Friends and family of Andrew Wheating threw the 20-year old Olympic hopeful a big bash in his hometown of Norwich last night.
Wheating is heading to Beijing next month after placing 2nd in the 800 meters qualifying trials held at the place he attends college–the University of Oregon.
But if not for the watchful eye of his former soccer coach in Norwich, Wheating says his medal dreams as a runner would never have materialized at all.
Click listen to hear the interview.
AP Photo/Eric Risberg