James Shafer and Stephanie Overton
9 minutes ago
Charlie Clark (Mike Polk) on the podium at the U.S. Swimming Futures Championships, July 2023
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Charlie Clark, 19, stood out physically from the other athletes with his 6-foot-6 frame, but his swim coach said Clark's personality and work ethic attracted the team. He said he did.
Clark and two teammates from the University of Wyoming Swimming and Diving Team, Carson Muir, 18, and Luke Slabber, 21, along U.S. Highway 287 south of the Wyoming-Colorado border on Thursday. He died in an accident that occurred in Two other team members were also injured.
A Toyota RAV4 with five people inside veered off the road and off the sidewalk, according to a patrol statement compiled by The Associated Press.
“We are all coming to terms with Charlie's sudden death,” said Mike Polk, head coach of the Boulder City Henderson Heatwave swim team. “Charlie could always be counted on to accomplish that, not just in games but in practice.”
While a student at Silverado High School, Clark swam on the Heatwave swim team. After graduating, he attended the University of Wyoming. During his sophomore year, he studied psychology and was on the varsity swimming and diving team.
Polk said Charlie, the BCH Heat Wave and Green Valley High School coach, grew from a rambunctious and slightly irrepressible age-group swimmer to a full-fledged senior-level athlete when he died in December. It's all thanks to Bob Swift.
“Bob's belief in him and Charlie's own work has allowed me to pass on to my group a young man that I am very proud to have in my life and as a member of the team,” Polk explained.
