Visions of Omaha Dance in Paul Carter’s Head

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, March 21. OLYMPIC Trials only come around once every four years, and 50 year-old WACM Masters swimmer Paul Carter is hoping this is his year to make the cut.

With a career best time of 56.40 in the 100m butterfly, Carter sits less than a second outside the Trials qualifying time of 55.59. Just over three months remain till the meet gets underway, and Carter knows it's nearing crunch time.

"There are only about 2-3 meets left that I'll swim unshaved, then I'll rest for the Speedo Grand Challenge in Irvine in May. If I don't make it there, there'll be a couple meets left after that that I'll just keep resting for," he said.

Training wise, Carter feels he's in the best shape he's ever been in, and knows this could be his last opportunity to qualify the prestigious meet.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and this could be my last chance," he said. "It's what gets me up in the morning."

Swimming fast when it counts should not be an issue for Carter, based on his past accomplishments. He currently owns three world records in the men's 45-49 age group, in the 50 scm fly (25.84), 100 scm fly (57.17), and 100 lcm fly (57.57), and one in the 40-44 age group, the 100 lcm fly (56.85). In the latest Top Ten Rankings for short course meters, he occupies first in the 50 and 100 fly and 100 and 200 IM.

Whether he's able to punch his ticket to Omaha or not, the next few months should be quite a ride for Paul Carter.

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