Senior killed in Florida school shooting had scholarship at UIndy, coach says

Nicholas Dworet had made an amazing turnaround in the past 18 months.

He trained hard, focused on his schoolwork and went from a middle-of the-pack swimmer to earning an academic scholarship and committing to join the University of Indianapolis swim team in the fall, his coach said.

"I'm telling you from the bottom of my heart, he just took his life in his hands, and he chiseled and molded his life," said Andre Bailey, coach of TS Aquatics in Broward County, Fla.

Nicholas, a senior, was among at least 17 people killed Wednesday in Parkland, Fla., when a former student opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Bailey told IndyStar on Thursday in a telephone interview.

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The shooting happened about 2 p.m. in the school about 30 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale, according to the Coral Springs Police Department. Police arrested 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, who had been expelled from the school and was armed with an AR-15-style rifle.

Bailey said he was with the young man's family when they received the confirmation of his death Thursday morning. Nicholas' name appeared among a list of victims provided by the Broward County Sheriff's Office Thursday evening.

People have begun sharing their condolences on social media.

Nicholas had made remarkable improvement since he joined the TS Aquatics team 18 months ago, Bailey said.

When swimming, Nicholas had a purpose and a focus, Bailey said. Nicholas buckled down, trained and set goals for himself.

"This is a kid who went from middle of the pack last year to being just lights out," Bailey said. "He helped put our program on the map."

Nicholas was a team captain known as the "swim daddy" for the way he helped teammates train and practice.

"Everybody loved him," Bailey said.

UIndy officials, including swimming and diving coach Jason Hite, contacted the Dworet family on Thursday and will continue to offer support in the coming days, President Robert L. Manuel said.

"Nick’s death is a reminder that we are connected to the larger world, and when tragedy hits in places around the world, it oftentimes affects us at home," Manuel said in a statement emailed to IndyStar.

"I hope our Greyhound family can come together to engage the questions raised by these shootings and ensure that our community continues to be a safe place for all of our students, faculty and staff."

The TS Aquatics Facebook account posted a photo of Nicholas on Jan. 23 after he verbally committed to joining the Greyhounds. He is seen smiling wide and wearing a UIndy swimming T-shirt in the picture.

"He was an all-around great kid," Bailey said.

Nicholas also had big dreams for his future and was planning to study business. Of Swedish heritage, Nicholas had plans to visit Sweden to compete for a chance to swim for its national swim team.

Bailey asked IndyStar to tell the world that Nicholas was a young man with so much promise. He had a full life ahead of him. He was making all the right choices.

His death, Bailey said, is a devastating tragedy.

"Please remind everyone that this young man is the epitome of a kid turning himself around.

"And right as he's blossoming," Bailey breathed deeply.

"Of all the bizarre, crazy things, some kid on a Wednesday goes to a school and shoots people."

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.