BHS swim star signs with U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Bartlesville High School standout swimmer Cody Lay signed a commitment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Tuesday, where he will join the Division 3 swim team and pursue a degree in marine engineering.

Congressman Josh Brecheen nominated Lay to all four U.S. military academies , but Lay settled on the Merchant Marines due to the many opportunities after graduation and the ability to join the swim team.

The high school senior has earned multiple state-level accolades during his swim career.

"I'm really excited to join the Academy," said Lay. "After graduating, I can join any branch of the military I want or join the Merchant Marines.'

At the Academy, Lay will be part of a unique educational environment that combines academic instruction with professional maritime training, preparing students for service in national defense, marine transportation and economic development sectors.

Flanked by his beaming parents, Lay's parents said they felt humbled and honored that their son had been accepted by such a prestigious institution. Lay's mother said she was excited but scared that her only child was off into the world.

"It took a lot of work to get to this moment," said his father, Nicholas Lay. "It was all worth it."

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: BHS swim star signs with U.S. Merchant Marine Academy