Freshman Troy DeMoss shreds through the water performing the backstroke, his best and most accomplished stroke. Noticing he has a considerable lead, a rush of happiness overwhelms him and he pushes further. With help from a personal coach and having been born with a natural ability for swimming, he has his sights set on Michael Phelps. DeMoss started swimming competitively when he was six and now he has started to kick it into gear.

Mary Jo Klier, swim coach of the Kansas City Swim Academy, has been teaching DeMoss since he was 11 and has always thought very highly of him.

“When he was 12, he was the top 12-year-old [in the state],” Klier said. “And now that he’s 14, he’s really like the top 14-year-old around.”

Their sessions together are intense and they focus on eliminating weaknesses. But without many weaknesses, the two work on making his best strokes even better.

“When he was 11, he couldn’t do backstroke and now that is one of his best strokes,” Klier said. “He’s always working and working and trying to build on new things.”

Klier, as well as DeMoss himself, is aware of his swimming abilities.  His personal best in the 200 Individual Medley – 50 yards of each stroke – is 2:02 minutes. This is one of the toughest races because it requires a proficiency in all of the strokes. DeMoss works hard to improve on every stroke, especially on his breaststroke, since it’s his weakest. He also has a backstroke that could very well break the school record. DeMoss is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Going after the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time seems to be a near-impossible feat, but Troy is confident that he has a chance. He uses Phelps as a source of motivation and inspiration.

“Whenever people ask me if I want to be the next Michael Phelps, I always say no,” DeMoss said. “I want to be the person who is better than Michael Phelps.”

DeMoss and Phelps seem to have similarities in their drive to win and their personalities.

“I’ve heard stories about how they were not popular at all and that kids didn’t like [Phelps],” DeMoss said. “That’s me.”

Another swimming idol DeMoss can relate to is Bobby Bollier, whose hometown is the nearby Mission Hills and is a graduate of Pembroke High School. Bollier was a finalist at the Olympic Trials in 2008.

“He’s probably the youngest person I’ve ever seen go to the Olympic Trials,” DeMoss said.

In the lane, DeMoss is always focused and always wants to win.

“I’ve thrown my goggles plenty of times and it’s gotten me DQ’d quite a lot,” DeMoss said. “I can’t stand to lose and when I do lose I can’t take it.”

When it comes time to prepare for his races, DeMoss has a unique routine of his own.

“I usually play my PSP with this one certain game,” DeMoss said. “It’s called Ratchet and Clank and it just calms me down. I’ve been playing it for four years and I’ve become accustomed to it.”

His pre-race music lineup consists of Asher Roth and Rise Against for extra pump up.

“I love swimming for East,” DeMoss said. “I know all of the people and they are really nice guys.”

Phelps swam at Michigan in college and Bollier at Stanford. DeMoss plans to follow in his role models’ footsteps and swim in college as well.

“After high school I definitely want to swim for either Texas or Michigan,” DeMoss said. “Either that or just to keep swimming for Mary Jo.”

Having only joined the swim team at semester, DeMoss has to prove himself not only in his high school career but outside high school. Going after Phelps is a big commitment and will take lots of self-discipline.

“[Kids] say things like, ‘You’re never going to be as good as Phelps or anywhere near him,’” DeMoss said. “’You’re never going to be able to break that record, the 100 back record.’”

With two workouts a day and a steady source of motivation, DeMoss has set a goal for himself.

“I want to show the people who made fun of me what I can be.”

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