JACKSONVILLE, Fla --
Olympic hopeful Ryan Murphy is back on home turf and was back in the pool practicing Friday. While he won't be headed to London for the Olympic games, his dream is still very much alive. The Bolles School breeds olympic swimming greats. The latest and greatest started training early.
"I started swimming when I was four," he said. "Then I think I started swimming competitively when I was seven."
And ever since, he set the goal to one day swim with the best in the olympics.
"The first time I thought it was possible was probably two summers ago."
This year - he gave it an honest shot, competing in time trials in Omaha. He missed qualifying in one event by one second.
His coach Sergio Lopez was a nervous wreck.
"I think I got a couple more grey hairs just trying to hold on I was over there on the railing just trying to hold on and I was ready to bite it!" said Lopez with a laugh.
Ryan says even though he fell short this year, it was an amazing experience.
"It was definitely cool to watch how everyone approaches their race and I definitely learned a lot from just observing and then the experience racing as well. I think that will pay off in the future."
Lopez knows if Ryan continues swimming like he is, his name will be added to the Bolles' wall of fame for Olympic Swimming Medalists hanging near the pool in no time.
"If he keeps progressing a little bit and he's lucky, I think the United States has a world class swimmer for a long time," Lopez said.
Ryan's next shot at the Olympics won't come until the 2016 where they will be held in Rio.
Jacksonville is a contender to host the 2016 swimming time trials. Bids open in September and we will know next June if the River City is selected.
