Phelps Reaction

For the last week all eyes have been glued on Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. And now his record-setting eight gold medals are inspiring swimmers all the way from Beijing to here in mid-Michigan.

While many local swimmers may never meet Michael Phelps, he is having a big impact on their lives.

Swimmer Krystalle Double said, "He's got what, eight gold medals this year and however many past few years? Of course he's inspired people. That's an incredible achievement."

Lydia Roth said, "It's great. I'm so glad. Michael Phelps is doing really well. So are a bunch of other people."

Okemos High School student Amelia Marsha said, "I think that's a really big accomplishment and really good for the sport."

Members of the Okemos High School girls swim team say they hope his success won't only make them want to work harder, but also inspire other kids to get in the pool.

Lauren Dudley said, "Join swimming. If you aren't sure about it, just try it. It's really fun."

Double said, "No one expects anyone to go at the olympic speed immediately so it's a great thing to do. Just in your off time for exercise even."

 Coach Patrick Saucedo says Michael Phelps owes much of his success to his coach, a man who spent a great deal of time getting him read to fight for Olympic gold. He tells us he hopes to give his girls the same skills and drive.

Saucedo said, "He had a goal in mind. He had a really committed coach to him as an athlete, and he had a good group of guys to swim and train with."

Roth said, "I set my sites on it but I better work harder."

Marsh said, "I don't know about the Olympics but I would like to try to get an olympic trial cut."

It will be another four years before any of these girls can test their skills at the olympic level. Perhaps working as hard as Phelps did will give them the edge they need to make it.