Wisconsin State Championships 2011 was the most recent swimming meet competition I entered. I earned 5th in the 100 IM which was OK considering I first broke the old state record with a 58 second IM. Am I becoming scary decent?

I had an extremely fun weekend at the state championships. No one swimmer has everything go perfectly on game day. All we can do as swimmers is listen to our coaches, train hard, and really concentrate when it’s crunch time. The big meets like State have developed into some real grudge matches between the top swimmers – but we’re still all having fun with each other within the sport. Swimming is about as clean as it gets according to Mom and Dad. There are few politics because the time is what it is – nothing more and nothing less. Parents cannot berate the coach for swimming different teammates in competitive swimming because again, the time is the time. There may be a little fudging on different relay teams; but if you’re in the last heat of a relay it is because you deserved or earned the right to swim.

I had embarked on a one month swimming diet to prepare for the State swim meet. It is truly unbelievable that this meet is in the middle of winter. It’s cold for everyone, but that is what competitive swimming is up here in the Northlands – swimming around icebergs. I guess if I was on a Siberian or North Pole team, I might think swimming in Minnesota or Wisconsin is balmy, but it’s cold until you actually get into the water a few strokes. At State I met the Fastjets, who were formerly part of the crazy- fast Aquajet swim team. The Fastjets split into a smaller group about ten years ago. Fastjet swimmers are very good swimmers and people – a bit less pompous than the Aquajets. Fastjets are more laid back according to Mom. I really became friends with many Fastjets, and they roomed at the very same hotel where the Spring River Penguins stayed. We actually ate together which is a bit weird as even in the off season, the parents have this Packer/Viking rivalry taken to ridiculous levels. The swimmers just want to compete and have fun.

Spring River did quite well. I was so very proud of our Club team who competes with the big boys from The Cities. The Fastjets laughed at our team name: Penguins. The laughing ended when we began to win events. It started out as Spring River Penguins with a chuckle and ended with those “darn Penguins” from that little town in Wisconsin. The swimmers from different clubs may get together this summer after a meet. It is so fun to actually socialize with your competition. Dad says it is natural socialization because females naturally talk a lot. He says it’s only a problem if the girls are not talking/socializing.

Right now I am on a three week break from swimming. Our team coach is so very good that he was recruited into the cities. The spring and summer club seasons will be with many new young swimmers and others that have moved into the area just to swim on our team. This all equates to more new friends. The new Penguin coach has already embarked upon a program of 9 practices per week including dry land. I will have that chlorine smell with very dry skin constantly and will be starting up my spring-summer season with an essentially new swim team and coach!

My goal of getting to the Olympic trials in 2012 may become a reality in the 50 freestyle. I’m two whole big seconds away from having a chance to attend the Olympic trial meet – along with hundreds of others around the country. But you never know. Janet Evans was unheard of before her Olympics. She caught fire the month before the Olympic trials which carried over into the Olympics with Gold Medals. I want to compete in the Olympic trials—not just watch. Mom is on her way up to my room. I’m done writing in my swim diary for tonight. “Yes, Mom I finished my math homework and did you see the new Spring River Penguin Coach’s Diet Rules? “ I’ve had my last coke for life. No Blumers root beer from Monroe either! This sucks; but I guess it’s all worth it to become a better swimmer.

Penguin Swimming Diet Rules

1. NO desserts!
2. One gallon of water daily (no sugary juices count)
3. Eat healthier (spinach over iceberg lettuce)
4. Sugar-Free gum only
5. 1/4 added sugar per week
6. No soda!
7. No more than 300 mg over sodium per day (it'll dehydrate you)

Jenn Smithson
Captain, Spring River Penguins