Good evening,

Tonight was a tough loss to Two Rivers, 326.5 - 273.5 points.

On to more fun stuff though.... MEET HIGHLIGHTS  :)

• 47% improvement rate
• 76 New Individual Best Times
• Full meet results are attached.

Sportsmanship: For demonstrating honor, fairness, and appreciation towards competitors. This could be from shaking hands after a race, to conversations overhead by coaches between competitors, to any other observed actions that may fall into this category.

• Collin Casey, Alex Harlos, Tristen Vasquez, Nick Berger, Autumn Quercia, 

Team Spirit: For consistent and enthusiastic cheering.

• Gwen Henry, Emma Sepulveda, Henry Hartman, Kayden Cullen

Excellence

Bella McKenna - In the 100 IM a Two Rivers swimmer ran late to the block, and in a somewhat panicky voice said, "I forgot my cap.., I forgot my cap!" Bella didn't hesitate for a moment, even though she was there to swim her own 100 IM the next race, she selflessly handed her cap to the other team's swimmer. That's what I call a true demonstration of sportsmanship! Here's the irony though, that's actually against league rules. A number of years ago for a few seasons in a row, wearing the other team's caps was a major controversy. A controversy coaches and officials seemed to debate and argue about at league meetings fairly often. Kids just having fun...maybe. Kids just trading caps as collector items...maybe. Kids stealing other team's caps...maybe. Teenagers of one team trying to sow confusion amongst the officials and place judges as to who actually finished first and thus scoring more points...maybe. Getting younger kids to wear the wrong cap and confusing marshallers and timers as to who is supposed to be in which lane, and thus gaining an advantage...maybe. In the end, a league rule was created stating swimmers are only allowed to wear their team cap or a plain solid color cap. However, in this case, I argue that Bella's motivation was clear and obvious..., she wanted to help a fellow swimmer, even one from the opposing team. Plus, it's not like the Two Rivers coach was going to call an infraction against his own swimmer either. :)

Matt Romero - In the 50 Fly, Matt had a super fast reaction time off the block, a good streamline and breakout, to surface in the lead. That start enabled him to post a personal best time and hold on for a 3rd place touch.

Brody Cullen - 3 swims, 3 wins, 3 PJSL Qualifying Times. Also, in the 50 Fly, he was tied going into the turn, but he drove his knees into a tight ball near the wall, and was able to have a fast spin, thereby pretty much sealing the win with that turn by taking the lead.

Mosael Cordova - In the 50 Free, Mosael used his newly incorporated freestyle stroke technique of long arms, thumbs past the thighs, to drop 7 seconds and earn a new best time. 

TUESDAY AWAY MEET @ BELVIDERE - at the end of the meet, on the way home, it is our team tradition to all meet at Zeek's Place on Rt. 519 for ice cream!!!

Hope to see you there,

Coach Drake