Different strokes

When Wyatt Hodges and younger brother Coleman Hodges stand next to one another, there are striking physical differences, like Wyatt’s completely shaved head, arms and legs and Coleman’s full head of brown, curly hair. But the two do share something: A love for swimming.

The boys are competing in the Region VIII Swimming Championships taking place Wednesday through Saturday at the Mizzou Student Recreational Complex.

“They’re like night and day,” father Johnny Hodges said.

He said his 14-year old son is more of the social-butterfly type, while his 16-year-old son is more quiet.

The brothers started swimming competitively with the Columbia Swim Club 4 years ago. When they started, the two had little competitive swimming experience, but it soon became a way of life for the family.

“I don’t want to say it’s like a cult, but we’re in a different plane of existence than our friends,” the oldest brother said.

Their summer days begin early and require an early bedtime. The boys are in the water by 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday, practicing with the club.

The boys’ parents are just as dedicated to swimming.

We’re swim parents,” Johnny Hodges said.

Swim parents, who along with keeping full-time jobs, shuffle their two sons back and forth from morning and afternoon swim practices.

Johnny Hodges said swimming has been something that has pulled his family closer together. Instead of vacations, the family goes to swim meets like the one in Memphis this past year through the club.

The boys’ parents divided their time by volunteering at the meet as timers, helping out in the hospitality room and cheering for their sons on the side.

Wyatt is a junior at Rock Bridge High School and said he is looking forward to swimming on the high school team and competing with his younger brother, who will be a freshman this year.

“He’s significantly better than I was two years ago,” Wyatt Hodges said.

The 16-year old already holds the school record in the 100-yard breastroke and hopes to get better.

“You never swim a perfect race; there’s always something to improve on,” he said. “I have to work hard to swim fast.”

“It’s a lot of fun swimming with my brother,” Coleman said. “I look up to him a lot.”

The boys both want to continue swimming competitively for as long as they can and said they feel blessed to have the support from their parents.

“It’s really great to know our parents are right behind us, always encouraging us,” the brothers said.