Swim Banquet 2011

Last night was Nathan's final swim team banquet. It was very bittersweet for me. This was something that I looked forward to planning and putting on since the start of the year. However, it was not my destiny to put on the banquet, as the coach ended up with different plans. Anyways, after a bit of drama, I relinquished my role and planning and succumbed to the rumors and accusations that flew. Coaches vindictiveness did not end there, as she would not let three of the captains help with the planning or make the paper plate awards. Thank goodness Steve could not take anymore swim drama and kept Nathan at bay by not allowing him to do his "Paper Nate Awards". That could have been bad.

It was also bittersweet, as it means never going to the pool and watching my goofy son swim again. It is yet, another sign, that Nathan's senior year is coming to a close soon. And that means it is just that much closer to him leaving the home....{sob sob}.

With that being said....here are some pictures from the evening. Enjoy!

Nathan and Pam before the dinner started 

The Captains
Dani Linde, Tyler Ellzey, Pam Coyle, Nathan

Nathan and Coach Wang
receiving his senior gift

Nathan Berg, Nathan (Nate) Wadkins, Pam Coyle, Tyler
They all lettered last year and are receiving varsity plaques

Pam and Nathan received "The Cutest Couple" award (or something like that)

The Family Picture
Forgot at the actual banquet..but remembered when we got home

Personal Best

Yesterday was Nathans last official swim meet of his senior year {tear tear for me}. This season has been so so at best.....but man...Nathan sure did fantastic in his last two meets.........Funny...........he did that last year. I   really wanted to see my son end his swim career on a good note. I believe he did this. Nathan was disqualified in one event and made a personal best in another. 

Going strong on his 100 butterfly

 only to be DQ'd on his last 10 yards as his arms became uneven

This was okay though, as Nathan still had his 500 freestyle to go. His best time ever was a 6:30 (last meet Jr year). I was hoping he would give it his all and he did. He started off strong and was able to keep the pace up. At this point I was just wanting to see Nathan get the bell (meaning that he was in first going into the last 50 yards)...He got the bell and we were all excited...however...he came in second {bummer}. He was barely touched out...but had a finishing time of 6:20. I think this was a fantastic way to go out!

Looking at the score board while catching his breath

Senior Swim Night

The senior swim meet is always supposed to be their moment of fame. A brief summary about the swimmer is read as they walk down the bulkhead. They are given a flower and the parents meet them for a photo. Sadly, there was a lot of chaos with the other swimmers being all over the place and it was hard to see Nathan as it was his moment. Fortunately, I could somewhat hear his presentation and were at least able to get a family shot.

Our senior swimmer

In the past, no one has ever bothered to get photos of all the seniors together. Becky had them all in their parkas and we got a few photos showing them and their personalities.

Back row L-R 
Sebastian Jackson, Nathan Berg, Nate, Bryce Davis, Tyler Sheets, Coach Wang
Front row L-R
Lori Heath, Pam Coyle

We wanted to have a cake that was a bit different than the ones in the past. Becky found an awesome picture of swimmer bodies and we decided that we would attach their faces to. The cake did not look anything like the ordered design...and quite frankly....was sloppy for having been done at a bakery. I think it still turned out original and cute.

A Great Swim

OH MY....THIS IS MY 100th POST!!!

This is a call for a celebration or at least a brag about my favorite someone

Today I took the day off of work to time at an all day meet (20 schools total). I was able to hang out with another mom from breakfast time to dinner time. The meet was pretty enjoyable and made for some good conversation along the way.

I was SOOOO happy with how Nathan swam. He swam like he ended the season last year and like where he should have been all along this year. Well...except for his 200 free. He totally hates this event and each week that coach has him swim this....the slower he goes. I am curious to see who will lose this battle. Nate-Coach. Coach-Nate????

However, when it came to his 500 free, he looked beautiful. His start was smooth and Nathan was able to set  a nice pace. I must admit that I was a bit nervous as I was convinced that he would tire himself out. But no....he kept it going....and swam a 6:39.40. It might  seem slow, however, this season, he has been swimming it over 7min. So regardless of the lack of motivation he has or the weight gain that occurred over summer.....Nathan had a great swim. And I hope that it will continue for the rest of the season.

Swimming and Oklahoma

The swim team traveled to Norman, Oklahoma yesterday for their meet today at Oklahoma University (OU). We drove up to meet the kids and watch the meet. Upon meeting some friends at the hotel, we left to meet up with our kids, who were bored and cranky at the Coaches Restaurant. I personally thought the food was good for a college hub.

