[SwimTeamSpeedo]

“So walk me through every step,” Greg asked as Jimmy told him about the try outs.

Jimmy replayed each event. He told Greg how he was awful in the breast stroke. “I even messed up the turn.” Jimmy explained. “I started to do a flip turn, the realized I wasn't suppose to so I tried to stop it, but it was too late and I really blew it.” Jimmy said.

"You know those turns, Jimmy," Greg replied. "We practiced all of them."

"Yeah, I know," Jimmy replied. "I guess I just forgot or something."

“So what did you do?” Greg asked.

“I just pushed off the wall and kept going. I did better the second half.”

“Good, Jimmy.” Greg said. “Don’t worry that you screwed up the turn, Happens to all of us once in a while. That you did not give up. Coach saw that. I know he did.” Greg explained.

“I killed the fly!” Jimmy explained. He was all animated telling Greg about his swim. It was his breakout swim.

“You know, Jimmy, I think you did good,” Greg assured him. He did not dwell on the fact that Jimmy missed the breast turn and did the wrong turn on his fly. Both of those were easy fixes. For a guy who had three months of swimming under his belt, and really only a few weeks of serious coaching on swim team skills, he couldn’t expect to remember everything.

“I hope so,” Jimmy replied. He was so excited, he had not even taken his swimsuit off. He rode home from the pool in it and stayed in it all night, now laying on his bed talking to his mentor, big brother, and coach. Greg also modeled to himself in front of the mirror. At least for the day, he could pretend he was a real swimmer. He felt cool in the blue print swimsuit. He'd end up sleeping in it.

“I am really proud of you, Jimmy,” Greg replied. “You said you were going to try out, and you did. Best of all you did awesome, too. No matter what happens.”

Jimmy felt tears well up in his eyes. Greg's compliment meant the world to him.

----

“Hey coach, It’s Greg,” Greg opened the call with. “How did Jimmy do at tryouts?”

“He has lots of potential, Greg,” Coach explained. “He swam some stuff really well, but he also made some errors that were sort of basic,”

“I don’t want to influence your decision, I mean if Jimmy gets on the team, it has to be because he did it.” Greg replied. “But keep in mind this kid has swam for only the Summer.”

“Yeah, I know, Greg,” Coach replied. “I remember the skinny kid in baggy blue shorts.” There was a pause. “You know what I really liked was he never gave up. He swam as hard as he could even when he was losing.” Coach added.

“So, Coach, has he got a shot?” Greg asked.

“Greg, you know I can’t say right now, but let me put it this way, did you ever think you had a shot at the Gamecocks? Anything is possible."

“Thanks, Coach.” Greg replied.