national age group records and he’s already qualified for the 2016 Olympic trials. The managing editor of Sports Illustrated Kids, Mark Bechtel holds him in high regard as stated via abcnews.go.com.
“What makes him so special is that he’s 15 years old. He’s an elite world class athlete, but you wouldn’t know it by watching the way he acts.” Bechtel continued. “He’s got time for school, he’s got time to mentor all these little kids who look up to him and want to be him. Everything he does, he just does with this youthful exuberance and joy and so much humility.”
Whitley is getting noticed by many people, including The First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.
Congrats @_reecewhitley on becoming @SIKids #SportsKid of the Year. We are so proud of you! https://t.co/6QMvobCzP7 pic.twitter.com/Cffoih2PhJ
— First Lady- Archived (@FLOTUS44) November 30, 2015
While winning the Sportskid of the year award is an amazing honor, it wasn’t the only honor that Whitley received on Tuesday night.
Actor and Philly’s own, Will Smith was in attendance at the gala. He even gave Whitley a shoutout. You can watch it here.
Smith even challenged Whitley to a race after the event.
What an absolutely amazing feel good story. Philly stand up!