Local, Top Swimmer Looking To Earn Spot On 2016 Olympic Team
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Brendan McHugh is a native of Sicklerville down in South Jersey and a product of the University of Pennsylvania. He's also one of the top swimmers in the US and looking to earn a spot on the 2016 US Olympic team.
McHugh is juggling training these days with law school. This summer he will swim at the World Championships in Russia, but he says his main focus is making the US Olympic team that competes in the 2016 Games in Rio and he feels he is right on track.
"I think that very few people ever get to the level I'm even at right now," said McHugh, "so that's pretty much a blessing. But always trying to achieve the next step and the next level and pretty much the only thing left for me to do in this sport is to become an Olympian."
McHugh said what sets him apart is his focus and dilligence:
"If I miss practice, I feel like I did something wrong. It's just in my being to show up all the time and work hard. I'm just always looking for ways to innovate and get better too at this point."
The breaststroke was McHugh's focus last year and he actually broke the U.S. Open Record in the men's 50 meter breaststroke.