TAMPA, Fla. – Jacob Hamlin has qualified for the 2024 United States Olympic Swim Team Trials.
The Tampa Spartan will bid for his chance to represent the USA. in the 200M freestyle and the 800M freestyle when he heads to Indianapolis on June 15-23, at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts.
He’s looking to leave a lasting impression on everyone.
“I just want to go in and show them what I have (that’s) all I’m trying to do,” the freestyle distance star said. “I’m just going to keep going and see how far I can take it.”
Hamlin broke two, 43-year-old school records during his senior year at Orlando’s Boone High School, and has jumped on the podium consistently during his first year with the Spartans.
He comes into the year a “true freshman” assistant coach Phil Murray said, noting that it’s surprisingly been more of a benefit for him.
“Jacob doesn’t know what he doesn’t know yet, which is awesome,” Murray, a former Spartan swimmer himself, pointed out. “(He) just doesn’t have his artificial ceilings because he doesn’t know (them) … he’s able to push through what theoretically should be a feeling for a (freshman).”
It’s certainly obvious that the pressure of high-level swimming has not rattled the Orlando native, now residing in Tampa. He has qualified for multiple events in the NCAA DII Swimming Championships in Geneva, Ohio March 12-16.
He ranks first overall in the 1,650-yard free, and is top 10 in the 1,000-yard free and the 500 free. He will also contend in the 200 free, where he’s ranked in the top 15. The rookie is poised to return south with success he can build off of heading to Indianapolis.
Hamlin dives in with the mindset of competing hard, relying on his coaches and training, and not worrying about anything other than what he can do to beat the best.
“When I get up on the blocks, it’s just (about) who could I go out there and just (keep) up with (and) really race.”