MEET-ing the challenge

Pictured above: Tanner Emerson, Garrett, and Conner Dyches

This summer Garrett has been participating in the Dixie State College Junior Swim Team. He and two of his friends, Conner and Tanner, have been getting up at 6:30 am Monday through Thursday, to go to swim practice for an hour. The boys were originally placed on a lower level team. However, due to my work schedule and that of Conner's mom, the boys were moved to the advanced level swim team. On their fourth day of practice I decided to stay and watch the boys for a little while to see how they were doing. All of the other kids on the team had been on the team in previous years. The other kids were warming up doing their free style laps. The pool was calm and quiet as they swam. Then Garrett, Conner and Tanner began their warm-ups. You would have thought a bomb exploded under water. Water was flying everywhere, sloshing out of the pool. The once calm, quiet water was thundering with every stroke and kick the boys made. I quickly stifled my outburst of laughter, gathered my things and got the heck out of there before anyone realized those three boys were with me. I then called the other moms and asked if we should re-think their placement. We talked to the coaches who assured us they would be fine and that they had already seen some improvement. I can't imagine what they had improved from!!! Anyway, occasionally I would stay for a little of their practices and found that they were really making huge improvements. The water was actually calm and quiet as they swam. It was nice to see that their hard work and diligence was paying off.

Tonight the boys had their final swim meet and a family BBQ and swim night. The boys were so amazing in comparison to their rough beginnings. Garrett won the backstroke event and Connor won the breast stroke event. They almost looked like they knew what they were doing. After the meet we had hot dogs, salads, chips and cookies. Then the kids played basketball in the pool. Here are some action shots.

Overall the DSC swim team was such a great experience. The boys improved their swimming skills, built up their endurance, and had so much time in the pool this summer! When the temperatures are in the 110's... there is not much else for one to do.