Swimming more than a hobby for Kuper

Swimming isn't just a hobby for Jameson Kuper. It's a lifestyle.

His family ushered him into the sport at age 5, and now he won't let go of his dream of competing at the college level.

Kuper, a 16-year-old sophomore at Notre Dame Regional High School, hasn't taken a break from the sport since his mother, Pat, first taught him the basic strokes 11 years ago. A year later, at 6, he was swimming year-round for the Gators, a local club team.

He took a break from the Gators his freshman year to swim for Notre Dame under the coaching of his father, Lenny, but returned to the club afterward in search for more time in the water. He also noted that the level of competition on the Gators would better prepare him in his pursuit to compete for the University of Texas after high school.

"It was a really tough decision," Kuper said. "I had a lot of fun on the high school team, but the Gators practice more and swim much farther. I thought that with the Gators I could get where I want to be to have a better chance at college."

Kuper practices with the club Monday through Friday after school and Saturday mornings for over two hours. The team also swims from 5-7 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and trains with weights Wednesday mornings.

While he admits he doesn't always look forward to practice, Kuper has no problem finding the motivation to carry him through 8,000 yards of water each day.

"The amount of yards that we do is incredible," Kuper said, "but I just think about where I want to be my senior year in high school, and I think of Texas. The training and being there with my friends, knowing that they're working their tails off like me -- just the intensity of it is awesome. I feel good about what I do every day after I get out of the pool."

Kuper has also found inspiration from his sister Lindsay, who swam for the University of North Carolina-Wilmington her freshman year in college, and his older brother Jordan, who also swam for the Gators and Notre Dame.

"Jordan has given me more support than anybody else," Kuper said, "and my sister is always right there pushing me to go harder at practice. They've motivated me so much."

Kuper, who hopes to earn a spot in the U.S. Open meet within the next year, placed 12th out of about 80 participants, including college students, at a sectional competition in Oklahoma City last summer.

With his progressing success and work ethic, Kuper is optimistic about achieving his goal of someday placing in the NCAA national championships.