Bremerton’s version of The Beatles were in town Monday.
OK, it would be one Beatle and it would be multiple-Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian.
I don’t think the adjective fervor describes the intensity to which the strapping 6-foot-6 swimmer received when he was introduced to the public in a welcome-home fete at Bremerton High School’s Performing Arts Center.
Ardor? Zeal? Those come close.
Receiving nearly the
same amount of applause were his parents, Jim and Cecilia, who have
picked up some worldwide notoriety thanks to their youngest son;
older brother Justin and his wife Hilary and their toddler daughter
and soon-to-be-born second child, and older sister Donella and her
husband Barry and their three children were also on hand.
Adrian was given a key
to the city by Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent, and Bremerton High swim
team captain Nathan Rubie, a state participant himself, also
presented Adrian with a Knights’ swim team t-shirt.
Remarks were given by Bremerton School District superintendent
Aaron Leavell, new principal Monica Sweet and Adrian’s former
age-group swim coach at Olympic Aquatic Club Bonnie
Burmaster. 
On hand were nearly 1,200 fans, former teachers, community
members who wanted a chance to greet Adrian. 
