Leah and Kiersten at Y State

Where to begin?!?! The weekend didn’t go the way we planned. She had high hopes for this meet, she qualified for 6 individual races…but then the fever hit, and then the cough and she didn’t get out of bed for most of the week. But you have to play the hand you’re dealt. And I’m beyond proud of Leah for not quitting. She said the 200’s almost killed her, but she survived. She dropped in the 200IM, we’ll take the win. She was seeded 10th in her backstroke, and finished the weekend on the podium. 

Kiersten worked her tail off to qualify for 3 13/14 races having aged up the week before YMCA State Championship. She had a great drop in her 100 breast and in her 200 IM after just dropping in those races two weeks ago.

The highlight was watching these swimming sisters in the relays together. They are quite the duo! Their medley relay took 8th in the state and their freestyle relay took 7th. We’re so proud of them. On to long course season!! 

Hattie at Y State

That’s a wrap for Miss Hattie’s short course season. And she went out with a bang at the Illinois YMCA State Championship. She started the meet with a great time drop, almost 8 seconds in her 200 free and took 12th place. Followed it up with a stellar medley relay. She was probably most excited to finally be swimming with her bestie Bella again. Bella was out for almost two months with a broken arm and they crushed it in the relay. I was most excited that Hattie swam her best 50 fly time and Bella anchored the relay. They were seeded #6 and took 4th. Today she started the meet with almost a second drop in her individual medley. And then her freestyle relay went fast taking home 3rd. So proud of these little gator girls and their efforts this year. 

Teenage Bug!

 No longer a baby, today our middle turns 13! She got converse, clothes and cash for her birthday…and a sushi squishmallow from her sisters. She’s a bit fiery, just like her mild ginger locks. She knows what she wants and never settles. She’s as type A as they come…but she’s also kind. She loves big and once she’s on your side you’ve got a friend for life. I don’t know how we got here so fast, but I’m ready to see her take on the teenage years and grow into an even more amazing young lady.  Cheers to lucky #13, my little love bug, our sweet Kiersten Laura.  

Gator Girls

Was it a great weekend of swim?…Yes it was! Did the girls have a lot of great time drops?…Yes, they did! Are we beyond exhausted?…also, Yes. But what an exciting weekend at the pool. 

Leah and Kiersten dropped in almost all of their races. Kiersten dropped 17 seconds in the 200 free to take 1st out of no where. Oh how I wish I had recorded that race. Leah dropped on her 100 back (two weeks in a row) to take the top honors. She also dropped on her 50 free to get the state cut she wanted so badly, and then dropped on it again later that afternoon when she was the starting leg of the relay.

The Gators took home a lot of accolades. The girls overall took 2nd place. The 13/14 year old girls took home 3rd! Keep grinding, girls…one more meet to go!! 

Hattie at Districts

Hattie shined her light bright this weekend at YMCA District Championship! She had same fantastic time drops today and had 4 podium finishes. Next up YMCA State Championships! As much as I love to see her swim, I love watching her be an encouraging teammate and cheerleader for her friends even more. Well done, kiddo! Next up, Y state.