
Bryce Hunt grew up in Indiana, attended Auburn University, studied medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (where he met his wife Katie), and is now a doctor at UAB Family Medicine. He capped off his Auburn swimming career with an appearance at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he swam the 200m backstroke. From Cohn ECLC to J Camp, their four kids are all LJCC regulars. Two of them, James and Teddy, currently swim for the LJCC Barracudas.
LJCC: Did you have early dreams of competing in the Olympics?
BH: I remember watching the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, but not really understanding it. By 1996 I was absorbed with watching the races. My favorite was an American backstroker, Jeff Rouse, who won the 100m backstroke and was on the gold-medal 4x100m medley relay. Backstroke was my best stroke, so I hoped to be as fast as him one day.
How did it feel once you’d qualified for the Games?
I had an interesting qualifying experience. In swimming, each country can only bring two swimmers in each event. At the 2004 Olympic Trials meet I actually got third in my best event, the 200m backstroke, which typically means you go home and that’s it. However, I was behind the world record holder, Aaron Piersol, and some guy named Michael Phelps. Turns out that Michael qualified in so many races that he needed to drop one in order to be able to do all his individual races and add his relay swims. He chose to step away from the 200m backstroke.
A few days after my race, my coach woke me early in the morning with the news that I’d made the team.
What was your training like after you’d qualified? Did you turn into a prune?
I spent about 15 years as a prune! After qualifying for the olympics at the trials in California, I spent six weeks in training camps until the games started. We spent time in California, Spain, and Greece. I trained daily with the rest of the team, many of whom already had Olympic medals, and many who would go on to win more. It was a pretty incredible period.
Who was your biggest cheerleader?
My parents. My mom and dad always believed in me and always had good advice about how to be better. Mom drove me to 5 a.m. swim practices before school and every day after school for years. They both were my biggest fans at the meets and at home.
What do the Olympics mean to you today? Are you looking forward to watching the Paris Games?
I love watching the Olympics. I most enjoy watching all the events where the Olympics is the pinnacle of their sport, such as swimming, gymnastics, rowing, track and field, etc.
How has your Olympian status influenced your family life? Do all your family vacations revolve around swimming?
Ha! No, my kids are still young, so we aren’t yet having to choose sports for our family getaways, though I’ll welcome it if that day comes. My kids do love the pool as much as anyone, and my oldest two are on the LJCC swim team. If they enjoy it, we’ll support them as far as they want to take it.
Being an Olympian seems like it must be pretty cool…
I have been incredibly fortunate to be an Olympian. It was an honor to represent my country, I got to travel around the world to compete in a sport, and I got to associate with many many wonderful, inspiring, amazing people along the way.
What do you appreciate most about the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center?
My wife and I love having our children at The J. I most appreciate all the teachers and staff. We trust the people here and feel very safe. The teachers are welcoming and my kids enjoy it, which is immensely important.
