Trials: A Swimming Novel of Olympic Dreams and Redemption

Trials: A Swimming Novel of Olympic Dreams and Redemption

" Trials is that rare novel that slips beneath the surface of sport and resurfaces somewhere deeper - gritty, lyrical, and hauntingly real. It’s not just a story about swimming; it’s a plunge into obsession, identity, and the unforgiving pursuit of greatness. You don’t read this book - you feel it, in your lungs, your muscles, your pulse." —Mel Stewart, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion and CEO, SwimSwam They were once rising stars. A decade later, three swimmers again face the challenge of qualifying for the Games in the midst of a brutal economic recession and geopolitical turmoil. As Olympic Trials approach, the dream remains the same, but the stakes have changed. In 2004, the Holybridge Aquatic Club was New England's most prestigious swim team. Connor Mahoney, Hunter Banks and Miles Green were the toast of swimming. Wes Mahoney was the most celebrated coach in the country. Matt McDaniels was his brilliant assistant and headed for an NCAA coaching gig. Ten years later, each is a different person in a different world. The unraveling of the American economy and a series of unexplained power grid attacks upend swimming's balance of power. When an old Massachusetts coaching legend finds opportunity in crisis, three men on the wrong side of 30 have one last chance to find glory. Set against New England pools and the pressures of an unforgiving sport, Trials is the story of when life happens but the fire won't go out.