Wes Stearns, one of Florida’s premier swimmers and a member of Palm Harbor’s 2008 state championship squad, at long last knows where he’ll be swimming in college.

The senior has picked Harvard.

After careful consideration, Stearns chose the Crimson over Florida, Ohio State, Princeton and Virginia. He had scholarship offers from numerous other schools as well, his father said.

Stearns was the Class 3A state champion in the 200 freestyle and runnerup in the 500 free as a junior.

At last Saturday’s Class 3A, District 5 meet, Stearns led PHU by taking first in the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 43.62 seconds) and the 500 free (4:35.21). He also swam a leg on the top 400 free relay (3:17.72).

Stearns was the only male at the meet to win more than one individual event.

In the most recent rankings of the nation’s best universities, U.S. News & World Report had Harvard tied with Princeton for No. 1.

Harvard has an excellent swimming program.

The Crimson went 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the Ivy League last season. Through the years, Harvard has produced several All-Americans.

--KEITH NIEBUHR (kniebuhr@sptimes.com)