Reports of WSY National Team at USA Nationals in Indianapolis Indiana written by Coach Mike

Sunday, August 5, 2007 (8pm) - Joe, Leah were dropped off at the airport, and Tricia is driving back to Knoxville to begin the Fall semester, so now Kevin and I switched hotels (2 weeks in one hotel is way too much), and now it is Kevin's turn to shine when the USA Junior Nationals begin on Monday.  During the last week we saw some very fast swimming from WSY swimmers in College Park Maryland, and here in Indianapolis.  We also saw some amazing performances from many American swimmers with last than 11 months until the USA Swimming Team Trials in Omaha which will be used to pick the USA Olympic Team.  One of my favorite stories is Dara Torres who is now 40 years of age, and will be 41 when the Olympics come around.  Dara is swimming times at 40 that are faster than when she was 14.  She is the fastest American, and the 3rd fastest athlete in the world in the 50 freestyle.  She broke her own American record last evening that has stood for 7 years (video).  On the awards stand she held her daughter (video).  Here is one of Dara's quotes "To stand up and race against all these young girls is a lot of fun. I'm having as much fun at 40 as I was when I was 14. Even before I started swimming fast at meets I had been having so much fun with my teammates and training with my team.  It's an incredible feeling. For me, it's an honor to be out here swimming with all these young kids and suiting up and racing against them. It's a lot of fun. I'm having as much fun as I did when I was 14 now that I'm 40."   Here is an athlete that is swimming to have fun.  Sure she is 40 years of age, but she is swimming fast by having fun.  I think there are a few important lessons here:  Having fun is important, and you can swim fast no matter what age so long as you work hard. 

Leah had another lifetime best time in the 200 IM going 2:16.88, (video)which means she had a lifetime best time in every event she swam this week.  Overall Leah finished in 7th place in total points.  Not to be outdone, Joe had his lifetime best time in his 800 free placing 12th, and Joe had a lifetime best time in every one of his events as well.  As a team, WSY placed 14th (tied with the Penn State University team).  As I mentioned above, it has been a great week, and every WSY athlete should be proud of your accomplishments.  We have a few weeks break, and then it is back in the pool to prepare for the meets in March/April of 2008, plus our teams representation at the USA Olympic Team Trials in June.  Thanks to everyone for following, and we will see you on the pool deck........as we move forward

Friday, August 3, 2007 (1pm) - Sorry for not reporting last evening.  We have been seeing some very fast times at both Y Nationals and here in Indianapolis.  Today we saw Joe "time trial" his 400 free as he felt with a bit of a stroke change he might go faster that he did yesterday.  Indeed he did, going 4:02, and his stroke looked a bit better.  Leah had a great prelims in the 200 free, going a lifetime best time of 2:01.50, now we had to figure out a way to make some mental changes so that we can go faster in finals.  Leah looked great in finals of the 200 free going 2:01.16.  (video of Leah's 200 free at finals).  Both Tricia and Leah had a great prelim swim in the 100 backstroke as well.  We had the closest world record chase tonight with Michael Phelps in the 100 backstroke (here is the video).  The meet finishes on Saturday with Joe swimming the 600 free, and Leah swimming the 200 IM.  Women Team Scores through Friday are here, Men's team scores are here, and combined team scores are here.  Congratulations to all of the swimmers at Y Nationals who had a Top 10 finish, and a great time at their team dinner this evening at Dave and Busters.

Thursday, August 2, 2007 (1pm) - We had a great prelim session today.  Joe had one of his better 400 free times (his 200 split was also his lifetime best) going 4:03.44, although he did not make an evening swim, he was very pleased with his time.  Leah rebounded very nicely from her 400 IM in last evenings final.  Leah's lifetime best in the 400 free was 4:12, although it had been about 2 years since we have seen that time, so she was eager to go sub 4:12 in the morning heats.  Leah was beside Katie Hoff (a position she had in previous meets), so she knew she had to get out fast.  In the end, she is going into tonight's final seated 3rd (behind 2 world record holders) with a time of 4:11.77.  Tricia had a great time trial in the 200 freestyle with a lifetime best time of 2:05, which is great and a good bit a confidence for Tricia going into her 100 backstroke tomorrow. Hopefully you are watching the live web cast every evening beginning at 6pm.  We will continue to upload video of WSY swimmers at finals plus other great races......

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 (11pm) - Tonight's final was filled with a good amount of excitement.  Leah swam in the A final, and swam well (video), but I think she will tell you she would like to have that race back, and swim it again (results).  Tomorrow is a new day, and both Leah and Joe have the 400 free, which looks to be a very competitive event.  There were a few other exciting events this evening as well.  The event that got a standing ovation was the women's 100 free.  40 year old mother Dara Torres (member of 4 Olympic teams, and attempting her 5th) won the 100 free with the 7th fastest time in the world this year (results).  The crowd went wild when she won.  She will be 41 years young next year should she qualify for Beijing.  Here is the video.  The next big event was Michael Phelps almost setting a world record in the 200 backstroke (results).  After the first 100, Michael took off, but got a bit tired after the 150, and missed the world mark by a few tenths.  Here is the video.  Some of the fun we have here in Indianapolis is the instant communication (text/email) we have with the WSY athletes in Maryland.  The swimmers in Maryland are having an incredible meet, and I know that all of the hard work over the Summer is paying off.  We have all talked (both here in Indy, and in Maryland) that we need to use these efforts as a springboard into the Fall and Winter.  Tomorrow (Thursday) is yet another big day for WSY swimmers, bother here in Indy, and in Maryland.  Thanks to everyone for following.  I have had several emails saying that you are watching the live web cast, plus we continue to enjoy all of the emails from current and WSY Alum.  More tomorrow.......

