Cape Coast Conference, District and Region Champion talks with Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson
WATCH: Billi Lovell, a recent graduate of Palm Bay Magnet High School, was selected 2023 Breakfast of Champions Girls’ Swimmer of the Year. She recently sat down with Steve Wilson to talk about her love of swimming, her future and much more in this exclusive interview.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Billi Lovell, a recent graduate of Palm Bay Magnet High School and four-year varsity athlete, was selected 2023 Breakfast of Champions Girls’ Swimmer of the Year. She recently sat down with me to talk about her love of swimming, her future and much more in this exclusive interview.
Lovell, originally from Alaska, faced some stiff competition in the pool as a youngster. She used to race against Lydia Jacoby, the 2020 Olympic Gold Medal winner, who was also from Alaska. Lovell told me, “It was really cool to see” someone from Alaska, not only racing, but winning an Olympic Gold Medal in her first games.
Lovell basically grew up in the pool, taking swimming lessons when she was six and swimming competitively when she was eight.
As a child, Lovell played soccer and swam. When I asked her why swimming took over, she said, “When I was young, my best friend Sam convinced me to start swimming.” She continued, “We were very competitive with each other, and things just took off!”
And I would say they did take off! Lovell had a banner year for the Pirates, swimming the 100-yard breaststroke and placing first in the Cape Coast Conference meet, first in the District 6 -2A meet, and first in the Region 2 meet. She placed sixth in the Class 2A State meet. Lovell also swims the 100-yard freestyle and is ranked in the Top 25 in the State.
She is an MVP and Golden Cap recipient and excelled in the classroom carrying a 4.0 GPA.
Lovell’s plans are to attend Eastern Florida State College in the fall and continue swimming on her club team.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018 and Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020.
Wilson is especially proud of is chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
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