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Tuesday, December 19, 2006
2006 Jingle Bell Invitational results
The last swim meet of the year has come and gone, and the final swims of 2006 for Karl and Natalie were simply outstanding! Case in point; they were among only 26 swimmers to post 5 or more personal best times, out of over 100 the Sarasota Sharks sent to the 2006 Jingle Bell Invitational in Clearwater. This meet featured some of the best age-group athletes from Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, Tallahassee, Clearwater and of course, Sarasota!
The venue was the Clearwater Aquatics Center, a large, glass enclosed facility with a 50M pool and a smaller 4-lane cool-down pool. All parents had to sit in the upper deck, which afforded an enviable view of the swimmers, their stroke technique, and the inevitable "ugly swim," usually by a weak 8 yo! You can see the facility HERE
Natalie had a superlative meet! She dropped major time in everything she swam, and made 2 new JO cuts in the 100 Fly and 100 Back! Additionally, she lowered her 50 back time to 36.03, a AA time! She has now qualified for Junior Olympics in 5 events. You can see her 50yd backstroke swim HERE.
Karl had an impressive 3 days in the water, starting with the 50yd and 500yd freestyle on Friday evening, when he dropped .4 and 23.33 seconds, respectively. He followed that up with a 2:48.57 in the 200IM, and a 1:15.51 in the 100IM on Saturday. The best swim was the last; the 100yd breaststroke on Sunday, when he lowered his time by 2.30 to 1:21.83, just .74 from a JO cut! Although he did not make a JO time at this meet, he is within a second in another 3 events, and with 3 more meets till Junior Olympics in February, he is all but guaranteed admittance! You can see Karl's 50yd Fly HERE.
Cindy was the videographer, and has improved dramatically in the art of steadiness, panning, and overall composition. Finally, I have completed my Stroke & Turn Official apprenticeship and can now work USA Swimming meets as a S & T judge.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Peter, Cindy, Karl, Natalie and Max the wiener-dog!