Swim championships

This week was the end of the swim season, which means we had swim championships.  It was our pool's turn to host this year.  Being during band camp made it really challenging, but Andrew and I did what we could to help out.  He helped set up bleachers Tuesday evening and did some timing Wednesday morning.  I worked at concessions Wednesday afternoon.  And of course, our kids swam!

Robert was disappointed that the change in departure date meant he wouldn't be swimming at champs.  He would've been useful in many ways, but on our end it was nice to have one less person to worry about.  He is my strongest swimmer, and I was convinced this year we wouldn't have to worry about Finals swims on Thursday evening.  When the lineup came out on Monday, I was a little stunned to see that Thomas was an alternate in three relays...including one in the 15-18 group!  Shortly after, we received a text from the coach that there had already been a scratch and Thomas would indeed be swimming in that particular relay.  Of course that meant missing band Thursday evening and extra practices for swim throughout the week as well!

When we got to the pool Wednesday morning it was actually almost chilly.  Catherine swam in the very first event which was the 200m free.  She hadn't had to swim it all season, and band camp week probably wasn't the best time for her to give it a go.  I could tell about half way through that she was really struggling.  Her body was just so tired from the week, but she finished.  She mentioned how much she was hurting and that was hard to see.  In fact, Catherine struggled in most of her races, but ended on a high note.  The breast stroke was last, and Catherine is pretty good at that one.  In fact, she just missed coming in first in her heat.  I was so proud of the way she finished her season, and she was thrilled as well.

Thomas swam two events Wednesday morning and Andrew and I both noticed that his freestyle stroke is looking much better.  I dropped him off for his Thursday night relay, and then returned after getting students checked in for the band overnight.  By that time Finals had gone into a lightning delay, and there was a lot of standing around.  Of course, Thomas's relay was the very last event (so yes, my kids swam in the very first event of the entire experience, and the very last), which is why he hadn't reported with the rest of the kids.  As he stood there I couldn't believe my little guy was swimming with 15-18 year olds!  I knew he was nervous, but he just needed to touch and swim cleanly, which I knew he could do.  We knew our guys would probably come in last in this event, but even that would earn points.  Thomas was the second leg, and we were already nearly an entire pool length behind when he jumped in.  He did just fine though, and I was so proud of him.

Because of the weather delay, Thomas wanted to leave right away and get back to the school for the band activity.  We missed finding out that our time had won the league championship for the first time in seven years!  We didn't even attend the banquet last night.  I feel a little guilty about it because I know the kids would've enjoyed celebrating the win, but we were just all way too wiped out.  Robert had already received his senior award, and I didn't expect Catherine or Thomas to win anything special, so we allowed ourselves to stay home and just crash for the day.  When I write my post about the band overnighter, you will understand why that was so important!