You don't have to participate in the Olympics to benefit from them. That's the opinion of many Club Wolverine age group swimmers who are not only reading about record-breaking swims, they are adjusting their own goals and inching the bar a little bit higher.

“Allison Schmitt's performance on the Olympic level has proven that so-called ‘unattainable‘ goals really are possible,ý said Mike Everett, 15, who at one time practiced with Allison, a CW member who qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the 200 freestyle. “She has inspired me to raise the bar of my own expectations,ý he said, adding that he is dedicated to practicing all year long in order to achieve his goal of swimming in college.

He also plans to swim smarter, shifting his dolphin kick into high gear. “I've been impressed by how much mileage Olympic swimmers get off the walls. It's a reminder to me to work on my dolphin kick when I practice,ý he said.

                                                                                                                   
CW age group swimmers are watching the success of CW Trialists and Olympic athletes and raising the bar on their own goals. They'll be watching the Olympics and hope to carry what they learn into their own swimming.