Summer Olympics Within Reach For Annapolis Teen: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis teenager Joe Hayburn will compete for a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, WBAL reported. More than 800 people gathered outside St. Mary's High School Tuesday morning to send Haybrun off to his swim meet, journalist Pete Gilbert wrote.

WBAL noted that Hayburn, 17, will race in the 100-meter backstroke in the Team USA Olympic Swim Trials. The trials start Friday in Omaha, Nebraska.

"It is the most incredible experience that I’ve ever done in my entire life," Hayburn told WBAL. "It’s such an honor competing against some of the greatest athletes in the entire country, and it really is a blessing -- especially someone my age and only [as] a sophomore in high school -- to be able to be exposed to that level of competition."

If Hayburn qualifies, he will join Micahel Phelps as Olympic swimmers from Maryland. Hayburn would also be the first St. Mary's athlete to reach the Olympics, WBAL added.

The summer games start July 23.

To learn more about Hayburn's journey, check out WBAL's full story.

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