By Neil Schmidt
Enquirer staff writer

On the episode of the TLC network's While You Were Out that starred Nate Dusing, the show's hosts refer to him as the "relay master." As he showed during the group renovation of his house, Dusing is every bit the team player.

The Covington Catholic graduate has thrived in swimming's relay format: seven international medals, including Olympic silver in the 800-meter freestyle relay four years ago. But he's still seeking his first gold in a worldwide meet.

His next chance, and perhaps his last, comes in Athens as part of the 4x100 free relay. While U.S. teammates Gary Hall Jr. and Michael Phelps have sniped about the lineup - whether Phelps should be included; he didn't swim the 100 free at the Trials - Dusing remains a steady and loyal performer.

"It's a great feeling to go out as a team and represent your country," he said. "The (4x) 100 free, that's a big relay. It's early in the meet and sends a message to the rest of the countries."

Sports Illustrated picks the U.S. team to win the relay, in close competition with Australia, South Africa, Russia and Italy. Sycamore High grad Dan Ketchum will swim the 4x200 free relay, in which SI predicts the Americans will place second to Australia.

Dusing and Ketchum are expected to swim preliminaries. They'll likely need to be among the fastest splits in order to be picked for the finals.