Michael Spillers made quite a splash in the summer between middle school and high school.
Spillers, a freshman at Willow Park Trinity Christian High School, competed for his club team, Sigma Swimming-Metroplex Athletics in the seventh Giochi del Tricolore Games in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Fort Worth's Sister City.
Fashioned in the style of the Olympics, the competition - held in late July this year - occurs every four years, beginning in 1997. The Games are an international celebration created to inspire unity and peace among athletes from around the world.
The competition featured 26 cities from 19 countries.
Spillers swam a 50-meter freestyle, 100 free, 50 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM, and he also competed in a medley relay, swimming backstroke.
"Overall, I think I improved on everything except my 200 breast, though I don't know my exact times," he said.
Spillers noted the competition was held in a long course pool, 50 meters instead of 25 meters, which many U.S. meets are held in.
"Honestly the long course pool, in my opinion is better. I really don't love flip turns, so cutting half of them out of my races is amazing, plus watching long course races is way more fun.
"I feel like watching the final stretch as they race to the wall is more enjoyable because there is so much room for a back-and-forth race."
While this was the highest level of competition in which he's ever participated, Spillers said he didn't find himself particularly nervous.
"I'd tell myself just to do as much as I could so I wouldn't ever regret it," he said.
This was his first time out of the U.S. He said his family had planned a trip outside the country a few years ago but it was canceled because of COVID.
He made the most of his visit, not only in the pool, but also by having fun otherwise. For example, he recalled going to a nearby gym after dark and playing soccer with no lights on, calling it "the worst game of soccer ever," but also one of the most fun.
"Everyone had socks on and was slipping everywhere. Mia was the only one of us who had ever even played," he said. "We played against some of the South African team participants but it was more for fun than anything. We ended 0-0.
"I think I was a pretty good goalie if I do say so myself. After soccer we pulled some random buggies out and pushed each other around."
He said his team also established a friendship with some athletes from another country in particular.
"Our team was constantly on the same bus as Turkey and we brought a little stuffed cow named Nelly from Texas with us. We gave Nelly to the Turkey team and every now and then we see Nelly posted on socials with the Turkey team even after returning home," he said with a chuckle. "Besides the Turkey team, I think we definitely hung out with the South African team the most. They were all so nice and genuine."
And once the swimming was over, he still wasn't ready to come home - so he didn't. He stayed in Italy for an extra week with his parents and older sister.
"We went to Rome, mostly because my dad wanted to see all the historic sights. Then we traveled to Naples, which I preferred way more," Spillers said. "Naples was cool and it wasn't as crowded as Rome. When we were in Naples, we took a boat tour around the islands of Capri and Sorrento."
And, well, he wasn't quite finished swimming in Italy.
"While we were there we swam in a cave on the island where the water was literally glowing blue (Blue Grotto)," he said.
But the thing he will remember most about Italy? The driving. Like many countries outside the U.S., they drive on the left side of the road.
"I didn't know what was happening. There aren't any lines, signs, no nothing," he said, adding with a laugh, "So, I kinda just held on for dear life."
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