Medicine Hat

This past weekend we had B's in Medicine Hat. Elite Development had Olivia Anderson, Sarah Peddie and Haley Wirachowsky competing and it certainly went well. All three girls did extremely well and wrapped up their season on a high note.

Olivia started off the finals with an unbelievable 200 breaststroke. She really took it out hard and was able to hang on for the last three 50's to pull off a huge best time and also grabbing herself a shiny bronze medal. This was made all the more impressive considering she may not have slept...the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at took some serious adjusting. Olivia went on to have some more great swims, particularly her 100 back which showed she's no one stroke wonder.

Sarah Peddie took a few major steps this weekend. Sarah shook off the nerves and pulled out an amazing 200 backstroke and getting herself a silver medal. The next day that confidence helped to achieving a great time in the 200 IM and 400 free. More importantly the entire Peddie family escaped the same Bed and Breakfast the Anderson's and I were staying at by calling to see if there were any extra hotel rooms. Although they missed out on the swings, goats, and chickens, one can consider them very fortunate...one may think their kitten might not have fit in.

Haley Wirachowsky had the meet of her career thus far. She stepped up in all her races, making most of her finals and dropping HUGE amounts of time. She managed to get a bronze medal in her 50 backstroke and place well in all her other events. I think the confidence she got from racing with all these other fast swimmers will certainly help her next year. It was a great way to wrap up her season. Having no creepy B & B to think about, nor a kitten who needs constant attention clearly paid off.

A congratulations to all the other swimmers who put in some great races...In particular Matt Whiteside who qualified for A's by winning a great 200 breaststroke!!

Ryan Duggan had a great B's, whether it was swinging on a swing, petting goats, or choking down a strawberry smoothie, there certainly wasn't a dull moment. I found out that fireworks are overrated...at least during Redcliff Days, a large order or rib tips is too much, Perkins is just an okay restaurant, and despite giving 9 and 10 year old girls a thirty second head start I'm still the best Mario Kart player in the club.

Great season guys...now get all the rest you can over the summer and be ready to come back stronger then ever!!!

Silver Cup & Freeze or Fry

The past two weekends delivered the two last meets of the regular swim season. We started out with the Silver Cup, which was a huge success for our group. Everyone was knocking off time like crazy. Many swimmers managed to get best times in all their races, and there wasn't one kid who didn't have a swim the couldn't be extremely proud of. I think the highlight of the Silver Cup would have to be the fact that it was indoors....which leads us to the Freeze or Fry.

"It was the funnest meet I went to last year"...those words were said to me countless times leading up to this past weekend. Needless to say I was excited. Relaxing in the sun while all the kids worked hard was exactly how the weekend was planned. Mother Nature had a different plan however. Despite the cool conditions all the kids were great. I was very impressed with how little complaining went on...in fact I can be quite certain I was the one complaining the most. All the kids did a great job trying to stay warm, and there were great swims all around. Liam Strocher achieved an A time in his 200 fly which is definately one of the highlights of the meet. I think that the kids did a great job of keeping their spirits up and managed to have fun in a less then ideal situation.

With those meets out of the way we are left with B's this weekend and A's in July. Everyone has done a great job this season. Don't forget about the year end party on the 20th, I hope to see everyone there.

Training

It`s important to note that next week is the last week of regular training, and only those with A times will continue after the weekend of the 14th/15th. There will be a year end wrap up on the 20th as well to shower me with expensive gifts. Stay tuned for a Silver Cup and Freeze or Fry report.

Freeze, Not Fry...

I checked the weather for the weekend....things are going to be fairly wet. Make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes for the meet. I'm pretty sure the swimmers will be able to stay in the indoor pool area until their races....there is no guarantee where the parents and more importantly, the coaches are going to be able to stay dry. Braden and I went and bought some $4 poncho's this afternoon...feel free to steal that idea. See you at the meet!

I Can't Be Beat

If you see Ryan Schamber on deck, feel free to ask him how he did against me playing Nintendo Wii. I'm sure he will have no problem telling you he was simply no match for my gaming prowess. That is all.

Saturday Practice

This saturday (the 17th) practice will be from 7-9 as opposed to 10:30-12. This will give us a chance to swim with the older groups. It is also worth noting that there is no practice this holiday monday. Enjoy your Long Weekend....please don't come back with a broken bone!

Open Challenge

After embarrassing both Olivia and Dennis Anderson in Mario Kart for the wii I am looking for the next challenger...If you've got a wireless connection and promise you won't cry after losing feel free to race me. This is especially directed towards Ryan Schamber and Kevin Labonte...punks