At every turn this week, Ilia Reyes is reminded that the 3,900 miles between Kaunakakai, Molokai, and Omaha, Neb., barely hint at the journey that has brought him to these U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

When he takes in the atmosphere in the sold-out 14,000-seat CenturyLink Center, passes Michael Phelps on the pool deck or poses for pictures on the TV stage, it is testament to the path of self-discovery and personal affirmation that has led him there.

Ilia Reyes:
Will swim in 100 free
today at Olympic trials

The 22-year-old Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawaii graduate will swim in today’s 100 free and Saturday’s 50 free events, the pinnacle of a swim career he hardly dared to imagine five years ago as a walk-on to the UH swim team.

"I never thought I’d get to this level," Reyes said. "I remember, coming out of high school, I just wanted to swim in college."

A former Kamehameha teammate tipped UH coach Victor Wales to Reyes, whom he encouraged to walk on. Still, "when he first came out I don’t know if he thought he was even going to make it," Wales said. "I didn’t know if I thought he was going to (make it)."

Reyes, who had initially followed three older sisters to the pool on Molokai, had done well in age-group and high school competition on natural ability.

"He went to the pool, had fun and won," Wales said. "He practiced three times a week, swam a few months of the year and was good, so, he didn’t see why he’d have to do much more."

But success in college demanded plenty more, especially from a 5-foot-8 sprinter in events dominated by 6-foot-plus competitors, testing resolve and dedication more than his technique.

"Swimming is hard work, you have to put a lot into it," Reyes said.

Yet, in 2009 when Reyes set several records, he was disbelieving when he heard the meet announcer proclaim he had achieved an Olympic trials qualifying time in the 50 free.

"I thought, ‘What qualifying time?’" Reyes said. "My coach told me, ‘You made the qualifying time,’ and it was like, ‘Oh, did I?’ I was just trying to beat the guy (in the lane) next to me."

In time, the idea of where that qualifying time might take him drove Reyes to invest even more in his training and dedicate his offseason regimen as well.

"He took it to heart and, in doing so, became a leadership example to the team," Wales said.

On the way to a Conference USA championship in the 50 free, Reyes was a scholar-athlete and was voted team captain for 2010-11 and most inspirational member.

Then, he thought about following up on that Olympic qualifying opportunity.

"One of my teammates, Perry Sharify, told me, ‘You’ll have to train a whole year for something like that.’ I told him, ‘Oh, thanks, man.’"

But with a degree in kinesiology and rehabilitation science and odd jobs to help pay the bills, Reyes dedicated himself to the task, practicing nine times a week.

He understands that for somebody whose times aren’t in the top 50 in either event, a berth on the U.S. team to London is a dream. That even among some of the sport’s superstars, Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian, there will be disappointments.

"I’m trying to be realistic," Reyes said. "I’d just like to get another swim (into the semifinals)."

Anything to prolong a remarkable journey that has already defined him.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.