(Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Snowfox swimmer Paul Gordon qualified for this summers Olympic Trials down in Omaha in the 200 IM.

The 18 year old will be competing against some of the best swimmers in the world later this summer and admits walking away with first place honors is a long shot, but realizes anything is possible.

The 18 year qualified for the US Olympic Trials last summer and Gordon will be the first too tell you his next splash in the water will be unlike any meet he's ever competed in.
Paul Gordon says, "The olympic trials is the cream of the crop in the United States."
"He's going to be swimming in the same races with world record holders from the united states," said Sioux Falls Snowfox coach Lindsay Micko.
"There are thousands and thousands of swimmers across the country and most don't make it to the Olympic Trials. Most don't even make it to nationals. It's definitely a thrill and it's really exciting," Gordon said.

Gordon has come a long way since his first day in the pool. Qualifying for the Olympic Trials was something the youngster never imagined when he began swimming 9 years ago.
Paul Gordon says, "This is definitely a different path then I thought would happen. When I first started I kind of struggled. I wasn't a very athletic guy, but I eventually started to get into swimming and saw that I had potential."
"We kind of laugh about the sport of swimming because when they first start, we always tell people that any kid is capable of doing what paul has done if they put in the time and dedication. But when he did start, he was probably one of the worst swimmers we had," Micko said.

Next year, Paul will attend the University of Iowa on a swimming scholarship, which he says makes all the hours of practice he's put in over the years worth it.
Paul Gordon says, "As far as swimming goes, baseball has the Major Leagues and all sports have their top programs but in swimming, it's college swimming is where everyone tries to be."

Not bad for a kid who once was the programs worst swimmer. Gordon knows qualifying for the '08 Olympics will be tough. He says his ultimate goal is the 2012 Olympics in London.