Olympic dreaming

Published 12:01 am Friday, July 27, 2012

Michael Hudson and B.J. Donaldson swim side by side each other during practice Tuesday night. | Andrew Garner/Star-News

Swimming in the summer Olympics may be far off for Michael Hudson and B.J. Donaldson, but don’t think they haven’t thought about wanting to compete in the games.

“I think it’s every swimmer’s goal is to do it,” Hudson said. “I’d like to one day, but that’s all in training, and how much you are willing to put into it.”

Hudson and Donaldson are competing in the 2012 Alabama Recreation and Parks Association’s state swim meet today and tomorrow in Opelika.

While the opening ceremonies commence in London for this year’s summer games, both Andalusia Stingrays leaders will be competing for medals of their own.

Both started swimming on the Andalusia swim team when they were 8 years old.

When asked where one needs to start to get to that goal of swimming for an Olympic team, both said it starts somewhere.

“Definitely,” both said.

The swimming portion of the London Olympics begins tomorrow in freestyle, breaststroke, individual medley, freestyle relay and butterfly.

Donaldson said he was going to “DVR” the swimming events that he’ll miss.

“They’re all dedicated athletes,” Hudson said about who he is supporting from the United States team.

Donaldson has two years left on the Stingrays and is a rising junior at Andalusia High School. Hudson is a rising senior and has one more year of eligibility on the team.