Hello for the last time from the hot and sunny Maryland. I
cannot believe the meet is slowly coming to a close! Today I have already
swam the 200 Free Relay and the 50 backstroke. I went a 34.86 in my back,
which is a pretty good time; it was less than a second off my best. I have
one more event to go, which is the 400 Medley Relay. I will be doing the
free in it. It is absolutely amazing how fast this meet has gone by. It
seemed just like yesterday we got to the hotel and came to the pool to do
our mini practice. But the saying is true, Time flies when you are having
fun and that's exactly what this meet was, FUN!

I so glad I came to this meet! I have to admit, at first I
didn't want to come to this meet because I knew I was going to be one of the
youngest swimmers here and didn't want to come in dead last. But I didn't
get dead last and there were 13-year-old swimmers here. This was such a
great experience for me. I became a lot closer to some of my teammates and I
have seen friends that I haven't seen for 2-3 years! Like one of the journalists,
Katie. I meet her last summer at the State Games of America.
It was great to see her again! I would have to say this would be in my Top 3
most favorite meet I have ever been to!

Well yesterday we went to the Aquarium in Baltimore. It was
so much fun! We saw fish and turtles and so much more! Laura and I were going
to take all the funny looking sea horses because they were the cutest ones! Kelly
and I got to see Hammerhead sharks! They are my heroes! And then we went to the
Dolphin show. They did some amazing tricks! Kelly and Casey made funny
dolphin noises. Oh my, I couldn't stop laughing!

After we went to the Aquarium yesterday, we went to Hard Rock
Cafe. They were playing music and you could see the videos that went along
with the song. Well, Kelly, Greg, Katilin and I were sitting at our table
eating and we were all watching the TV screen to see what song was next.
Well all of the sudden we see on the TV screen "THE VILLAGE PEOPLE" .
As you all know, we were at Y Nationals and when the YMCA came on, we couldn't
help but get a little excited. Wait did I just say a little excited? We all started to
scream and Kelly and I got up on the chairs and started to do the YMCA dance.
Then one of the workers there came out and put an indian hat on Kelly, a police hat
on me, and a workers hat on Casey. EVERYONE in the restaurant was watching us
and clapping to the beat. We got a round of applause afterwards. That was probably the
best time I had at Nationals!

Well I have to go. I have enjoyed Nationals and enjoyed telling you about it! I had an
amazing time here. I meet so many new people and grew stronger friendships with my friends.
Before I go, I just want to tell you what our wrist bands say. "YMCA-Caring-Honesty-
Responsibility-Repsect." We had to wear this wrist band the whole time we were here at
Nationals. I think it is a good reminder of the 4 YMCA core values. You may not come
to this meet with 100% perfection of these values, but when you leave, I can assure you that
you will! I wish you all the best of luck in the days ahead of you and remember there is a huge
difference between "the best" and "your best". The best is simply an opinion, but when you've
gone your best, you know that you have accomplished your goals!

        Swimcerely-
    Kayleigh

"A true champion is the last one out of the water after a hard days practice, but the first one out when it really counts!"