Swim Season First

Today was a day unlike any other for us in our world of swimming. We have missed the swim team in Auburn like one would miss a dear friend. The organization was run so efficiently and the coaching staff was superb. Not to mention the facilities of nearly all the Y's we swam against in Central New York. Top notch compared to what we've seen so far down here in Southeast Texas. We're not complaining, well not too much, but needless to say it's been a rather large adjustment. It has been nearly a year and a half since Max and Ben swam competitively and we thought they'd be a little rusty. They started three weeks ago swimming 4 nights a week for an hour and a half. We decided to debut another Keffer as well. Mark Thomas joined the ranks this year and is loving it! Our new coaches here are great too!

Well today we had our first meet of the season. Outside! Although that's not unusual down here, we practice outside and all the teams compete outside. It's just new to us. Not sure there's too much of an adjustment though, the heat of Texas or the heat of an indoor pool with nearly 100 people packed in bleachers. But one thing was new to us...RAIN! The boys swam in pouring rain, no lightening, so the meet proceeded to chug right along. It didn't rain the whole time, just off and on. Finally the last heat was completed and just as the swimmers exited the water, a torrential down pour occurred. We all waited under what they call Easy Up Tents and then the boys decided to make a run for it! We got soaked and Max thought I looked particularly funny once we got in the car. Ben jumped to defend me from the back seat saying, "Mom, I think you like fine." Thanks Ben.

Max gave everyone a run for their money. Our club is always the most competitive and we won today's meet by more than 300 points! But Max quickly established himself as the new kid to beat. He started off in the 100 IM taking first overall and brought some whispers to the crowd. Being the proud mom, I just beamed inside. He then went on to swim the 50 FREE, they don't do 100s or 200s until they're 13 or older. Can you believe that, Jake?! Well they put Max in a heat with two other swimmers and he came in first without doing a flip turn, don't ask me why he didn't do that. The next heat the announcer said this is the heat to watch, it's a group of swimmers you'll want to see. Well, Max beat all their times and took first overall in the 50 FREE by over 3 seconds! He also came in first in the 50 Breastroke! I know enough, enough. Sorry, but we were all so proud of him.

Now onto the other boys. Ben and Mark Thomas are also fast Freestylers. The coach of the older kids saw MT swim for the first time and she said, "I cannot believe how fast and how good he looks for never having competed before. He's great!" Both he and Ben put those heads down and go to work, some of the older kids don't breathe as well as they do. Ben swam 23 seconds in the 25 Free and got 3rd in his heat in the backstroke. Mark Thomas came in 1st in his heat in the Free and 1st in his heat for the backstroke. They're all anxious to get their ribbons on Monday.

We're off to a great start and they're loving the sport again. It's not the same as swimming with the Stingrays but we'll make do. Keeping a love for a sport alive that was born and cultivated in Central NY!