LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four Louisville swimmers are going to the U.S. Olympic Trials. Five Lakeside Seahawks athletes qualified, but only four are competing in the national competition next month. 

What You Need To Know

  • Four Louisville swimmers are going to the U.S. Olympic Trials

  • The athletes train at least nine times a week, in and out of the pool

  • The Louisville Lakeside Seahawks have produced tweleve Olympians since 1940

  • The 2024 Summer Olympics start in Paris on July 26, 2024

Less than 1% of USA swimmers make it to the Olympic Trials and the Crush family was lucky enough to nab more than one spot. 

“Both my parents and my aunt actually went to the Olympic trials as well and then my older sister is also going and so my older brother is yet to get it, but I think he will. So yeah, I think I think all four of us will be there,” said Johnny Crush.

Eighteen-year-old Johnny and his 15-year-old sister Charlotte are going to the trials and have been working toward this almost their whole life. 

“It’s really an honor. Not many people get to go and just I guess, you know, my whole high school career really was building up to making that cut. Getting that time and last summer, I ended up getting in the last meet of the year. So it was pretty special,” said Johnny.

The training is intense, as you might expect. Nine times a week, the team works out in and out of the pool.  

“A lot of aerobic to build up the endurance and then slowly we’ve started adding in more and more quality, which has been helpful for getting speed into shape. So right now I’m kind of adjusting from endurance or aerobic into quality,” said Charlotte.

The sport is mental, just as it is physical; even before race day emotions can run high.

“I am super excited, can’t wait. Kind of just like having the excitement of being there will definitely help me push me through,” said Hannah Schmitt, another Olympic Trials swimmer.

Swimmers expressed just how competitive it is.

“I’m definitely a little bit nervous. I think only 25% swimmers end up going with your best time at that meet. So hopefully I’m one of those 25%; but if not, it’s going to be a super great day and experience,” said Thomas Mercer, another swimmer headed to the trials.

Swimmers are guaranteed a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team if they finish in first place at the Olympic Trials finals. Then the remaining spots are based on the need for certain events.

“Next priority would be the next three: the second, third, fourth 100-freestyler, and the second, third, fourth, 200-freestyler. Then they start selecting the second place in the individual event. Then if it really came to it, then they would start taking the fifth and sixth 100- and 200-freestyler,” said Mike Deboor, head coach of the Lakeside Swim Team.  

The Lakeside Seahawks have produced twelve Olympic swimmers since 1940. Five of those were under Deboor.

“I think it’s huge. It’s super exciting. I don’t know, I probably downplay it a little bit too much. Being lucky enough to have athletes there that commit it and that talent, I think it takes that combination of both and then the mental fortitude to really to buckle down and do that,” said Deboor.

The athletes are representing Louisville locally, nationally and possibly even internationally.

“I’m excited, yeah, I guess a little nervous, but, you know, it’s coming up, so I think I’ll be ready to go,” Johnny said.

Olympic trials start June 15, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. About a month later, the 2024 Summer Olympics will begin.

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