John Ferrara was the love child of John Peters and Julia Ferrara. John was born 6 months after his father died a day after swimming an unprecedented 400 IM, for his Alderson Broadus college championship. Julia moves to Charleston, WV, and John meets Ben and Denise. John develops into a swimming prodigy and becomes well known in the Charleston area. His mother marries and they move into a house with Mr. Milton, near Denise. John suffers at the hands of Mr. Milton, meanwhile his love of Denise and friend Ben make his life passable. Fortunately, the people in the city love John and help him earn enough money to enter swim meets. On a vacation to Baltimore, John's talent is recognized as Olympic possibilities, and John moves with his Aunt Angela to Pikesville, MD. In Baltimore, John blooms to a major force in swimming with the help of his lunch group, who push him both academically and athletically, while his Denise and he are still falling in love. John's first attempt to make the Olympics falls just short, and a few weeks later his Denise is lost after an auto accident. Despite being in a funk, his friend Emily takes the place of his Denise, and John regains his form to swim for the University of Michigan.

After another lost relationship, with Janice another swimmer leaves the school, John again goes in to a monk like existence. The women of Michigan plot a blind date of Francine Shuler, "John's type, athletic, smart, fast witted, and beautiful". After a slow relationship start the two fall very much for each other, and it is this new relationship that allows John to focus on swimming again.

Between Aunt Angela and Francine, John now has two strong women that help him to become the best student, athlete, and person that many people love. In the end, John finally achieves his Olympic medal, but at the cost of any relationship with his mother and the Charleston connection.