First Swim Meet!

Tonight was the first home swim meet for the Saint Peter Saints vs. the New Prague Trojans. Sarah didn't get to find out what events she was swimming in until she arrived for the meet. She swam a beautiful breaststroke in the 200 Medley Relay and was the anchor on her relay team for the 200 Free Style Relay. I can't tell you what her time was on her laps because we didn't know enough to write those things down! Next meet we'll have a better lay of the land, as the saying goes.

The 53 girls came out of their locker room doing their team cheers and did a few more together on the swim deck. Some of them are modified versions of ones you might hear at summer camps across America. It was great to see that, throughout the meet, the girls were supportive of one another and also the swimmers on the opposing team, and always a little louder for any swimmer who was struggling in last place.

Jonathan and I enjoyed sitting with the parents of Sarah's friends and cheering for all of the girls. A few parents commented that Sarah's free style stroke was very smooth. Ahh, I'm bursting with pride. But actually, I'm more proud of the confidence and poise Sarah is gaining, and the opportunity to share in the sisterhood of this swim team. I even felt a little misty - briefly - as Sarah jettisoned from the starting block. Perhaps it's because I'm seeing her do something I've never even tried, and do it well. But I think it's also that she is now of an age that she is starting to choose what she wants to do and who she wants to become with less input from us. She's always been independent. Maybe we just thought we had more input before!

SO, enjoy these pictures from the meet.
M.

Left to right: Sarah swimming the breaststroke; ditto; Cassi, Beth, and Sarah pose for a pic at "halftime;" the girls in their pre-meet cheers; 3 photos of Sarah's start for her leg of the free style.