Ryan Murphy. The world knows him as one of the most recent gold medalists for men’s swimming in the 2016 Summer Olympics. The city of Jacksonville, FL knows him as the young swimmer from The Bolles School that made it to the Olympics and won a gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke. He is truly our hometown hero.

To say this kid swims fast is an understatement. In 2015, Murphy broke the American record for the 200-yard backstroke set by Ryan Lochte. We all recognize the passion and drive that all Olympic athletes possess, but when it’s someone from your hometown winning the gold, it’s just a little more impressive. This is simply because it becomes more real. It makes all the behind-the-scenes training seem more familiar, and closer to home.

Bolles is known in Jacksonville for producing top-notch athletes. Let’s just say it was never a mystery whom would be the victor at our football games when we played Bolles. As an Episcopal High School alumnus, I say this in all fairness, because, well, it was true. So out of all the schools in Jacksonville, it was no surprise that Murphy arose out of the Bolles swim program.

At a young 21 years old, Murphy is still in college, attending school at University of California at Berkeley. It’s crazy to think that someone my age, from my hometown is a gold-medalist at the Olympics.

I think one of the cutest stories of the Olympics in Rio was the letter they showed that Murphy wrote at a mere 8 years old declaring his Olympic aspirations for the future.

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Murphy wrote, “I hope my swimming life continues and I become an Olympian when I grow up. I hope I will break the world records. I want to be the best swimmer in the world.” Dedicating the book to his mom, Murphy’s wish came true.

In addition to impressing Americans all over the country, Murphy has made his hometown of Jacksonville, FL, especially proud to have such an amazing and dynamic athlete representing our city in the greatest exhibition of athletic ability in the world.

Good for you, Ryan Murphy. You go Ryan Murphy!