Some background: the state qualifying includes either
A.) Obtaining the qualifying time standard (which they make these fast enough that only a handful make- state is limited to 24 athletes per event per division.
B.) Placing first or second at districts.
C.) Now they will take the top seeds AFTER districts if both A/B don't fill that 24 athletes per event- which is the "wildcard" taken from state (this is how I took my FIRST ever state relay my second year as head coach)
SAM: on having a confidence in goals
One of my Kennewick HS Swimmers came up to me last year at the start of the season and told me she wanted to qualify for state. With a calm confidence in her voice, Sam read to me the state cuts she was aiming for, and we discussed goal splits and improvements we could make from the last season to get her there.
SO having this bold of a statement from my "non-swimmer" (doesn't swim year around- only 3 months out of the year) I witnessed a refreshing set of confidence.
State last year with the girls.
I stole this from the Kennewick Head Coach, Micah and this year's district team. Phenomenal.
Last night I watched Sam qualify for State in not only the 50 Free, but 100 Free and take home the District Champion title.
Although a bit of me was sad that I couldn't have been a part of her process getting her to this level of competition this year, I am reminded that my job has been done. This girl was behind the blocks with an amazing set of confidence that she had prepared herself for. She swam herself among the year round swimmers, to win the 50 Free and respectfully place 2nd in the 100.
I so knew she could.
BLAIR- HAILEY-ALEXIS: on overcoming fear of competition
The Murphy family will always be a big part of my swim coaching career. Hailey, the spunky freshman swimmer I coached my first year, could not be more different than the quiet, reserved coach that I am. She would be behind the blocks with this loud, colorful personality ready to RACE.
The Murphy girls, and their father Sean (who I get to coach in my masters)
So forward 3 years, and I hear that the two younger TWIN sisters are joining the Kennewick squad- I am fully prepared for the season to be a whirlwind of....well energy.
What I loved about Hailey was her confidence behind the blocks. All you had to say to that girl before her race was- "Girl, you go do your thing. Go play your card," and she would race to no end- she DID NOT like to lose.
So upon nearing our first swim meet with my freshman twins, I was relieved to find out that the Alexis seemed to follow in her big sisters footsteps. She got behind the blocks with the confidence of a seasoned senior, and in that little freshman swim cap- she tore the pool up. There was so surprise upon getting her state cut, which she told me was happening, no question.
Blair, on the other hand, was a girl of my own heart. With a blank (almost worried) look on her face before races she took me straight back to my HS swimming career (which included A LOT of tear filled goggles).
The twins and I
On the verge of tears, she would dive in, swim her race (which knowing her potential was...well...a practice swim) and come over to the coaches table absolutely defeated. You see, this girl trained as fast as her sisters, had PHENOMENAL times in practice (best times even), absolutely BEAUTIFUL technique, but would get behind the blocks terrified. She gave up before it even started.
Watching Blair swim her races last night you wouldn't have recognized that athlete. She was behind the blocks with that same blank look, but even from the stands you could sense a different demeanor. She was there to get her state qualifying- and DAMN watching her come back the last 35 yards of her 200 IM was absolutely inspiring. She was about 2 body lengths behind after the breaststroke and absolutely did not give up. This was a new Blair.
She not only qualified for state in TWO relays, but RACED her way into State in two individual events by getting second in the 200 IM and 500 Free (two of the hardest HS races you can have).
Actually my favorite quote from the weekend-
"Hey Alexis, what's the district record in the 100 Breaststroke?" -Me
"I don't know, lets look." -Alexis
"Alright 1:05:50. Get it girl." -Me
"Alright, well now I have to." -Alexis
Those girls.
RACHEL: on flat out hard work
I would love to see rachel's attendance record for the the months leading out of the LCM summer season. I am pretty confident it would be 115% of practices made.
I say this because she was one to be swimming the Monday after her last big swim meet- (the first day of her 3 week "summer break")- and asked if I could write her out dry land practices to be done on her own. What's funny is she is missing dry land practices because after swimming with the club team for two hours, she rushes over to her high school practice to swim with them for an additional hour to hour and a half EVERY DAY. Oh, and this doesn't mention getting home between 7:30-8:00pm and fitting in homework, dinner, dry land, and a social life (?). (I know how hard it was KAHS was that 5:30-7:30pm practice time all four years I swam for them......)