Nathan and a group of his teammates waiting for some grub

Nathan doing his lip sync with his partner Matt who miserably let him down

Upon returning to the hotel, the team got together for some "team building" activities. Everyone had to participate in the lip syncing. I thought it was pretty enjoyable and the kids appeared to enjoy it more than they let on. After the kids were told to hit their rooms, Steve and I assisted the coach with rooms checks and watched as the coach taped the doors as a way of monitoring who broke the rules.

A little before the meet was supposed to start, we got a call from Nathan informing us that the meet might be cancelled due to lightening. So we rushed to the swim complex as quick as we could. Man, talk about some cranky kids again. They were all tired and wanting to go home.  However, us parents, came to see them swim and hoped the weather would cooperate.........

And it did.

Becky, Gail, Me and Kim
some of the dedicated moms who always follow the kids

Actually quite a few other parents traveled to see and support our team. 

Nathan relaxing in between events

I was pretty happy with how Nathan swam today. I do not know any of his times as the schools scoreboard was horrid and only recorded the first four swimmers....SIGH. We were all pretty annoyed. However, his butterfly form was looking strong. His sprinting in his relays wasn't all that bad. And for not swimming the backstroke in about two years, he did pretty well. Best of all, Nathan seemed happy with how he swam.

Two exhausted kids

Pam decided to ride home with us and the two zonked out pretty quick in the car. The drive home was pretty enjoyable considering mother earth decided to downpour on us. At the Oklahoma border, we stopped and introduced Pam to Carl's Jr.

Too much swim team excitement

 

This sign was made by the boys

This past Saturday...we had our first official fundraiser of the season...and it was quite successful. Between, family, friends and the neighborhood we made a nice sum of cash.

Nathan trying to get someone with the hose

 Both the kids and the adults had a good time washing the cars and playing in the water. Well... except for one swimmer who Nathan poured a bucket of water on...and that is a whole other story.

Tyler and Bryce used their bodies as billboards

Becky and her friend

At this weeks meet, all of us volunteers were introduced to our new uniforms.....UGH!  Seriously, I never thought that I would have to wear a smock like this again after graduating from LVN school. Yes, sadly, in nursing school we had to wear Kelly Green aprons just like this. They were hot and covered all of our spirit shirts. It was obvious that the city/school district did not take this to the citizens for a vote.

Nancy Matthews, Becky Davis, Gail Stam and Me

This is why I like volunteering my time and energy. I have made some great friends and these gals are a  hoot to be around. Nancy is new to our group this year (and she is the one who got me my new job). And yes....we are sporting our new lovely attire....Sarcasm.

What happened to my swimmer?

swim season 2009-10

I am at a loss to what happened to Nate tonight at his meet....UGH. It was like a total regression to a long time ago....like the very first time he had ever swam his 500 free. His time was a set back to where he once was many a moon ago....GULP.

I could not hardly concentrate on my timing for the rest of the meet. Too many thoughts running through my mind. Wondering how and why he had lost such interest. Having to suck up my competitive pride and realize that I was glad that he was just swimming.

I mean, I knew he wasn't wanting to be the best... but this....not at all what I would have thought.

I rationalized that at least he was getting exercise, hanging out with his friends and allowing me to be with adults/kids that I enjoy....RIGHT?

And after all, how is it he should be doing when they have not had a coach for six weeks...and when they did have the assistant....all they worked on was sprints. And then it doesn't help that coach puts him in the 200 free before his 500. Nate can not stand this. 

Then as we were driving home and I was talking to him about the race...I come to find out, that he was totally clueless about his 500 time....YIKES. He did say coach asked him if he hated the event or was just out of shape? Nate replied that he was definitely out of shape.

So here is to some serious training since coach is back on deck. Well hopefully.

Either way, I love my swimmer.

Swim Team and our Boat

It is homecoming time again and this year the weather decided to cooperate with us and let everyone enjoy a beautiful day. Last year it was an utter downpour. One of the swim dads (and a friend of mine) offered up his boat this year and it worked out fantastic

one of the favorite sayings for the swimmers

Bailey had the creative idea to tye dye balloons

 

Olivia, Bailey and Laurie

Nate, Pam and Alex manning the boat

Nate helping with finishing up the decor

 Carissa, Lori and Athena 

(sorry twins if I have it backwards)

                            

Two of our divers Teagan and Whit