April 6, 2002

Friday, the last day of Nationals, everybody is tired, yet the energy is still there when you walk into the pool area. Everybody wants to do well and end the week on a good note. So far, OCY has had the best Nationals ever. Christie Raleigh,14, won the 50 free, and placed in the top eight in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly, and the 200 free relay, along with Madeline Heilman,12, Tara Gillies, 14, and Meghan Quinn, 12. Being a senior, and having my last YMCA race ever, today was very emotional, as it was for all the other seniors. The end of my 13-year Y season has come to an end, but it will not be forgotten. The friendships I have built, and the memories I have made will always be there for me to look back on. I’m sure I’ll look back with a smile on all the times, both good and bad. And the sets that I had once considered hard will seem easy compared to the tough college sets I’ll be facing. Swimming has taught me so much about life. Dedication, motivation, and discipline just to name a few. I will carry these lessons into college, and throughout the years ahead. I owe a lot of my success to my coaches, without them I’m sure I wouldn’t have made it this far. They’ve all been consistently by my, and each one of my teammates sides throughout my swimming career. They push us every day in practice, unrelenting, driving us to go faster. I want to thank Jim Francis, John Morrison, "Peaches," Mike Conlon, Gretchen Surrett, and Justin Alsobrooks for everything they have done for me these past few years. Swimming without them and my teammates will be something hard to get used to. Wrapping it up, Nationals this year has been the best experience of my life, and the most memorable, and I want to thank all the people here for making it unforgettable. Great Job this year, and Good Luck next year to everybody, and HAVE FUN!!!!

Swimmingly,

Carlee Carew, Paige Gray, Heather Farrell, Christie Raleigh, Meghan Quinn, Madeline Heilman, Tara Gillies, Kevin Oliver, Pat Quinn, Joey Coronato, Josh Foresman, Jon Kavanaugh, Chris Bouch Bryan Geiger, and Tim Conway.

Ocean County YMCA Tigersharks

New Jersey