Let's just say this girl trains hard.
One of our dry land sessions last year
Another of our dry land sessions.
Rachel was another girl had some racing to get done at Districts to move on to State- and we were all biting our nails in the stands. Rachels confidence held behind her training. No one had put in those hours- watching her swim her 100 fly (and place 2nd) a huge relief came off everyones shoulders. She earned that- and not only that- but she raced hard (with a BEAUTIFUL 3rd turn/underwaters) to defend her district 100 Backstroke title.
SO EARNED.
ALYSSA: on not fearing the unknown....or anything at all
Alyssa is not your typical HS girl. I had the privilege of taking this girl to Senior Sectionals last spring (as a little 14 year old).
I distinctly remember my first Senior Sectionals. I was scared shitless. That swim meet is competitive. It is intimidating. I thank my big sister Cassie Hamilton for helping me deal with my nerves before every single race (which I got to do with my little sister Natilee just a few years later).
Natilee and I now. Still my little sister haha.
So taking this girl to the meet as a lone swimmer, I was a little nervous how all the nerves would play out.
After warning the girl to be aggressive in warmup and don't let anyone essentially dictate her warmup- "if someones in your way go around....or over them" was my advice. I was in shock watching this girl swimming down the middle of the lane for her butterfly pace, smacking people (because this girl doesn't break stroke), cutting off people, and keeping on her goal pacing.
I could learn a lot from a girl like Alyssa. She is not afraid of anything. Which shows why her best events include the 200 Fly, 400 IM.
McKENZIE: on a constant state of goal awareness and relying on this when it matters
McKenzie is the girl who comes to practice and I almost find it weird if she doesn't ask to have her strokes watched.
I love athletes like this. They work hard, and WANT to succeed.
McKenzie and I this summer. PS this girl's kick. OMG. This girl's kick.
Mckenzie is one of the most coachable athletes I have worked with- you mention something you would like to see in the race- and damn, you see it. Combining an amazing work ethic with a willingness to concentrate on technique has lead this girl to a 4A District title in the 200 free--not to mention an amazing ability to lead her team by example.
Her confidence lies in her trust she places on her coaches which leads to an amazing confidence in herself. I am so excited to watch this girl grow the next year, she is definitely one to watch.
ClAIRE: on keeping the confidence flowing through a performance that didn't reach goals
Clare and I running up Badger
I always say that 500 swimmers are some of my swimmers with the biggest hearts. They put their heads down. They train. They don't complain.
This is Claire.
Claire was seated 3rd in BOTH of her swims yesterday and was one on the radar to procure her first state qualifying. She had put in the time. She had the heart. Now just to get the race underway.
After a HEART WRENCHING 3rd place in the 200 free where she was out touched by a mere .10 of a second she made her way up the stairs to tell me her plan for the 500 free. She wanted to get that 2nd place. There was no mention of her 200. There were no hard feelings. Very matter of fact- that she was ready for that 500.
The 500 came, and though a great swim for Claire she secured her 3rd place spot. Being a coach of MANY of the swimmers at the District Championships (from multiple teams) it's so hard to be so happy for one swimmer, and heartbroken for another.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for a wildcard for this girl. She so earns it.
COURTNEY: on reaching goals and creating new ones
The last girl I need to write about is a freshman who I got to work with over the summer before her first HS season. Courtney is another one of those put your head down and work girls. She has this amazing kick, and even more amazing work ethic.
As a freshman, she came up and told me how nervous she was going into finals to be anchoring the Kennewick 200 Medley relay that was seated first for finals. She had three strong swimmers ahead of her, but as a freshman she knew she would be the one down to the wire bringing it home.
She dove in, swam her heart out, and brought Kennewick to their first District Relay Title.
After her swim (and hopefully a warmdown--i didn't see much warm down action goin on.... haha) she was excited to share with me her excitement in going to State as a Freshman, but was quick to bring up her plans for next season.
Within minutes of her success, she was asking me about her next steps towards her next goals----an individual event at State next year. I assured her we will be working hard for that, but to enjoy the rest of her earned success this season.
I could seriously go on, and on, and on. These kids continue to enhance my life- and totally inspire me to always be working towards something a little better than I am today.
Onward to STATE Channel Cats. You go get em.
The cats fine, I needed a puppy picture this week. Boo and I say Happy Halloween.
Love, Erin
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