Clearwater’s Vance Sanders, 15, Passes Away

PINELLAS COUNTY – Vance Sanders, a promising age grouper who had gained some national attention in recent years, took his own life this weekend at the age of 15 according to WTSP.

According to WTSP, “few other details are being released about [Sanders’s] death,” as crisis teams have been dispatched to Sanders’ high school of East Lake to help those in his community cope with the death.

“My boy…I will miss him so much. He is my best friend, he was just starting his life…what a waste. That’s how I feel, I am very saddened by it,” Sanders’ father Gary told WTSP. “I’m leaving here with a smile, glowing with stories from his friends. It takes a little bit of the pain away,” he continued after his son’s memorial.

Sanders, who trained with the Clearwater Aquatic Team, earned Swim of the Night during the Florida Age Group State Championships as captured by the Florida Swim Network.

With Olympic silver medalist Elizabeth Beisel on the mic doing commentary, Sanders ripped off a 2:04.03 in the boys 13-14 200-meter fly event. That’s one of the fastest swims Sanders has posted in the event, with a lifetime best of 2:03.34 from the Florida Summer Sectionals earlier this month.

WTSP linked to Suicide Prevention information for those in Florida.

Florida Swim Network also has a tribute up about Sanders.

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