THE NEBRASKA 100

Doug Whitman might be something of a prophet regarding Grand Island's Scott Usher. In a 1999 newspaper questionnaire, the Grand Island swimming coach noted that "Usher is one to watch." True, that can be taken many ways, but as it turned out, the entire country had the chance to watch Usher in the 2004 Olympics.

Usher ended up finishing seventh in the 200 breaststroke, but he likely will improve upon that in 2008. In July, Usher finished ninth at the World Championships in Montreal. Pam Usher, Scott's mother, said that the championships are just as important for swimming in the years between the Olympics.

Scott's father, Tom, said people don't realize how much time it takes to become an elite swimmer. Scott spends five to six hours training every day, missing out on normal school breaks and even Christmas.

Usher began to come into his own during his sophomore year in high school, when Grand Island's senior breaststroke specialist graduated. Usher knew he had to step up, and he did. In the next three years of high school, he sharpened his technique at the Junior Nationals in San Antonio, as well as several other big meets.

To become an Olympian swimmer from Nebraska and Wyoming instead of California or Texas is not common, but with Usher's work ethic, it just makes sense.

--Matt VanEpps