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The Qwest Center Omaha in Nebraska is a long way from the Countryside YMCA. The two are inexorably linked for Kit French, however, who began his swim career years ago as a Torpedo and reached his career pinnacle last week when he competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The Maineville resident, St. Xavier graduate and University of Georgia swimmer competed in the 100-meter backstroke in Omaha, failing to advance out of the preliminary rounds.

"It was awesome," French said of his Olympic trials experience. "It was the coolest swim meet I've ever witnessed because of all the fans, the streamers, the pyrotechnics, the lasers. I've never experienced anything like that.

"The Olympics are the be all and end all for anyone who swims competitively, so making the trials was really exciting to me. To make it that far was very cool."

French was a three-time state champion while swimming at St. X and a nine-time national qualifier for the Torpedoes, including a national championship in the 100 backstroke at age 15.

"Kit has certainly earned everything that he's accomplished," Torpedoes coach Brad Isham said. "I remember watching him at my very first practice as coach at Countryside and I knew right away he was going to be a great swimmer.

"Kit has an incredible work ethic and a competitive attitude. A lot of kids don't maximize their potential with hard work, but Kit certainly did. He had one of the best work ethics and attitudes that I've ever coached."

French recalled his Torpedo days fondly, and credits the program for propelling him on his career path.

"I had great coaches there that took me to a different level of competition," French said. "Without them, I don't get in at Georgia. Countryside has great facilities, great coaches and I made some really good friends there who I've kept to this day."

At Georgia, French has competed with the best collegiate swimmers in the nation, finishing a career best eighth at the Southeastern Conference Championships this season.

"Kit is a great kid to work with and have in the pool," Georgia assistant coach Brian Smith said. "It was a great achievement for him to just reach the Olympic trials. Just to be in that environment and experience a raucous crowd of 13,000, it's something you'd see at a basketball game. To be a part of that atmosphere, even though I'm sure Kit would've liked to perform better, is great."

French shrugged off any show of disappointment and marveled at the experience.

"I was in the warmdown pool with Michael Phelps. I watched a teammate (Gil Stovall) come from nowhere to qualify for the Olympic team. I witnessed so many world records, it was amazing. Just to be in the pool with those athletes, it was a fantastic experience," French said.

French is looking forward to his senior season and hoping to finish higher in the SEC championships than he did as a junior. But, first things first, he is taking things lightly the rest of the summer to prepare for the Dental Admission Test — the entrance exam for dental school — and hopes to be accepted at Ohio State and eventually go into practice with his father, Michael.

"That's my focus right now," French said. "I'll train a little at Countryside while I'm home the rest of the summer to stay in shape, but my focus now is on my academic future. It'll be hard to top, athletically, what I experienced in Omaha."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.