AREA ATHLETES PAST AND PRESENT
Parsons goes after Olympic dream
Sylvania native pursues love of kayaking
7/12/2012
Scott Parsons qualified in the whitewater men's K-1 kayak slalom for the London Olympics. He also competed in Beijing and Athens.
At 6 years old, as he sat in a canoe on the calm lake at Olander Park, Scott Parsons could barely lift his paddle but he was determined to mimic his big brother's every move.Scott vividly recalls the summer of 1985, rising early to paddle with his father William and brother Brian at the park in Sylvania.
"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be like my big brother," Scott said. "My brother is 10 years older than me. I was about 5 when he got into kayaking, so I wanted to race a kayak too."
Fast-forward 27 years and Brian Parsons now looks up to his little brother, a three-time Olympian.
Scott, a St. John's Jesuit graduate, has again reached the pinnacle of his sport.
He will represent his country for the third time in the Summer Olympics. He has achieved the ultimate honor in kayak slalom and is the No. 1- ranked U.S. competitor.