ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- Robertsdale High School senior Tyler Phelps made history on Wednesday, signing the school’s first-ever swimming scholarship.

 “I’m very proud to be the first and I know I will not be the last,” Phelps said. “I’m excited about the opportunity. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get here and I’m looking forward to representing RHS at the next level.”

A reception for family, friends and coaches was held on Wednesday, in which Phelps signed with the Florida Institute of Technology an NCAA Division II school out of Melbourne, Fla.

FIT concluded just its second season under head coach Jennifer Ritter, competing in the Sunshine State Conference Swimming Championships in February. In their inaugural year of competition, both the men’s and women’s programs at the school earned the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Division II Scholar All-America Team honors for the fall 2011 semester, one of only 12 schools to have both teams earn Scholar All-America status, according to the school’s website.

The son of Scott and Renee Phelps of Summerdale, Tyler began swimming at age 12 for the Eastern Shore Aquatics Center in Daphne, swimming for Coach Rich Suhs with the Southern Waters Aquatics Team (S.W.A.T.), where he has competed in regional and national swim meets.

“He’s the one who got me into the sport and he has given me the opportunity to be where I am today,” Phelps said. “I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all he has done.”

Phelps also thanked all of his coaches at Robertsdale High School, his parents, grandparents and siblings, brother Jack and sisters, Trista and Kate, for all their support through the years.

Phelps has been a three-sport standout at RHS, participating in basketball and was named All-County his freshman and sophomore years in cross country before turning his attention to swimming, where he is a three-time All-State athlete.

His sophomore year, he finished second in the 200-meter individual medley at the state meet held at Auburn University, finishing fifth in the event this past year.

“He has excelled at everything both athletically and academically,” said RHS swim coach Rachel Kinard. “I know his success comes from great determination and dedication with thousands of hours spent in the pool and in the classroom.”

RHS assistant principal Teddy Mitchell echoed those sentiments and a reception held Wednesday for Phelps.

“On behalf of Robertsdale High School I want to say how proud we are of Tyler,” Mitchell said. “He has been a model student and a model student-athlete and we are all looking forward to his development at the next level.”