Jesuit junior Matt Thompson says there are only about 10 days a year when he isn't in a swimming pool.

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"There are times when it seems like I spend more time in water than land."

But to attain the goals Thompson has in mind, he must be willing to put in the hours.

Thompson, a Dallas resident, will take part in the Olympic Trials, June 29-July 6 in Omaha, Neb.

Making the team is a long shot. He's shooting for 2012, when he would be a college junior.

Matt Thompson

His best event, the backstroke, is loaded with talent. Americans own six of the top nine times in the world, with only a couple of Olympic team spots available.

He's also met the qualifying standard in the 200 and 400 individual medleys.

A consolation prize from the Trials is the selection of a U.S. team for the FINA Youth World Championships, which begin July 8 in Monterrey, Mexico. Thompson came away with great memories after competing in the first such event two years ago in Brazil.

"Making that team for the second time is my goal this summer," he said.

If he does, it would be his fourth international event of his young career.

The summer also brings the start of college recruiting season. Thompson's current list includes Texas, Arizona, Stanford and Southern Cal. He plans to sign in November.

At state: Set state records in winning 200 IM (1:46.95), 100 backstroke (47.71)

About Thompson: Has won four gold and two silver medals in three state appearances

Did you know? He's been a certified scuba diver since age 12.

Even if Hockaday junior Spindrift Beck wasn't constantly winning high school swimming races, she'd still be willing to spend hours becoming better at the sport she loves.

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"Swimming has given me my meaning in life," said Beck, a Dallas resident. "I've been in the sport since I was 6. I've made a lot of friends through it, and my club coach, Mook Rhodenbaugh, is like my second father.

"Swimming will always be important to me."

Now that the high school season has ended, Beck will train for the Olympic Trials, June 29-July 6 in Omaha, Neb.

Spindrift Beck

"I'm just excited to be able to go," she said. "I have no delusions about making the team, but I'd like to make it to a semifinal or final heat."

She hopes the experience will help prepare her for 2012, when she would be a college junior.

Her other key meet this summer will be the U.S. Open, which begins July 29 in Minneapolis, Minn.

She will be a month too old to make the U.S. Junior team that will compete in the FINA Youth World Championships in Monterrey, Mexico.

"I'm bummed about that, but next year I'll have a chance to make the team for the World University Games."

She'll also be making her college selection in the next nine months. She said her early list of choices includes Georgia, Texas, Stanford, California and Arizona.

At conference: Broke her own Southwest Preparatory Conference records in the 200 IM (2:00.57) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.77)

About Beck: Set a national independent/ private-school record for the 100 breaststroke (1:00.66) at the North Zone TISCA Meet in November.

Did you know? She says she is terrible with directions and sometimes, when she gets turned around, she has to return to her house and start from there.