Swim Meet

Rachel had her first real swim meet this past Thursday. She swam in 4 events: (1) the 100m individual medley, (2) the 25m freestyle, (3) the 25m butterfly, and (4) the 100m medley relay. The team we competed against was a small team, and actually didn't have anyone competing in the girls 8 and under division, so Rachel was just competing against her teammates. In the 100m individual medley, she was actually the only one! When she saw that she said "Well, I guess I'll win 1st place unless I get disqualified!" There are several judges who walk around the pool and watch the competitors to make sure they are doing the strokes correctly. One little mistake and you get disqualified. We won't know the results until Monday's practice, but Robert & I think Rachel got disqualified in the 100m individual medley. We're not sure why, because we didn't see her do anything wrong, but we saw one of the judges raise her hand, which usually means a DQ. Regardless, Rachel did awesome!!! She did very well swimming all 4 strokes and did them well. And if you haven't tried to swim 100m, it's not as easy as it looks!!!

In the 25m freestyle, there were 3 heats but we think Rachel may have come in 2nd. In the 25m butterfly, we think she got 2nd or 3rd. In the 100m medley relay, it was just Rachel's team competing, so unless they got DQ'd I guess they won 1st place! It was funny because they combined several events when there were just one or two swimmers. So when Rachel and her team of 8 and under girls were swimming their medley relay, there were also 2 teams of 9 and 10 year old boys swimming their medley relay. Rachel swam the freestyle leg of the relay, which is the last leg. She and one of the boys were neck-in-neck coming to the end. Rachel says that she beat him, but we're not sure! It's not like she was really competing against the boys, but I guess it's a pride thing! Guess she gets that competitive gene from me and Robert both!!!

I guess we'll find out for sure the results of the meet at Monday's practice, but Rachel did GREAT for her first official swim meet! Since she's 7 swimming in the 8 and under division, she is competing against lots of 8 year olds. She has really done well and loves it!

Rachel waiting to be called for the 100m individual medley

Rachel getting ready for the 25m freestyle (she's the 3rd one from the left looking down at her arm)

Rachel swimming the freestyle