Jun. 24—INDIANAPOLIS — , Sam Wesley ‘s , plans for the third week of June did n’t include , U. S.  , Olympic Trials. At least no when he completed what he believed to be his final major float competition.
The Episcopal Academy All- Delco and mature at the , United States Military Academy , wrapped up his career in the springtime as an all- Patriot League , second teamer. He planned to take the overdue- season taper into one final lengthy- course meet in , Illinois, bid farewell to swimming long, graduate from , West Point , and head to field artillery officer training.
Then something strange happened: In March, at the TYR Pro Swim Series in , Westmont, Wesley went and got his Olympic Studies cut in the 200 personal mix, among two additional best times.
So away to Indy it was.
” It’s pretty awesome”, Wesley said after his swim at , Lucas Oil Stadium. I had no idea when I arrived. I had planned to attend TYR Pro, but I decided to kind of stand my helmet it. I much before aimed to compete in the Olympic Trials, but I never really had a good opportunity while attending West Point’s COVID program. It was really tough.
” But when I saw an opportunity to perform it, I was injury- free, sadly, I swam with the team and got the cut, and happy to extend my career three more months.”
Wesley’s knowledge was wonderful. He finished 75th in Thursday’s primary heat, slower than the Studies slice of 2: 01.87 he’d attained at , Westmont, to get 2: 04.46 at the house of the , Indianapolis Colts. He had risen to the 37th place.
The backstroker and IMer were arguing that all was lost on them.
Some of the success came from demonstrating his ability one more time. His junior year saw the development of shoulder issues and a back injury, which is a more pressing issue for someone whose career is expected to be physically demanding. He missed last year’s post- college- season swims with the latter injury.
Thursday, then, was part two of his graduation.
His family — including brother , Ben Wesley, who swam at , Swarthmore College, and his grandfather, a , Vietnam , veteran who inspired Sam’s military trajectory — went to , West Point , for his formal graduation.
The family from , Prospect Park , was in Indy to see him walk across a very different kind of stage.
Wesley kept his attention on the perseverance of his journey and the lessons he hopes to impart to his soldiers on the ground.
” It’s just a lot of patience, just follow what you’re given from my trainers and physicians who helped me get back to normal, “he said”. When I enter the Army, I want to teach my soldiers to take good care of their bodies, as they should be. Listen to your body, and just follow the rules and you’ll come out on top.”
Wesley’s leadership of Army’s swim team receives a final hurrah at the Olympic Trials. The program sent five swimmers to Indianapolis, after just two at Trials in 2021 and one in 2016.
That includes its first- ever female Trials qualifier,  , Aurelie Migault, and its first multiple- event qualifier,  , Kal Hahn. Among the quintet is , Kohen Rankin, who qualified for , NCAA , Championships this year, Army’s first swimmer at men’s NCAAs since 1987.
Wesley’s presence in Indy cements his place in that upward trajectory.
” It’s super awesome to be part of that, “he said”. I vowed to see the Army Swim and Dive’s goals grow each year. And that’s what I’ve been doing. Each season, the ceiling has been raised even higher. And I ca n’t even express how excited I am about the upcoming season. They are truly prepared to accomplish our objectives in a significant way.
Wesley will have six weeks of summer off next. His first posting will be Fort Sill in , Oklahoma , for the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leaders Course for six months. His first duty station will be for around three years at , Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
He enters the field with a positive conclusion to his swimming career that spans more than ten years.
” You’re proud that, oh, yeah, I graduated West Point and I’m going to be in the Army. But to do this also, I cannot believe how proud I am of my counterparts, “he said”. And just how thankful I am for the support staff, my family as the biggest, but the coaches, mentors at , West Point, teachers, and just everyone around me, especially the team. Every day, they pushed me to be my best self. And that’s all I can ask for.”
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