Uncharted waters

After turning the area's swimming scene on its ear last year en route to becoming the News & Messenger's Male Swimmer of the Year, Seton's Jameson Hill has already added a new item to his resume -- world class competitor.

For the first time in his life, Hill, who lives with his guardian, QDD Aquatics coach Rick Benner, swam overseas, traveling to participate against the world's top swimmers in the FINA World Cup in Stockholm, Sweden and Berlin, Germany.

Hill swam five events in Stockholm. His best finish was a 22nd place finish in the 400 freestyle. He also swam in two events in Berlin where he finished 52nd in the 200 freestyle and 59th in the 100 butterfly.

Hill said swimming with the world's elite was "a great experience."

"It was great to swim with so many of the top-level guys (in the world) and to talk with so many of the world's best," Hill said. "The atmosphere (oversees) is a lot more intense. You have to show up with your A game every time if you want to have a chance at competing. It really is awesome."

Perhaps surprisingly, Hill said he was not nervous when competing against many of the world's best.

"I wasn't that nervous, despite the fact this was my first big competition like this," Hill said. "Everyone was just so relaxed. There wasn't a whole lot of pressure, so that made it easier. One thing I realized is the other swimmers are just human like everybody else. There wasn't any awe or anything like that."

One of the highlights of his overseas trips, Hill said, was talking to many of the top American swimmers, including Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, who competed at the Berlin event.

"It was cool to be around him and some of the other (Americans)," Hill said. "I enjoyed seeing how he goes about his business. More than anything, I was impressed with what all the (American) guys had to say. What they told me was, 'Dream big, set big goals for yourself and never underestimate your abilities.' I haven't won Olympic gold, so hearing from them was great in terms of how they handle pressure and letting me know what it takes to get there."

While Hill will still be traveling often as well as swimming for QDD and Seton, his schedule figures to slow down some, especially now that he has determined which college he will attend next year. Hill, who moved to Virginia from Savannah, Ga., last season, on Tuesday signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Georgia next fall.

"It's a relief to have it (the college selection process) over with and know that I am swimming with a great group of guys," Hill said. "I can focus on my schoolwork now and not have to worry about the whole admissions process. I'm really happy that it is so close to home. I have always loved everything about it (the Georgia program) and it will be nice to be a part of it."

Hill said his goal for the upcoming season is getting better at doing "the little things, improving my weaknesses."

"I want to focus on getting faster in all my races and putting up good times without swimming in the high-tech suits," Hill said. "Swimming in a high-tech suit is definitely a different feeling. It doesn't really change how I approach racing, but it definitely makes a difference in terms of times. I first started swimming in one this summer and now I am adjusting to not swimming in one. But I should be fine this season."