The final day of the YMCA National competition had to be the best! Everyone that was done swimming was cheering for their team members that still had to swim. Today was the day that I swam my event. At the beginning of the week it seemed like forever until I had to swim, but after days on the beach, and swimming time trials, my race came faster than I expected. My race was disappointing, I added time, and lost about 20 spots in ranking, but after being able to come to this meet, and seeing all of these other swimmers competing, and cheering for each other, and just having a good time, there was no way that I could have been upset with my swim. My friend Mike who wrote the last two nights left for home after the end of the prelim session. It’s too bad he didn’t get to stay, after the final session of the meet ends we are going to a party that the SPY team is hosting at their hotel. All in all this was a great end to a great season, I wish I had done better in my event, but I did really well in time trials through the week and I was very happy with the way in ended. I have to say, the gate guys were the best part of the week, they really made the meet fun.

Joshua Catellier

Joliet Jets

Illinois

Today was definitely a great finish to a great season and a great meet. I didn’t swim an individual event today but I time trialed the 200 fly with a best time by a second. Even though I only time trialed I got to watch my fellow teammates swim their events (200 fly and 100 breast). They did pretty well. The gate guys gave away the team of the day and the team of the week and the team of the week ran around the pool waving a flag with their team logo on it. Other swimmers from teams from my state also swam well today, they placed in relays, the mile, and the 200 fly. It was great meet, I’m glad I got to swim, and I hope next year I will make finals.

Ashley Jones

Joliet Jets

Illinois