2009 National Championship Meet - Gainesville, Fla.

The National meet started for us, very early June 25th. We all met at the airport at 4:30am. We said good bye to the parents who weren't going with us, and our flight left at 6:25.

Waiting at the gate:

Friday the girls were in the pool at the hotel and then had practice at the "Gator Pool"in the evening. As soon as we got there, we could tell this was a different meet. The air of competition was much more intense than a regular meet. It was also a lot louder! This was the first time this team swam in an indoor pool, and on top of that, there were 30 other teams there! There were more than 30 represented in the 11/12 age group, some may have had a solo or trio there, but not a team routine.

Saturday morning were solos and duets. Marissa made finals, and we were all happy for her. The team competition was in the afternoon. Santa Clara had the first draw and they swam beautifully. The first 16 teams swam, and then there was a 30 minute break. I used that opportunity to go out side and cool off!! It was so hot and humid in the pool, that being outside in Florida, in June, no less, was a relief! The girls were #20, and by then we knew they needed at least a 61 and maybe a 62 to get to finals. The girls had a very good swim....

We were all a little nervous, but we knew they had a great shot at a good score.

The girls waiting for their score:

Nationals Part 2

When the board lit up, so did the Aqua Star parents! We were jumping up and down and yelling. We knew they were going to finals, and at that they were in 4th place!

Coach Shannon and Coach Jessica walking behind the score board:



After the semi-final round, the top 10 teams get to do figures. Then they combine the swim score and the figure scores, and the top 8 teams compete in finals. The two teams in 9th and 10th place pre-swim at finals. That gives the judges two teams to score without it counting, so to speak.

Maddy getting ready for figures:

Sunday, the trio swam in semi-finals, and they made it to finals too! Sunday afternoon the girls had figures and after figures, they were still in 4th place.




11/12 finals were Monday night. The evening starts with the Parade of Athletes. We all had a special treat that night, the National Team was there, and they swam their Technical routine, a duet, a solo, and their Free Routine. In the photo, you can see the girls walking right by the National Team:


Once all the girls were standing around the pool, one of the athletes sang the National Anthem.
Here they were turned around and facing us as we were jumping up and down waving and taking pictures. Built in photo op. I don't know how it happened, but our girls ended up stopping right in front of us. You'd think it was planned.





The Team Routines swam last, as is typical. The girls were very tired. They didn't swim until after 8pm, after having been at the pool all day.

Just before team competition, and just after the National Team swam their Free Routine:

I didn't take pictures this time. In order to take pictures we had to be on the top behind the bleachers, and I wanted to be close to just watch the routine and cheer them on. They swam well again, and to no one's surprise, they came in fourth again. They came in behind Santa Clara (of course), Walnut Creek, and Riverside. A very good showing for this little Arizona team! All the parents were very proud of the girls, and I think the girls were happy with themselves too.

Nationals Part 3

Getting their 4th Place ribbons:

They are just to the left of 2nd place platform:

At Olive Garden after Finals:

Over all, it was a great experience for the girls. I don't think they expected it to be as exhausting as it was, though. I also think this has been a great year for Victoria. she really had to learn how to push herself to get everything done, and to push her self physically. Not easy for an 11 year old. I think what she has learned this year in synchro will help her as she takes on challenges in the rest of her life. even if she "hangs up her nose clip" this summer, I think I will feel that it was worth it for her.

I also want to say thank you (big - big) to all of you who have been so supportive this year. You've bought jewelry, candles, raffle tickets, and brought your kids to laser tag. Some of you came and cheered at the Water show, and some of you have been to meets and cheered the team on. I want you to know that all of you have helped in a big way to make this year possible for Victoria. It means a lot to Randy and me. Thank you :)

Grand Canyon State Games!

GCSG were this last week end (6/19-6/20), and the girls did great! This was Chloe's very first meet!

Getting ready:

She was not part of a routine, but she did figures. It's kind of cute, she's so little, and she does them so fast! If you blink, you miss her figure! I tried to get a picture, but this was the best I got:



While this was Chloe's first meet, this was M. & V.'s last meet in the suits that Pam, Susan and I "blinged"




The girls did very well. chloe took 5th in 10 & under figures, and Victoria took 7th in 11/12's.


The team came in 2nd, and the duet came in 5th. Over all, a good meet for the girls. Now, on to Gainesville!! Florida, here come the Aqua Stars!!

Aqua Stars on Fox 10

Here's a clip of the coverage that was on the Fox 10 morning show.

Wow! Clean Sweep part two!

I'm so behind updating this blog! I've just been swamped with stuff going on, but now, here it is:

The Region D Championship Meet was Friday and Saturday (5/15 & 16) at Carson Pool. The girls were very excited. Their parents were over heated. We found some shade, and watched the show. Figures were Friday night, and all the girls did well.

Saturday evening was the team competition. Our girls swam third. The Dolphins were second, and swam their hearts out. Their routine was much better than at State. They announced their composite score and it was a 61! Our girls heard that and got a bit nervous. They were next.



On deck, waiting to jump in:




Our girls swam, and they were great!
The first lift was very high, and looked good!



One of the ripples:

(the girls are turning around at different times in synch to the music)



We were all just a little nervous waiting for their score, since they had never gotten up to a 60, but they got a 62.125!!!!! Even as "Proud Mom" I couldn't believe that score! Then, Tucson Synchro swam their "Chihuahua" routine, and it was also better than at state! We knew they had a lot of ground to cover, and didn't know if they could do it. Turns out, they couldn't. Their score was a 60. That put them in third, the Dolphins in second and our girls in First!!!

We knew at that point it would "come down to figures" as it always does, but knew with that kind of a lead they would probably still come in first. They did. In fact, all the Aqua Star teams came in first place. Just like state. A second clean sweep!


The girls with their gold medals!:

All the small routines that made it to Regionals are going to Nationals as well.
The 11/12 trio getting their gold medals:


Over all, it really was a great meet. Next, the Grand Canyon State Games, and then Nationals!!

School projects

We've been really busy lately! along with everything else going on, we've had to fit in time for school projects. the kitchen table has looked more like an arts & crafts studio than a place to eat! V.'s castle and C.'s butterfly were both due today, and I'm really grateful we only have three more weeks left of school. with our luck they'll each have another project to do before it's over!