Dear Diary,

Here I am looking in disbelief at the first day completed of my fourth YMCA Spring Nationals. I honestly did not think that this day would ever come this quickly. For the past four years I have been very lucky to attend this amazing meet, each year getting better and better. I do not think that it is possible to put into words how truly special this meet really is. When I first attended this meet freshman year, all of the seniors kept telling me to not take this meet for granted, that the time I had here would go so quickly. I heard what they said and cherished each moment, but always thought to myself that I still had all the time in the world, that I would still be able to attend this meet for three more years. Well here I am, my senior year, and I can’t tell you how the time has flown. Already one day of competition is over, and my time here is becoming shorter and shorter.

Today the morning session for my team, the Wilton Wahoos, was amazing. We began the day with the 500 free and had best time after best time. Each of our swimmers put their hearts into each swim and gave it everything they had. I can’t tell you the feeling of watching your teammates training day after day and finally seeing all that hard work pay off. I personally had my first race of the meet today, which was the 100 back, my favorite event. I did not go exactly what I would have liked but still did a season best time. This one race made me look at my time spent here. I realized that no matter how I swam, I will always remember who I spent this time with and the memories we shared. I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of individuals on my team. We fully support each other and are all here to swim fast, and are able to have a few laughs along the way.

Tonight at finals my team had a few more wonderful races. We had three individual swims and one relay. For the past two years, our women’s 200 medley relay has not made it back to finals at night. Yesterday, the four girls on that relay were able to do just that. It was such a great feeling to see them accomplish something that we as a team have not been able to do for two years.

Well one day is over and three more to go. Today was a great day and I can only imagine that it will just keep on getting better. I wish everyone good luck for the next three days and have fun!!

~ Shannon Hartney

April 2, 2002

Wilton Wahoos

Conneticut