All Jessi wanted for her birthday was a brand new fast skin to swim in today at the Wisconsin Division 1 State Meet. I chose not to give her a $400 swim suit she would only wear once. I have to admit there were a few times tonight I wonered if she would have done a bit better had I purchased it.
For her first race she swam a bit slower than her seed time and got 12th in the state for her 50, earning 5 points for her team with a 24.48 second race. She faired a bit better in her 100 freestyle, shaving .06 seconds off, earning 12 points for her team with 52.61. She missed earning a medal by one place (she got 7th). I knew she was very dissappointed. She had placed 4th in her heat so initially I thought she'd get to visit the podium for sure, but a couple of girls had great swims in the earlier heat.
Both of the freestyle relays went very well. Jessi swam a 23.69 in the 200 relay-- which would have gotten her 4th place had she swam that during her individual race. And for the 400 relay she swam 51.57, which would have gotten her 2nd place on the podium as an individual. Those great swims earned her and her freshmen relay team mates 5th and 4th place metals and gave the Spartans 58 points. Those two events raised the team from 20th place to 6th-- earning a very respectable place on the score board after the last event. I felt myself tear up at the very end, understanding high school swimming for Jessi has come to an end and although I still have to make a video, it's just about over for me too.
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