At Detroit Catholic Central High School, we’re proud to highlight students who not only excel academically but also inspire others through their leadership and passion. 

Roshi Turner ‘25, a captain of the varsity swim team, is a perfect example of these qualities. His path to success in swimming has been shaped by challenges, perseverance, and a deep desire to help others.

In a recent letter to his coaches, Roshi shares the story of how he got started in swim, what his time at Catholic Central has been like, and what his future goals are. Check out his letter below!

How I got Started

I started my journey in swim at a very early age. I first touched the water when I was younger, taking swim lessons at Gold Fish swim school. I tried other sports growing up like baseball, basketball and football, but the water was always where I felt the most at home. I joined my first USA club team at age 7 and that is where I first started to compete in swim and where I learned my technique in swim. 

As I progressed in the sport, I didn’t know that I would at times be faced with challenges. These challenges span from not seeing others who looked like me or deck to even wondering If I belonged.  I was raised to always be yourself and to push through any challenges that you will face and to never forget who you are. I had the opportunity to grow up spending summers in California swimming and that is where I met a phenomenal coach who told me to always remember that “You Belong on Deck.”  

Swimming has allowed me to meet many people and the opportunity to travel and swim at many different pools in the United States. I had the opportunity to attend the USA National Diversity Camp at the Olympic training facility in Colorado. Being able to have that experience enforced where I wanted to take my dreams in swim. 

In addition to swim, I am creative and found a space in music production and art that has influenced my presence as a swimmer and a leader.

Detroit Catholic Central

Detroit Catholic Central has taught me a lot and I've grown tremendously during my time at DCC. Becoming a Shamrock has given me a brotherhood that I didn’t think I would ever encounter and having the opportunity to swim on the DCC swim team has allowed me to expand that brotherhood on deck and understand how important it is to work as a team for a common goal. It has truly been a rewarding time and experience for me attending these high school years at DCC and becoming a swim captain. I've grown tremendously during my time at Catholic Central through experiences. Also, in my four years at CC, I have established being more of a vocal leader and what it means to be a leader, which is unselfish, caring and empowering others.

What I have valued most is community service hours during the school year to help and assist those communities in need. I've been volunteering for 4 years now. By volunteering my time away from my academics and athletics, it truly puts things into perspective and builds character.  While attending DCC, I was also able to engage in different creative classes such as cinema production and marketing. These classes provide me with a positive outcome in helping me develop with my creative growth in music production and art.

My Parents and Swim Coaches

My parents have been my backbone and have supported me in every way possible with my academics, athletics, and making the important decisions in life. They have taught me how important it is to leave a path for those who may come after you at club swim and high-school swim that look like you on deck.  

We are a close-knit family and their direction in life has helped me to develop into the young man that I am today. Sometimes you must go back to where you started in swimming and that is what I recently did. I went back to my club coach who has always been in my corner, has never lost sight of me and pushes me to be the best. In life you need a support system that is bigger than you and in return you must do that for others and that is what I try to do as a captain on the DCC swim team.

Future and Next Steps after Graduation

I will be pursuing the next steps in my swim and academic career in California at D1 California State University. I have always swum in California at a very young age since I started swimming and now, I will return to where it all started, where I love swimming outside in the sunshine. I want to become a contributor to the Swim Team, along with establishing set goals in this sport as a leader with my swim dreams. My heart and eyes are set on LA 2028.  

Also, while at California State I want to pursue the creative arts in Music Production and creative brand – film director and take full advantage of Los Angeles's connection in Music to find out where I can take this interest to the highest pinnacle in the music industry. Most importantly I want to empower and give back to the next young man of diversity like me, so he can dream, accomplish, and establish himself to be a good person. I'm very excited for what's around the corner for me in my journey and for my future experiences.

Athletic Highlights

Roshi has already achieved so much in his athletic career. Some of his standout accomplishments include:

• 2024: First African American captain of the DCC varsity swim team
• 2024: High School All-American 200 Medley Relay Team
• 2024: 3rd Place in Michigan Boys D1 Championship, 200 IM
• 2024: 3rd Place in Michigan Boys D1 State Championship
• 2024: 200 IM County Champion
• 2022 & 2023: High School All-American & All-State
• 2022 & 2023: All-County & Conference
• 2022 & 2023: High School MVP
• 2022: USA Swimming National Diversity Select Camp
• 2019: Michigan State Champion in multiple events

The Shamrock community is cheering you on, Roshi, as you continue to make waves in both swimming and beyond!