Go Swimmers Go!

Brendan asked that I shave his head the night before the C finals to increase speed...almost, but not quite! 

To be overwhelmed with pride understates what I felt last weekend as I watched the kids swim in the C Final events at St. Catherine's pool.  This past season (their first season of swimming) has been a great testament to how humility, hard work and perseverance pays off even at this stage in their lives.  Clare, who is full of mite and energy pushed herself through the last 6 months going from an adequate swimmer to an excellent backstroke. She struggled in the early meets to get make it through 100 meters and now is excelling in a multiple strokes. 

Brendan on his way to meeting his 100m breaststroke to achieve a 'B' time  

Brendan, who has always been my 'daisy-picker' in sports, sort of floating through the motions in soccer, football and wrestling is now motivated and excited to achieve his goals.  He cut 9 seconds off his personal best in the 100 breast stroke to make it to the B final competition.  

Clare won her heat in the 50m backstroke

For all of you asking yourself 'what does C or B' time mean, in the simplest sense, it is the goal time set for each age bracket and stroke that the swimmers try to achieve.  At the end of the season, if they are able to achieve a minimum of a C time, they can attend finals for that event.  Clare swam the 50m backstroke and Brendan swam (5 events all told) 100m Freestyle, 50 Freestyle, 100 breast stroke, 50m breast stroke and the 50m backstroke. 

Brendan has always been a little fish, in fact I told him he was born to swim! Clare is a fighter and will always succeed in anything she does because of her will. 

Enjoy the pictures!