[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 134 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





IN RECOGNITION OF COREY WELCH ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY 
                          SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete 
and Northeastern Pennsylvania native Corey Welch. Corey will be 
inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 for his 
distinct athletic achievements in the sports of swimming and water 
polo. He and his fellow inductees will be honored at a reception on 
August 8, 2021.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
through their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic 
endeavors.
  Corey started competitively swimming when he was five years old. Five 
more years later, he won his first age group PA State Championship for 
the Wilkes-Barre YMCA in the 50 meter backstroke. Corey continued to 
succeed in the pool, winning the 100 IM as well as the 50 backstroke, 
setting a state and national record. He was ranked as the number one 
14-year-old in the country in the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke.
  Corey also began playing water polo, and in 1996, he was selected to 
attend the USA Water Polo Youth Development Camp at the USA Olympic 
Training Center. Corey had a very successful high school athletic 
career at Wyoming Valley West, and, as a freshman on the water polo 
team, he was voted the best freshman player in the state. He went on to 
be All-State the following three years and All-American in his junior 
and senior seasons. He helped lead the team to four consecutive 
division championships. On the swim team, Corey was undefeated in his 
individual events at the AAA district championships, and he helped the 
team win the PIAA District 2 and Wyoming Valley Conference Team titles 
during each of his four years.
  After graduating from Wyoming Valley West, Corey continued his 
swimming career on a Division I scholarship at the University of 
Florida. He qualified for the USA Swimming National Championships each 
of his four years as a Gator, and, in 2004, he qualified for his first 
Olympic Trials in the 200 LCM breaststroke. Corey qualified for finals 
in several Nationals, as well as the 2004 US Open where he won the 
title as part of the 400 medley relay along with the overall team 
title. For his efforts, he was named to the Gators' All Time Top Ten 
list in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley 
relay. In 2005, he won the SEC Championship with a conference and team 
record, and he earned Division I NCAA All-American status when the team 
finished fifth at the NCAA Championships. His impressive times also 
earned him a spot at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials.
  After graduation, Corey pursued his doctorate in physical therapy at 
Drexel University. While in Philadelphia, he began coaching a USA 
Masters swim team, and he continued to compete himself in several 
Masters meets. In 2010, he was the USMS National Champion in both the 
100 and 200 LCM. In early summer 2012, Corey swam a lifetime best in 
the 100 LCM breaststroke to earn a spot at the 2012 Olympic Team 
Trials.
  It is an honor to recognize Corey on his induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May his story and athletic career serve as 
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving 
for excellence.

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