Dear Diary,

Today I sat looking out onto the pool after I was done with my last race, tears filling my eyes. I knew that this moment would come, but I had hoped that it would not come so quickly. I cannot even begin to describe all the different emotions that went through me at that one moment, though sadness seems to be the overwhelming feeling. Although I have not always swum as fast as I would like to have in the past four years, I have had some of the best times of my life, and I will take those with me and cherish them forever.

Another night of finals went by very smoothly with little interruption. Another record was almost broken in the women’s 400 IM, but just missed by eight one hundredths of a second. Tonight another great race was by the four boys on my team that swam in the 800 free relay. Just the day before they all swam the 200 free, disappointed by their results. They were able to come back the next morning in the relay and make top heat at night. This evening they again amazed us all, each boy swimming a lifetime best time allowing them to finish fifth overall.

Something else that is a bit random, but one thing that my teammates and I all love is bead man. Each year we all visit him a few different times throughout the meet. That is just one of the many things that I will always remember about this meet.

The third night has quickly come to a close. Tomorrow the last day of competition will begin and I am sure will it will be filled with even more fast swimming. Although I am all done with my races, my teammates still have many more important swims to complete. Good luck to all…

~Shannon Hartney

April 4, 2002

Wilton Wahoos

Connecticut