Today was definitely exciting! This wasn’t my first experience with YMCA Nationals, but it was my first trip to Ft. Lauderdale for the spring national competition. I got my first glimpse of the pool yesterday after registration, and it was amazing. I imagined I’d see lot of swimmers here, but with three pools full, it seemed a lot larger than I expected. I didn’t have an event to swim today, (in fact I don’t swim until Friday) but I time trailed the 100 Backstroke, so I spent most of the morning preparing for my race. I learned really quickly that shade and water were the key ingredients to a good swim (sun block on a newly shaved head is also very important). I felt really good about my time trial, I did what I hoped, I swam a best time. The best part about today was the opening ceremonies before finals. The red, white, and blue theme made a big impression on me, everyone seemed as though they were all part of a big team. Even during finals, everyone was cheering, it didn’t matter if they were from the same team or not. The sportsmanship is certainly obvious at this meet. This is one of the most fun meets I’ve been to, and it’s only the first day!

Joshua Catellier

Joliet Jets

Illinois

The first day of YMCA swimming and diving Nationals was definitely nerve wracking! The morning was chilly but sunny and very exciting. When the first swimmers of the first heat of the first event hit the water at approximately 9’oclock, the crowds were cheering and screaming hoping their swimmer would win. Once the first session was done the time trials and the divers started around 12:45 the excitement was still going strong! When I came back for finals they had a huge crowd of coaches and swimmers getting in line with other teams from their state to parade around the pool for opening ceremonies. There were people dressed in red, white, and blue, there where teams in tights, skirts and see through togas, there where also guys in girls short shorts, small tank tops, and cowboy boots and hats who were on the blocks doing the YMCA after the national anthem. Once finals started the excitement from all the swimmers, spectators, and coaches grew about ten times as much as it was this morning. The teams sitting behind me in the bleachers were dressed as Los Angeles fire fighters and where making siren sounds to cheer for their swimmers. While others where just standing behind there lane cheering them on as long as they could or to they lost there voices. I hope the rest of the days are as much fun as today was.

Ashley Jones

Joliet Jets

Illinois