Swim Team Awards

Jersey #1 missed the last swim meet and the swim team awards this season, due to our travels.  

The last swim meet was a district meet, where swimmers were attempting to qualify for finals.  The top 3 swimmers would advance to the finals meet.  We were very confident that she was not at any risk of making the top 3.  We are certainly proud of her achievement all season, but she was just not that fast.  Yet.  I chatted with her about it, and she agreed that the Navajo Nation Mission Trip was much more important.

The end-of-season awards potluck was scheduled right at the start of our church camp week.  Once again, we chatted.  Jersey #1 is much better at prioritizing her time and activities than I am.  I try to do all things, ignoring limitations.  She is smarter about picking between two activities that fall on the same date, without any drama or guilt.  I am amazed by this.    She chose church camp, and was not concerned about missing the swim team potluck.

It turned out that we had friends on the swim team, who were also joining us at camp.  They decided to attend the end-of-season swim team potluck, and arrive at camp a day late.  They were kind enough to pick up Jersey #1's awards for her.

It was no surprise that the coaches gave each player some sort of award.  This season, it was a certificate that was titled in a way that described the swimmer.  Jersey #1 received the "I Can Do This" award certificate, due to her willingness and determination to swim more events during the meets, and to learn new skills, such as diving off the starting block and the butterfly stroke.  It was sweet that her coaches recognized her good attitude about such things.

It was a complete surprise to learn that Jersey #1 also earned a trophy for being the "Most Improved" swimmer in her division.

When announcing the award, the Head Coach explained that Jersey #1 was a swimmer who started the first week of practice looking like she was going to drown after 3 strokes.  By mid-season, she was winning heats during meets.  

It was a dramatic improvement, but I did not realize it at the time.  That trophy, and the Coach's comments, really opened my eyes to how hard Jersey #1 worked and how far she progressed during this one swim season.  It was awesome.

I am proud.