BATH, Maine — Mainer James Wells, a regular of the Bath YMCA, is cheering on his now fiancee Lilly King as she continues to make a splash at the Paris Olympics this year.
King recently competed in the 100-meter breaststroke and will compete again Wednesday in the 200-meter race.
"[The Olympics are] huge. [We've] got all shirts, even the dog has matching shirts," James' mother, Joanne Wells, said as she cheers on from Maine.
Starting small, James got his start swimming himself at the Bath YMCA alongside his other siblings.
"They took swim lessons here because we live on the water, so that was one thing we wanted to make sure they know, how to swim," Joanne said.
One of his mentors was coach Jay Morisette, who says even at a young age he could recognize Wells' bright future ahead.
"It wasn't really a surprise. Even as a young swimmer he had a lot of drive, very goal oriented, very focused," Morisette added.
So when James brought his then long-term girlfriend King home on a trip to Maine, those close to him knew something was around the corner.
James proposed this past June to King, right after her second qualifier before she headed off to the City of Love.
"I didn't know about the engagement until I saw him on TV, so we were always hoping because she's just a sweetheart," Joanne said.
Now, Well's friends and family alongside regulars of the Bath YMCA say they are ecstatic to cheer on King as well.
"They're both big personalities, and it's just a great stage for that to happen," Morisette said.