Prep Flashback | A love for the purity, life lessons of swimming

Athlete: Mark Prothero, Renton, Class of 1974.

Sport: Swimming.

High-school rewind: A swimmer since age 7, high-school competition renewed Prothero's love for the sport. He won the individual state championship in 1974 as a senior and placed fourth at state in the 400 individual medley, an event that featured his versatility.

After high school: Received a scholarship to Washington and swam for the Huskies for four years. Placed third at nationals in the 400 IM his junior year, then as a captain his senior year placed fifth in the same event. Participated on the U.S. national team in multiple international meets. Ranked 13th in the world in the 400 IM in 1976.

After athletics: Went to law school in San Diego for three years, all the while coaching for summer swimming leagues. Currently a lawyer for the Hanis Greaney law firm in Kent and the girls swim coach at Kentwood. Also announces at national swimming meets and serves as chairman of the Pacific Northwest Swimming Board of Review.

Personal: Prothero, 50, lives in Kent with his wife of 24 years, Kelley. They have two kids: Sean, 22, is in college and Marley, 16, is a state champion swimmer at Kentwood.

Fast forward: Prothero is probably most recognized as the lead counsel in the defense of Gary Ridgway, the Green River killer. "In one of the biggest cases in history, to be in the middle of a plea agreement that saved our client's life and raised debate about the death penalty, I'm very proud of that," Prothero said.

Originally a fan of swimming because he was "better than the other kids," Prothero developed and maintains a true love for the sport and what it can teach.

"It's about you and a stopwatch; there are very little politics involved," he said. "It's very pure, you can learn how hard work makes you better. It's so valuable in terms of the life lessons that it teaches and the character it builds."

Joshua Mayers