Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series highlighting two former N.C. State swimmers who are trying out for the 2008 Olympics. Today’s story is on Cullen Jones. Look for the second part of this series, a story on Dan Velez, next week.
When he comes to the pool in Carmichael Complex to train, it could be easy for Cullen Jones to get distracted. After all, his name is all over the Casey Natatorium, on the list of the school’s All-Americans and NCAA and USA national champions, as well as the school record list as tops in the 50-yard freestyle.
But as Jones prepares for his June tryout for the U.S. Olympic team, he has more pressing things to think about.
“When I need motivation to swim faster, I think about the guys that I need to swim against. When I need motivation to get up in the morning, I think about those guys, especially the guys that I want to be on the team with, that I know they’re training really hard,” Jones said. “I don’t want to let them down.”
This has been Jones’s life for the past year and a half. He remains a few courses short of graduating after completing his eligibility in 2006, as he has focused his energies on honing his skills in hopes of earning a spot on the team that will compete in Beijing, China. Friday will mark six months until the Aug. 8 start of China’s first Olympics.
As that time approaches, Brooks Teal, State’s coach and also Jones’s coach in his preparation, said he’s seen the 2006 NCAA 50-yard freestyle national champion hit his stride.
“Cullen’s last month of training has probably been the best month of training that he’s had in almost two years,” Teal said on Friday. “So he’s really getting consistent, and if he’s consistent in his training, then he’s going to swim very fast.”
It wasn’t always looking so good for Jones, though. This past summer, he had a setback when he injured his back. But half a year later, he’s convinced the injury’s effects are in his past.
“I’ve been doing rehab, seeing a massage therapist about it. My back’s loosened up a lot, so I feel like with her help and with Brooks being understanding, it’s been a lot easier for me to come back,” Jones said. “And I feel great now.”
Jones was at last Friday’s meet at North Carolina, sitting with the team and Dan Velez, who also finished his career in 2006 and is trying out for the Puerto Rican national team. He still uses the same practice facilities as his former teammates, as well. But at times, it’s a bittersweet situation for him.
“Sometimes I just want to strap on a suit and want to swim with the team. I’m not over it. I had four great years swimming and training with the team. I count my blessings that at least I get to see the team, be with the team, mentor when I can,” Jones said. “A lot of people ask questions, and I try to help out as much as I can. It’s kind of rough because, like I said, I want to contribute.”
As he trains, his next meet will most likely be in Texas in March, where he will be able to interact with some of the nation’s top swimmers.
“I’m really excited about it,” Jones said. “I’m excited for them to tell me what I’m doing wrong, what I’m doing right and just picking their brains.”
Through it all, Jones’s swimming has even gained him important recognition and money from Nike, with whom he has a sizable contract, though he prefers not to discuss just how big the deal is. It’s something he said has allowed him to not have to get another job.
Jones has been a big player on the national and world swimming scene, scoring a second-place finish in his signature event, the 50-meter freestyle in the World Short Course event in 2006 in Shanghai, China. It’s an experience he hopes can give him a leg up on his Olympic competition if he makes the team. But he’s not taking anything for granted.
“It seems like it’s kind of locked up to go, but you know what?” Jones said. “Every four years there’s always somebody that pops up out of the woodwork, and you never saw them coming.”
Even so, he tries to keep any doubts about his chances to a minimum, as he feels good about where he is at this point.
“I try not to [doubt]. I feel like I’ve solidified my name in USA Swimming,” Jones said. “I think that a lot of people see me as a figure and someone to look out for.”
