Hosting the Olympic Swim Trials for the second time opens the door to a number of opportunities for the people who live in the Metro.
Today some of the kids from local YMCA’s got to race against one of the fastest swimmers on the planet.
With a quick start Bradley Wachenfeld takes an early lead for his YMCA relay team.
With big lead increasing with every stroke it's hard to imagine that Wachenfeld didn't make the U.S. Olympic Swim Team but relays are team sports and by the last leg the team without an Olympic caliber swimmer was closing in on victory.
Cassie Gray says, "It felt pretty amazing when I did it. First of all I went against an Olympic Trials person and I usually never do that but it is pretty amazing."
Bradley Wachenfeld may not have made the U.S. Olympic Team but he proved he is a great sport.
After a disappointing time at the trials he took the time to swim and talk with the local YMCA swim teams. The kids listened in part because of his swim trials experience but also because he started swimming with his Y-team when he was about their age.
Bradley Wachenfeld says, "It is really a great opportunity to get the chance to talk to these kids. It has been an inspiration and that is what being a part of the YMCA is all about so it is my pleasure to be here."
It may be Bradley's pleasure but it is the highlight of many of these kids lives to this point. Racing against and sharing a pool with someone of Bradley's caliber both his swimming skills and character is something they should remember for a very long time.
Wachenfeld just graduated from high school in New Jersey, he will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