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 - Today we had another great day.  Before I go further, I had some emails asking about video.  Here is the final 500 of Joe's mile, here is Leah's 800 free and here is Leah's 200 fly.  Although he did not break the world record, here is Brendan Hanson's 200 breastroke.  Today's action started to heat up in all of the events.  There is some concern about the air quality in the pool here.  (News article)  The natatorium is on the cool side, but the air does get a bit heavy, and the swimmers have been complaining of consistent sore throats at night.  So far Joe, Leah, Tricia, and Kevin have not had too much of a problem.  There will be some great swims tonight, including the match-up of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the 200 backstroke, and listening to the talk on the deck, these guys will be pushing the world record.....in this same race, look for Penn State swimmer (and former YMCA National champion Pat Schirck).  Leah and Tricia both swam the 200 backstroke today, and swam very well (results).  Leah had a double today, swimming the 400 IM, not only swimming a lifetime best time, but making the Top 8 (results).  World Record holder Katie Hoff is not in the event, so look for a close race from all 8 athletes.  Remember the entire finals session is being webcast (live) beginning at 6pm. (Here is the link)

Tuesday, July 31 (10pm) - What a great finals session.  (Joe on the awards stand//Leah on the awards stand)  The stands were s bit more full this evening as everyone in the Indianapolis wanted to see some fast swimming.  Joe started the afternoon/evening off with his lifetime best in the metric mile (1500).  Going into the meet, Joe's best time was 15:36, and tonight Joe popped out a 15:31 to place 7th overall (results).  What a great way to start the evening.  Leah was up next in the 200 back.  Leah already improved her time in the AM heats, and tonight she went a bit faster going 2:13.35, placing 11th (results).  We knew Leah would have about 40 minutes until the 800 free.  Not missing a beat, Leah was up and ready for the 800.  Leah knew going into the race that World Record Holders Katie Hoff (400 IM) and Kate Zeigler (1500 free) would battle it out to attempt a world record in this event.  Leah was in a very tough position, and never really had anyone to race so she settled into the 3rd place position (after Kate and Katie), and ended up improving her time to 8:36.97 (results), which is the 23rd fastest time in the world this year. So the first day we had 3 swims, and 3 lifetime best times.  A great way to start the meet.  Tomorrow Leah has the 400 IM, and 200 back, and Tricia has the 200 Back, Joe has the day off.  After day one the Point totals have Leah in first place for High Points. More in the AM

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - Today started off great!!!  We had a great wake up swim, and Joe, and Leah said they felt great in the water.  The pool was a bit more crowded today, and everyone showed up to race.  The first heat of the girls 200 fly was in the water, and yes it happened.......the natatorium lost all power......everything went out.....almost time for coaches to use "coach watches" for the times.  Never fear....at this level there are generators that kicked in, and there was only a 3 minute break and the next heat was in the water.  Lesson to athletes "plan for anything....you need to be prepared for anything to happen".  Leah was up to swim her 200 fly.  She was out fast (from Lane 1), and she ended up going 2:13 (her best time), and getting 9th in the prelim heats.  To let you know how fast this meet will be this year, the top 34 swimmers in this event had Olympic trial cuts.  You could have made a trials cut and not make it back for a night swim.  If this event is any indication of how fast USA is swimming, the rest of the world better watch out as we move closer to Beijing next year.  Joe Kinderwater will swim his mile about 3:30pm, and then Leah will swim the 200 fly tonight at finals as well as doubling up and swimming in the final heat of the 800 free.  Just as we were leaving the pool, we got word from Coach Kristin that there were some very fast times from the WSY kids at Y Nationals.  WSY is swimming very fast on the east coast and in the middle of the country.  Keep in mind, there is a LIVE webcast of tonight's finals, beginning at 6pm.  Click here for the live feed.......more after finals tonight!!

 

3pm - Well we arrived here in Indianapolis, and poor Joe.....they lost his luggage.  The airlines said it would be delivered to the hotel later this evening.  Joe was prepared, in his carry on luggage, he has a suit and goggles, and all of his swimming gear, so we are ready to go to the pool and workout.  We also talked with Coach Scott and Coach Kristin in Maryland, and the team arrived earlier than expected, so the team went to the pool for a good workout, prior to the check in. 

9pm - We had our first workout in the pool, Joe, Kevin and Leah said they felt good.  The natatorium is very large.  This place has a good amount of history.  There has been 4 Olympic Teams picked at this pool, and when it was build 25 years ago, it was well ahead of its time.  Here is a great article in the local paper about the history.  Monday is another workout day, so we are ready for the first days events on Tuesday.  Hopefully Joe's luggage will be here in the AM.....otherwise we will have to go through the lost and found to find him some cloths....more in the AM

 

Sunday, July 29, 2007  

Joe, Leah, Kevin and I will be departing early today for our trip to Indianapolis.  Tricia will be flying directly from University of Tennessee where she has been training over the Summer.  We will take some time today to get to the pool, and workout as well as getting adjusted.  Today their is also a big NASCAR event here in the city, so things are crazy.  There is also a big tennis event here as well.  The one thing I remember about this city, is they love their sports.  The meet looks to be very fast, and we expect some fast swimming from WSY swimmers.  We will do our best to keep everyone updated with pictures and video.  At the same time, we are keeping informed of everyone at Y Nationals, where Coach scott and Kristin and guiding the WSY athletes to some fast swims.....more later