Northern California Swim League
Gold Rush Conference Championships
July 28 - 29, 2007

Those that know our family know that our children are involved many activities, especially sports. They have been a member of the Arden Park Swim Team since last season. It's a recreational swim team in our neighborhood. Our season starts in April and goes until the Swim Championship weekend, which was this past weekend. During the season they practice Monday through Friday; girls for one hour and boys for one and half hours. It's been really good for both their body and their mind. They have come to appreciate hard work and the results it bears.

In Northern California Swim League there are four Conferences, and in each conference there are anywhere from four to six teams. They meet during the regular season for "dual meets" and then at the end of the season every team in the conference meet for the "Swim Championships". Our conference this year was Gold Rush, second highest level for a recreational swim team. Our conference consist of 5 teams, with total of 993 swimmers. Our team had 176 swimmers. Ages span from Under 6 to 18 years old. Each age/sex category competes with each other in same category. During the season each swimmer may swim up to 5 events, but during the championship they are required to swim ALL events (Individual Medley, Backstroke, Short Freestyle, Long Freestyle, Breast Stroke and Butterfly). On top of that each team entered two teams to both Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay.

Rachel was the 1st alternate to the Medley Relay B team, but never got to swim it. However, she was in the Freestyle Relay B team... was the first to swim out of 4 swimmers and placed 7th place in the girls 7-8 100 Yard Freestyle Relay: Her first swim medal ever! Our boys have been in both relay teams all season so it was not a surprise to see them on the team. Jeffrey was on the A team for both relays. His team came in 5th in 11-12 Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, and 4th in 11-2 Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay... he was the anchor and swam the freestyle. Christopher was in the B team for the 13-14 Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay and placed 8th, but for his Freestyle Relay he swam up in the 15-18 Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Team which placed 7th. Overall it was a wonderful weekend made especially better because their Uncle Curtis came up to watch them as well as take these beautiful pictures (thank you Uncle Curtis!).

In between events we had a lot of down time.
Here's Jeffrey relaxing before his next event

Lizzy LOVES to swim and it shows!

We have to bring things to entertain ourselves between events. Here's Rachel ATTEMPTING to solve the Rubik's Cube.

Lizzy's first event: 100 Yard IM (Individual Medley)
This particular stroke is her butterfly.

Lizzy's second leg of her IM: Backstroke

Christopher swimming his Short Freestyle (50 Yard).

No... the swim cap says "Arden Park Idol"

Rachel is getting ready for her next event.

Waiting at the Ready Bench

Time to get focused

Rachel in her 25 Yard Breaststroke

Although this is not her favorite stroke, she does it very well.

Fortunately all of our children love to swim.
Here's Lizzy getting ready for her event with a smile.

A smile before diving off

Lizzy's Backstroke

Christopher was part of a 13-14 Boys Medley Relay Team. He swam the third leg of the relay, Butterfly Stroke, for the team.

Here as he comes up for a stroke (and a breathe)

Impressive wingspan, huh?

Jeffrey's 50 Yard Breaststroke

Jeffrey's form has improved so much this year.

Here Jeffrey finished off with a 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.

This is Christopher's 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.

But the best event of the day was this...
Christopher was able to finish 7th in the 50 Yard
Breaststroke with 25.63 seconds! His personal best!!

This truly was a wonderful season. Not only were my children getting physically stronger, but they learned so many valuable life's lessons. They worked hard everyday, even those days they really didn't feel like going to practice. They stuck with it through the end and learned to fulfill their responsibilities to the team. For that I am grateful. In the end they were all glad they finished the season successfully.