Northern California Swim League
Eureka Conference Championships
Schaal Aquatic Center
UC Davis
July 26-27, 2008

Yes, it has come to the end of our swim season. As I was going through the pictures I realized how all the pictures look the same... there's only so many poses that can be captured. Also it's sometimes difficult to figure out who's who. Sometimes the only way I can tell is by their cap and goggles. For us championship marks the end of a swim season. For me, that means I get my life back... sort of. It is, however, very rewarding to see how much our kids improved over the months. It takes discipline and dedication, both on the part of the swimmer and the parents. Our kids enjoy being part of our swim team and enjoy all the friendly competition we participate in. It also doesn't hurt that they really like swimming. However, since they are in the water everyday for at least 4 months they are really dark by the end of the summer. Oh well...

At the championship, every team in the conference compete together. This year we were part of the Eureka Conference. Eureka conference has five team with the total of 755 swimmers. That's a lot of swimmers! And at the championship all swimmers must swim all events... that's total of six events minimum: IM, short-freestyle, backstroke, long-freestyle, butterfly, and breast stroke. On top of that each team has the opportunity to place two teams in both Medley Relay and Free Relay. All the events are over the two-day period, but it still ends up being a long day.

This year our kids broke most of their old records. Our second son, Jeffrey, did exceptionally well at the championship. He medaled on medley relay, free relay and the breast stroke. Also Lizzy swam the medley relay (backstroke) and medaled. We were very proud of all our kids. It was very exciting to watch them. Enjoy the pictures below!

Lizzy, Rachel & Jeffrey keeping warm
we arrive early in the morning (before 7am)

Chris eating breakfast & trying to keep warm

Jeffrey catching some zzz's before his events
Lizzy with the breakfast of champions... Gatorade!
It's too early in the morning...
After warm-up Rachel is awake & ready to go
All events are from youngest to oldest...
Rachel getting ready for her first event
Our swim team's name is Arden Park Dolphins...
that's what AP on her cap & swimsuit stands for
at the ready-bench
she really is with her age group... kind of petite for her age
other color uniforms are swimmers from other teams
first event of the day... 100 IM
(Individual Medley)
it is 25 yard butterfly, 25 yard backstroke,
25 yard breast stroke followed by 25 yard freestyle
third leg of the event... breast stroke
after the event Rachel tries to keep warm & dry
Lizzy's turn... here she is at the ready bench
Although she appears to be shy at first
she is full of spunk... as seen here
Lizzy's IM... butterfly
as we all cheer her on, we often yell "pull, pull" during breast stroke...
somehow it always makes her laugh
which ends up distracting her and defeats the purpose of our cheer...
Rachel with dad cheering on her siblings & teammates
Jeffrey on his butterfly stroke
Jeffrey doing his breast stroke

Jeffrey made the finals (8th place) in the breast stroke
here he is during the finals
notice the cap change with each event?
his female coach convinced him to wear her cap for the finals...
too funny...
Yea! I'm done!
Last but not least... Christopher in his IM
first leg of the race... butterfly
2nd leg of the race... backstroke
3rd leg (and his favorite), breast stroke
Chris in between events...