Zones Day 5 Update
The final night of competition from Rockwall, TX from Head Zone Coach Jimmy Smith:
In the final night of competition, SCS was able to have 2 swimmers return for finals. Elaine Zhou earned a new best time in the 200 IM (2:29.9) and placed 7th. Elaine followed that up with another best time in the 200 Fly (2:23.8) and raced to a 4th place finish. Elaine was the only swimmer from SCS to final in all 6 of her events! Congratulations Elaine on a job very well done!
John Kelly surprised everyone, even himself, by making the finals in the 50 Free. In fact, he was tied for first going into finals. John placed 5th overall with a best time of :25.3. This was john’s first podium.
In 200 free relay action, the 11-12 boys placed 11th and the 11-12 girls placed 10th. The 13-14 girls took 5th and the boys were 8th. The senior relays completed the night with both relays getting 6th place.
At meet’s end, SCS was 8th overall, an improvement from 2011. The competition was very tough, particularly from Texas LSC’s as Texas was the meet host.
There was much excitement during the meet as this was also “trade” night. Swimmers were swapping for t-shirts and other apparel from the moment kids walked into the pool. Some inventive SCS swimmers even set up a table displaying their “wares” as if we were at flea-market! One SCS swimmer was even paid $30 in cash for one of the SCS shirts... which were very cool, by the way. Following the meet, SCS went out to Shenaniganz for dinner and game playing. Coach Jim was even spotted riding the mechanical bull... but not for very long!
Overall, this was an excellent trip. The chaperones did an outstanding job... thank you! The coaches were excellent in keeping track of their assigned swimmers and other duties... thank you! And for the athletes, in my third trip to zones, as a group, this was hands-down, the easiest group of swimmers to work with... no real issues. In fact, the 11-12 boys impressed me by always being the first to breakfast each morning, never having to be woken up. There will be many stories to come out of this adventure to Texas – the “SCS swimmers have talent” contest on the bus trip to Atlanta, a first-time flyer getting a first-class ticket, cooking bacon on day 1, the toga parade and an appearance by “speedo-man,” all of the singing and dancing (and some dancing we REALLY wish we could forget), the “dry” heat of Texas, the team cheering and camaraderie and so much more. Thank you to all the athletes, coaches and chaperones for making this a truly fun trip!
Enjoy the rest of your summer...from myrtle beach, Jim Smith, Head Coach 2012 SCS Zone Championship Team
