End of Swim Season

We have come to the end of our third High School swim season. It's hard to believe that Bailee has been swimming on a team for 7 years. Her very first meet was in 2009. Just look at that little CKAT!

I couldn't even calculate how many hours we have spent at swim meets (those can be some long days). I do know that it has been worth it!

Bailee has figured out that she excels with endurance. She amazes me with her strength as she competes in the longest (and often most dreaded)events.

Being on the swim team has been so good for Bailee. There is a comradery between these girls that is fun to watch.

There were 3 "Bailee's" on the team this year, which honestly annoyed her a little at first. One of them even had the nerve to spell hers the same;) As it turned out the 3 of them ended up being on the same relay team quite often. It was Team Bailee (and Ella) on this one.

 

The most exciting part of the season for her is when they get to shave their legs before Conference. It's a pretty major deal for sure! We gave her a little care package before she headed off for her last meet.

Last week we attended the end of season Swim Banquet

We all love going and hearing all about the girls and the great season they had

 This is the crazy group of girls that Bailee spends early mornings, late evenings and Saturdays with for 3 months. She had a choir concert in the Events Center during the Banquet so she ended up wearing her fancy dress for most of the night. Good thing they were both at the school.

 

 This is Coach Breshears. He pretty much adores Bailee (I think the feeling is mutual). He always raves about her positive and happy nature and what a team player she is. She cut 35 seconds off her 500 from the start of the season. Her goal was to get her 500 down to a qualifying time for State. She was just a few seconds off:(

 

 Her coach has each class come up and he talks about each girl and what they bring to the team. It takes a while with 25+ girls but I love that he takes the time to recognize each one individually. This is the Junior class. Three of the seven are exchange students .. .. pretty cool!

The girls recognize the coaches as well. It is traditionally the seniors that take this on. Both Coach Kristen and Coach Rob are good sports and have a great relationship with the girls.

One of the bummers about swim season is that Poudre doesn't have a pool onsite. The district doesn't provide transportation to and from the pool for practices so swimmers have to rely on other swimmers who have cars and parents (who live in town). Her transportation between school and the pool this year was the beautiful Jahira. Bailee enjoyed her company and we appreciated her getting Bailee back and forth safely. It saved us that bit of extra driving and lots of waiting time while they practiced.

I'm not gonna lie. Swim season can be rough. Getting up at 4 am to drive her to the pool and picking her up most evenings can really take its toll on all of us. When I get to experience the "team" at times like the banquet, I am reminded how happy I am that Bailee is a part of this team and how happy I am that this team gets a part of our pretty amazing girl!

GO LADY IMPALAS!!