Wyoming's Usher Makes Team

"Maybe people will say that Scott Usher is a name to keep an eye on."

That was the hope of Scott Usher last August after an impressive performance at the USA National Swimming Championships.

If for any reason Usher hadn't established his name as one to keep on eye on with all of his accomplishments in the past year, he made sure Sunday everyone knows about him.

The 2001 Grand Island Senior High graduate and current University of Wyoming swimmer earned one of two spots on the United States swim team at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

"This feels great right now," Usher said two hours after the race. "This has been a roller coaster ride. Now we're going to go out and celebrate."

Usher earned that celebration by finishing in 2 minutes, 10.90 seconds, almost three seconds ahead of Ed Moses who gave up his college eligibility to turn professional. On this night, however, it was the collegians who upstaged the pro.

University of Texas graduate Brendan Hansen, fresh off his collegiate sweep of tbe breasstrokes, set his second world record with his time of 2:09.04.

"I am so proud of him," said Tom Johnson, Usher's head coach at Wyoming. "I am on seventh heaven. We knew he had a chance to get there, and he answered."

Hansen set a blistering pace from the start. Johnson said the key to Usher's success was to ignore Hansen and concentrate on his own effort.

"I told him don't go out with Hansen," Johnson said. "I told him to go out and swim his own race. He was fifth after the first 100, and some people were worried. I wasn't concerned. He was right where we wanted."

Usher moved up to third by the final turn, and he kicked things into another gear to pull away from the rest of the field over the final 50 meters.

"Over the last 50 meters, it was like someone shot him out of a cannon," Johnson said.

Usher felt confident as the race progressed.

"I knew at the 100 I felt good," he said. "As I hit the turn, I knew I had a lot more (energy) left. The last 50 felt great. I swam the fastest final 50 out of anyone."

Usher reached the ultimate goal in his sport in front of an electric crowd. Around 10,000 spectators watched the competition, which is the largest crowd ever to watch a swimming competition on U.S. soil.

"It is amazing, the whole facility they have here," Usher said. "Ten-thousand fans is the largest crowd I've ever swam in front of. It was electric and a lot of fun."

Having something to show for years of work is something every athlete dreams of. Usher now has just that.

"It is amazing how everybody has helped and supported me," Usher said. "That helped a lot. This took a lot of hard work."

"Scott has always done everything we have ever asked him to do and to see all of his hard work pay off is incredible."

Those who helped and supported Usher are just as, if not more, excited about the Olympics as Usher is. Johnson is a prime example of that.

"Being an Olympian is a dream for him and for me," the coach said. "A year ago, I felt if he had a good season, kept working and prepared over last summer, he could have a chance. He did well. He moved up from 137th in the world to 20th (in the past year).

"I'm so thrilled that he's a Cowboy. He made two states proud today. He's a pleasure to coach and a great guy to represent the state of Nebraska and the University of Wyoming."

Usher said just missing out on a spot in the 100 breaststroke on Thursday helped pave the way for his performance in the 200.

"I was a little disappointed by that," he said. "That set a fire under me. I told myself that I wouldn't let that happen again."

Now Usher turns his attention to Athens. Although he has been chasing Hansen, who swam for the University of Texas, throughout the year, Usher's time on Sunday was just 0.03 seconds off the gold medal winning time of the 2000 games. It was over a second faster of what was required to earn silver four years ago.

"I'm looking to go have fun and enjoy the experience," Usher said. "I'm now fourth in the world, which means that I should have a shot at a medal. I might as well try to do my best since I'm going. I hope to help out the United States team."