CARRYING ON THE TRADITION : MEMORY OF BROTHER IS INSPIRATION.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

Chris Gorney is proud he reminds his Littlerock High School volleyball teammates of his half-brother, John Swaner, who died last June in an auto accident.

In fact, the 6-foot-4 Gorney has worked at following in Swaner's footsteps. He's just a sophomore but leads the Lobos in kills and stuff blocks. He is second in digs and third in aces.

``I play for the memories. I play for him,'' Gorney said. ``I'm trying to get the scholarship he didn't. It's like I'm trying to do something for him.''

Swaner was three years older and shared his brother's love for volleyball. Their family was so large (nine kids) and so close, volleyball was a sport they could play together. They often played at the beach or in nearby parks. Two of Swaner's older siblings also played in high school.

When Gorney started high school, Swaner was the varsity leader. Gorney never missed a chance to watch how Swaner jumped, hit, blocked and motivated his team.

``He basically stayed and watched every varsity game,'' Littlerock coach Preston Aldous said of Gorney. ``He wanted to be on varsity.''

Swaner also watched Gorney play, and the two would talk about the matches afterward, sometimes with the entire family over dinner.

On June 10, John Swaner died in an auto accident. He fell asleep behind the wheel, and his car veered across the center line and hit another car head-on.

He had not slept much in the previous two days. He attended his mother's graduation from college in Bakersfield on June 8, came home andstudied for final exams for two days. After returning from school on the 10th, John took a short nap and then drove to his job at a supermarket. He died on the way.

Later that week, Chris Gorney accepted his brother's diploma.

The next few months have been difficult. Gorney's father, Andy, said his son often cried alone in his room. His teachers remind him Swaner once was their student. When the school recently announced a scholarship in Swaner's name, Gorney had trouble containing his emotions.

From his brother's death came a new desire to play better and study harder.

``Two things happened,'' Andy Gorney said. ``He decided volleyball was going to be his sport (Swaner had played softball and wrestled in the past). This is the first year since he was 5 years old he's not playing (another sport). And the second thing was academics. His goal is to get the scholarship John didn't. He knows his grades have to be good. The scholarships don't go to C students.''

Gorney asked for and received special shoes that helped him jump higher and develop his calf muscles. He grew five inches and increased his intensity on the court.

``He has the same passion for the game,'' said outside hitter Myles Meedin, who was on varsity last year with Swaner and this year with Gorney. ``He plays hard in practice. Every time he gets a chance to play, he does.''

Gorney also proudly wears Swaner's No. 7 uniform. Aldous said he wanted to retire the number but is letting Gorney wear it.

``He feels the responsibility of continuing the high level of achievement like John,'' his mother, Valerie, said.

In a match against Valencia, Gorney set a school record with 29 kills. His father pointed out that that was more than Swaner ever got, and Gorney replied, ``John's a reason why.''

When the team beat Hart, the elder Gorney asked his son why he thought the Lobos won.

`` `John was watching over us,' '' was the reply.

Said Aldous: ``He knows he can be better than John if he applies himself.''

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Photo

Photo: Chris Gorney, a sophomore volleyball player at Littlerock High School, is inspired by the memory of his late half-brother, John Swaner.

Jeff Goldwater / Daily News