Swimming For Olympic Glory

Today, Jesuit swimmer Vinny Donnelly will leave the comfort of chlorinated swimming pools for the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico.

At stake? A potential trip to Beijing and the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Donnelly will compete in the 10k open water World Championship Trials and prequalifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials off the coast of Estero Beach near Fort Myers. Two men and two women will move on to the world championships next April in Spain, and most likely, the Olympic team.

Donnelly, just 16, is treating today as if he has a realistic chance to qualify.

'I'm hoping that maybe this trials I can make some sort of team, even if it isn't the Olympic team,' Donnelly said.

Judging by his times, he has a chance. He finished 15th in his first open water 10k two years ago, and his 15th-place finish at spring nationals earned him a spot in today's race.

His time at spring nationals of one hour, 51 minutes was about seven seconds off the winning time. Donnelly hopes to be around 1:47 today, depending on the current.

'For a 10k, the current and the weather can drastically change your time,' Donnelly said.

Donnelly got into open-water swimming on a lark, but he's trained to the point where the high school events he swims - the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle - aren't his best events anymore, said Jesuit coach Bill Shaffer.

Shaffer understands that and isn't worried that Donnelly's race today could affect his performance in Thursday's region meet.

'He does everything we want,' Shaffer said. 'He never questions a set. I never worry about him.'

This isn't like high school swimming. It's physical and rough. Donnelly said he watched a top Canadian swimmer lose his goggles after being elbowed and it delayed him almost 20 minutes. The first 2,500 to 5,000 meters are a fight for position until the top swimmers break from the pack.

'It can get pretty brutal out there,' Donnelly said.

It can also get a little boring. The course is a 2,500-meter oval, meaning the swimmers go around four times. To pass the time, Donnelly sings songs in his head - but it's not easy listening. Nelly's 'No. 1' and Shop Boyz's 'Party Like a Rock Star' are current favorites.

The songs pump him up - and keep his mind occupied.

'I try not to think about what's underneath me,' Donnelly said. 'It might freak me out. I try to keep myself busy.'