I know I said I wasn't going to post, but Daddy-o wanted videos of the kids races to share, so I thought it would be easier to write a quick blog and share the happenings of the first of three championship swim meets that are on the schedule for the rest of the summer.
Last Thursday, July 10th, Rubix, Phoenix, Keith and I headed to Santa Rosa. Axel had two more days of AP Bio left and Gma Susan offered to come down to keep Axel company. Axel and I were so grateful for Gma. He was so mature picking her up from the Amtrak station. Gma joined him for his cross country practices on Friday evening in Los Gatos and Saturday morning in Half Moon Bay. The team had a workout at Half Moon Bay High School and then went to Dad's Luncheonette for Lunch. Gma was freezing, but said it was nice to see Half Moon Bay, as she has never been there before.
Here is a picture from last Tuesday's practice where the team did hill repeats. It was a bit hot out and Axel said they had to cut the workout short to prevent overheating.
A couple of weeks ago he was in Nisene Marks with his team (on my birthday to be exact). Here is a great picture his coach sent. It looks absolutely beautiful.
You might be able to tell, Axel is loving the track/cross country club he has been training with this summer. He also loved having Gma over and said how similar they are in their cooking methods and how they like their food. I just love how well Axel gets along with everyone. It doesn't matter if you are an adult, child or classmate, Axel finds a way to connect and get along with nearly everyone.
Now, back to Age Group Champs. We went over the Golden Gate Bridge on the way to Santa Rosa. Phoenix took several videos. Here is one of them.
We arrived in time to get a prime tent spot and to have the kids to a pre- race warm up while I check into our Air B&B at 3pm. It was a half a mile away and very conveniently located for us. The kids were in bed nice and early we were up and back at the meet by 7:15 am on Friday morning.
Friday was a big day for Rubix. He had the 200 IM, 100 back and 400 free. Phoenix decided to just do the 200 IM and the 400 Free. With Long Course, there are only 8 spots for finals. We made sure to tell the kids there was no guarantee to make finals and that they had to try their best in prelims. That is exactly what they did. Phoenix started out the day with a nice 2 second drop in the 200 IM finishing 6th overall and making it into finals. Phoenix was pretty tired in finals and ended up 8th overall with a small add.
Rubix also had a nice drop in his 200 IM and was seeded 3rd going into finals. He was also pretty tired from the extremely long day and ended up 5th overall in finals with a small add as well.
His 100 back he managed to finish 2nd in finals and get a personal best in prelims.
Phoenix had a killer 400 free finishing 3rd in prelims and 4th in finals. She did a personal best time in prelims.
Rubix some how managed to drop in finals for the 400 free, after having slight adds in finals for his other two events. He finished 4th overall. Rubix 400 Free
They had a nice flag up on the screen for the National Anthem before finals.
Rubix then managed to swim in the 200 Free relay and his team managed a first place finish.
Rubix basically swam event after event from warm ups at 7:30 am until his relay at 7:30pm. His 400 free prelim was at 2:30pm and warm ups started at 3pm with finals at 4pm. I was incredibly impressed with his ability to focus all day long. It was also pretty warm on Friday, even at 7pm at night, as you can see from the photo of the relay teams above.
Saturday was an even earlier start of 7 am. It was in the 50's in the morning and a striking difference from the day before. The kids had to bundle up.
Phoenix had the 200 Free to start. This was an event I wasn't sure she was going to make finals and she came out and crushed it dropping more than 3 seconds and finishing 4th! in prelims.
She was tired for finals after her 800 free at 1pm, but she managed a 7th place finish for the 200 free in finals. Her 800 free was also a killer race for her. She won her heat against mostly 13 and 14 year olds, and dropped more than 25 seconds earning herself the AAAA time cut and 3rd place. She was beyond excited!
Rubix also had a great 200 free grabbing a personal best in prelims and finishing 4th overall in finals.
Rubix also swam the 50 fly and 50 back on Saturday. He finished 3rd in finals for both races.
Rubix 50 fly
Rubix's medley relay was on Saturday night and they squeaked out another 1st place finish just before 8pm!
He was in bed and asleep by 9 pm just to get up at 6:45 am the next day! He was such a trooper!
Sunday Phoenix had the 200 back and the 400 IM. Phoenix crushed the 200 back in both prelims and finals dropping in both races. She has been stalled in the back strokes, so this was a big deal to drop a few seconds. She ended up 3rd overall in finals in both the 200 back and 400 IM. You can see her trying extremely hard in these races all the way to the end. This is a big step for Phoenix to not give up and fight to get to the wall! I was so proud of her effort and her great attitude all weekend.
Phoenix 200 back, Phoenix 400 IM
Rubix only had the 100 fly on the last day. He had a huge drop in prelims and a small add in finals. He was really bummed being seeded 2nd going into to finals and then ending up 5th overall. The other boys came out racing with huge drops themselves! I was so proud of how he handled himself all weekend as well. He seems to be maturing as well.
Rubix 100 fly
Here is a picture I was able to capture on the last day of Rubix, Phoenix and Keith during the National Anthem before finals.
I also managed to snap a photo of Keith who graciously worked all 6 sessions as an official. We are so grateful for all of his time and dedication to help the kids achieve their goals both in and out of the water.
Rubix with his medals.
We left the swim meet just before 7:30pm and got home around 9:20pm. We went over another bridge from 580. Here are P's photos. It was actually quite beautiful with the sun set in the background.
Axel is now done with his AP Bio class and the kids no longer have any summer classes. Keith has been working with the younger two doing math every day and helping all of the kids to help out around the house. Phoenix has been filling her time doing art work, Rubix is actually playing with toys and Axel appears to be around and hanging out with everyone more, which has been quite the treat. Phoenix has a short swim meet on Saturday to do a few short sprint events. She will try to drop time in the 100 and 50 free, along with the 50 fly and breast, which she hasn't swam for more than 2 years! I will post again in mid August after Far Westerns and Western Zones. We will have some quality time with family as well since we will be near Sacramento!
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