U.S. Olympic Trials spur some Nebraskans' interest in swimming

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By TOMMY DAHLK / Lincoln Journal Star

Football will always be king in Nebraska.

Swimming will never steal football’s thunder, but the sport is gaining some steam in the state since the U.S. Olympic Trials were such a success in Omaha earlier this month.

After seeing some of the best swimmers in the world break records at the Qwest Center, kids are more excited about swimming in Nebraska.

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Participants in the Girls 15-18 50 Meter Freestyle take off on the start at the Cornhusker State Games on Sunday. (Gwyneth Roberts)

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The number of participants at the Cornhusker State Games this weekend was similar to other years, but swimming director Matt Rye has noticed a newfound excitement and hopes more kids will dive into the pool.

“What we are hoping to see is that more kids will have an interest in swimming and get involved in summer league teams and ultimately have them swimming year round,” Rye said. “Then, who knows? Maybe we’ll see them in Omaha and the next Olympics.”

Rye said that the Trials’ success hopefully will lead to new, state-of-the-art training facilities, which in turn would lead to more success for the state’s swimmers.

Watching some of the top swimmers in the world compete was a treat, but Michael Shoemaker, the Games’ head official and a former Lincoln High swimmer, said it is what the Trials competitors said that has inspired young swimmers, like his 13-year-old son Ryan.

“The good news is those athletes in Omaha really discussed the hard work that goes into it,” Shoemaker said. “It’s not just about the glamour, it’s the hours they spend at the pool. Kids see it’s not just a constant grind that means nothing. If they work hard and put the effort in, maybe they can get to that level.”

Shoemaker said the people who run swimming events such as the State Games always do a top-notch job, and the events allow swimmers in Nebraska to reach new heights.

Ever since she attended the Olympic Trials, 13-year old Heartland Aquatics swimmer Meredith Wekesser’s desire to practice has increased.

“It made me want to work harder in practice and actually work on my walls because it will pay off,” Wekesser said.

But the impact of the Trials goes far beyond swimmers who’ve competed for years.

Laura Kuhn was a basket carrier for the event and said she’s already seen a new crop of people interested in the sport.

“I have a cousin that started swimming after the Trials,” the 14-year old Millard Aquatics swimmer said. “I think she was really inspired by it. I have another cousin that really wants to start swimming. We needed a new coach because we were having more swimmers come to our club.”

Maybe now swimming will be on high school athletes’ radar when they are looking for a sport in the winter.

Jon Rye, who will swim next year at Cal State Northridge after finishing a successful career at Lincoln East, said he thinks the size of high school swim teams will increase and a kid who wouldn’t have even considered swimming might become a star.

“People entering high school or who are in high school might give swimming a shot now after the Trials,” he said. “Maybe we’ll get some kids who have done other sports, and they’ll try to be awesome at swimming. Kids will realize that swimming is a sport that people can make a living off of like people make a living off of doing football. People will work hard and get more interested. The swimming population will grow and post faster times.”