Far Westerns - A good performance for our swimmers!

Far Westerns is the top age group competition offered in Pacific Swimming. It is scheduled twice a year, early April for the short course format and mid summer for the long course format. Last weekend's meet gathered over 170 teams who traveled from all over the westerns states to compete in the championship. Only 90 teams ended up scoring points this year and for the first time, finals were retransmitted live over the internet!

3 Marlins swimmers qualified for the meet. James Beard 10 improved both of his events in the 50 and 100 back. Jared Sears 14 swam a strong 200 back missing the team record by only 3 seconds, and Monica Sears, although ready to swim fast, missed her best time by a mere 3 seconds in the 400 IM. The meet was scheduled over 4 days and although James and Jared got tropical conditions for their races, by Sunday Monica was stepping on the block to start her race as gust of chilly winds were lifting the timer's tents and blowing the parking lot's sand in everyone's faces.

In the end, everyone did a great job. It's not easy to drive 90 miles, warm-up for 30 to 40 minutes and race for 35" to 5', and somehow figure out when to eat, drink and stay focus on a task with no second chance. I certainly think this is what makes these meets so challenging and help lay the foundation needed to become an experienced athlete. 

On behalf of the swimmers, I want to take this opportunity to thank their parents for an unconditional support they offered throughout the event.