Tuesday was a day of excitement at Olympic Trials

Today was a day filled with excitement. The weather here is getting warmer. Today it was in the 80's, but in the Quest Center there were fireworks going off tonight as we saw more world records being broken at finals. Here is an amazing fact that happened. We had a world record broken yesterday in the prelims of the women's 100 backstroke, then Natalie Coughlin came back in the next heat and re-broke the world record. We got through semi-finals (at this meet in all events 200 and less you must go through semi-finals after prelims before you get to finals). Tonight at finals......the athlete that originally broke the world record yesterday (Hayley McGregory from Texas) did not event make the Top 2, which means she missed the Olympic team. This same swimmer got 3rd place in Long Beach in 2004 as well. That is how fast this meet is moving.....break a world record, and the next day, not even make the US Team going to Beijing.

On the other end, you have athletes making the team that in 2004, did not even make the 2004 Trials. Tricia's teammate (Christine) did not even swim the 100 fly in 2004 as she did not qualify for the 2004 trials, and now 4 years later she won gold at trials and secured a spot on Team USA. It really shows you what 4 years of hard work can do. At this meet there are so many emotions that are running through the minds of every athlete. Not only athletes but coaches. I had the opportunity to ride the elevator with a coach who is on the 2008 Olympic Coaching staff, and he said to me "No matter how many world records, or gold medals your athletes win, as a coach, you will always get nervous at Olympic Trials."

As far as WSY swimmers, Leah swam a great 200 free today. She went 2:01 and almost equaled her tome from US Nationals last Summer. She took her race out much faster (she was 58 at the 100 mark), which showed a good amount of confidence as she moves into her remaining two events (200 fly and 800 free). Joe swam his lifetime best time (by 3 seconds) in the 400 freestyle. Joe had not made the qualifying time for this meet in the 400 (q time was 3:59.99), and Joe's best was 4:02. We wanted to time trial an event to see where we are in the preparation process for his mile on Saturday AM. Joe went 3:59, and looked real strong, especially his turns, which sets him up for a great mile on Saturday. So today was a big success for us.

Tonight at finals, not only did we see a great amount of fast swimming, I was sitting in the athlete section, and right beside me sat Mike Golic (interview) from Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN. Mike was a great football player from Notre Dame, and a few Pro teams including the Eagles. I listen to his show every AM, and it was great to talk with him. His daughter swims (she has sectional cuts and does very well) for a team in Connecticut), so that was fun for me to meet him. Coach Alyson has a great story about her elevator ride with Brendon Hansen (his room is right beside hers) and how he walked her to the room......you will have to get the entire story from her. I can only imagine that as I am typing this that Coach Alyson is waiting in the lobby for Brendon to come to the hotel, so she can have her elevator ride. As for my roomate Coach Tim Verge (Head Coach at Shippensburg University), he is doing his job every day which is to go to the Starbucks and have me a large cup of coffee by 7:20am. (Don't worry Coach Kim.......I will not be asking this of you)

So we continue to swim well at the 2008 USA Olympic Team Trials. I continue to think what WSY swimmers will be at the 2012 Olympic Trials to prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Four years will be here before we know it. Will you be preparing??

Leah has the 200 fly on Wednesday, so I will write again after she swims. Good Luck to Coach Derrick and Gillian and the WSY/NYAC 10 & unders as they represent our team at the CV Hot Heats meet at CV high School. 2-4-6-8 WSY