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Steamboat Springs — At this point in his season, nerves are never the biggest problem for Frank Ruppel.

The 10-year-old local swimmer admits the first meet of the season might carry some nerves, but after that, it's all excitement.

And judging from his performance at this past weekend's Junior Olympics in Fort Collins, Frank has plenty to be excited about.

Frank finished fifth in the 50-meter backstroke, fifth in the 100 back, sixth in the 100 butterfly, 11th in the 100 free and 11th in the 200 individual medley.

The big coup came when Frank finished first in the 50 fly, cutting three seconds off his best time to hit his last zone mark.

Frank already had hit two zone marks, and his third qualified him for Team Colorado. Unfortunately, since Frank qualified so late in the season, the team already is full.

Still, that couldn't hinder the excitement.

"Before (the 50 fly), I wanted it the most. I knew I wanted it more than anyone in this thing," Frank said Wednesday. "I got in blocks and was ahead of them in the beginning, and I swam faster. When I got out, I was so happy. I smiled and was like, 'Yes. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'"

Steamboat's other local competitor, Keala Fraioli, also showed well. She finished 12th in the 50 breast and 16th in 100 breast.

Frank said it was by far the biggest and most competitive meet he had been to. Despite swimming so many events - including the 50 free, 100 back and 200 IM, all in one day - he said his emotions and adrenaline carried him through.

"My best experience was getting first in the state," he said. "But it was a big relief of getting the zone times."

Frank will continue to train for the rest of the summer. He'll have one more meet in Aspen before turning in the swimming trunks for Nordic skis. He'll be back in the pool next spring and hopes to continue his success. His ultimate goal, he said, is to one day swim in the Olympics.

"I think I had the best meet," he said. "I just had a lot of excitement and think that's what pushed me through it all."