Hegwein Family Blog

2007 Y-States Championships

Orlando, FL: This years edition of the Florida State YMCA Championships was another showcase for the Sarasota Sharks, as the team handily defeated all challengers to win its 3rd title in a row, and its 20th overall. The team took 203 swimmers, including 18 seniors that would swim only Saturday, then board a plane for the Missouri Grand Prix in Columbia, MO. There was some drama to add spice to the story; more on that later!

Karl and Natalie both had swims on Friday evening; Karl swam the 500 Free and 200IM, and Natalie the 200 Free and 200IM. Karl dropped time in his most despised event (500FR) and Natalie made the last of her 10 JO cuts in the 200 Free (2:29.21). Karl was back in the pool at 7AM Saturday, to swim the 100 Fly, 100 Breast, and 50 Back. As he had to only make the finals, he swam perfunctory times. Later that evening, he swam a blistering 1:12.71 in the Fly, taking off 4.53 seconds, only to follow that with an astounding 1:17.93 in the 100 Breast, dropping 3.37 seconds and making the JO cut!

Natalie swam in the afternoon, and like brother, ripped off a 1:06.47 in the 100 Free to place 5th. She followed that with a 1:26.63 in the 100 Breast, shedding 2.41 seconds to place 4th. Finally, she notched a 34.36 in the 50 Fly, good for 3rd.

On Sunday, Karl swam the 100 Free, 100 Back and 100 IM. He was tired, and didn't do so well, making the Championship final only in the 100IM, and consolations in the other events. Nevertheless, later that evening, he swam a 1:16.32 in the backstroke, and a stellar 1:11.65 in the 100IM (-3.86 sec), good for his 4th JO cut! Natalie again did well during her afternoon session, swimming the 50 Free, 50 Breast, 100 Back and 100 Fly. She cranked on the 100 Back, posting a 1:17.09 (-2.93) and good for 5th. On a side note: Natalie has now swum the 7th fastest 50 Backstroke in the State since September (beginning of short-course season). She is poised to do very well next week at the Junior Olympics, as is Karl!

Now for the spice! During the Saturday night finals, some parents and the coaches noticed an odd-looking man standing behind lane 4 starting blocks. He never cheered or spoke to anyone, and his mannerisms suggested something else was on his mind. It later turned out that he was a pedophile, straight off the plane from Ohio! Some of our parents escorted him out of the building, and I took some head shots, later emailing them to the Orange County Sheriffs Department; Sex Crimes Division. Luckily, nothing happened, but this episode has made all the Sharks parents vow to be evermore vigilant at swim meets.

See you at JO's in Gainesville!