It’s been two straight weeks of insanity this ending summer swim
season. The Wisconsin State Swimming Championships and “Zones” all
occurred in the same week. State Champs was tons of fun. I was able to
talk to some swimming friends from other teams. My new team of Spring
River Penguins with many new faces has helped me make some new friends
additionally. I’ve always seemed to connect better with people from
other teams. This is probably weird, but then again maybe not? But then
The “Zones” arrives suddenly! This year an even BIGGER test of our
Spring River Swim Team and myself personally!
Zones was my best meet of the entire season. I dropped 2 seconds and
finished sixth on my 200 IM. And I also competed on all “A” relays for
Team Minnesota – even though I’m from Wisconsin. The pool this year was
just absolutely perfect. Our Spring River Penguin Swim Team was also
perfect and in rare winning form. My relay won our 200 AND 400 freestyle
relay; and came in second for the 200 and 400 medley relays. I swam
backstroke (my FAVORITE). And for individual Penguins, not so bad
either! I earned sixth in the 50 free and 200 IM, made 9th for the 200
backstroke, and placed 4th for the 100 freestyle.
My true highlight was my favorite event (100 back stroke). I placed
high for a 14 year old at 3rd place. The hard work (both land and water)
is paying off in the pool. Swimming Zones in Kansas sure gave Minnesota
luck. Minnesota and Wisconsin swimmers were swimming very close;
however Wisconsin won the Zones overall by nearly 200 points. In its
entirety the meet was tons of fun for me and virtually all swimmers
participating. Thursday night we had a swimmers only banquet with the
entire Penguin and Minnesota teams. Afterwards, a group of my friends
and I all hung out and made t-shirts - spelling “Minnesota” on the back.
Friday through Sunday was the meet.
Kansas “Zones” was
incredibly tiring with mental and physical fatigue. It was nearly
exhausting to go through Prelims and Finals every single day. The
prelims were extremely competitive. Swimming to the top 8 finalists
isn’t easy in many events. A good swimmer can lose it all just in the
prelims. Saturday was my busiest swim/not social day. Yes, I made finals
in all three events! Additionally I was swimming on a great Gopher
relay team. Thus collectively I was swimming 8 events throughout the
entire day. I had to be the busiest swimmer athlete that day. This is
OK, as I’m 14 years old, and don’t know what tired means yet according
to Mom and Dad. Unfortunately I will be turning 15 before the next Zones
roll around; and won’t be able to be on Team Minnesota or the Spring
River Penguins. Once I age over the 15 year old hump I’m done with Zones
and onto Junior National meets. The meet next year is in sunny Florida.
I certainly hope I can attend. My goal is to earn J.N. times in the 50
& 100 free and 100 back strokes.
In conclusion, I’d say Zones was my true highlight of the summer.
I wish I could go again; but if I don’t make any Junior National times,
hopefully a nice vacation will be planned. Vacations are parent
dependent as we all know. But for now I’m working on setting at least
two high school records for Spring River, Wisconsin as a freshman in the
50 free and 100 back stroke. And of course I end up being the
Individual medley swimmer for Spring River’s High School swim team. This
was ruthlessly planned by my swim coach the second day of practice.
What a joy as a frosh to have the most difficult race in your face
immediately upon entering High School. Presently I’m just thinking
straight forward and sticking to my goals of kicking some Eau Claire
butt – a big school vs. small school swim rivalry! Our Penguin team has
never been able to defeat evil Eau Claire Memorial. Therefore hopefully
with some extremely talented new freshman Penguin swimmers, the time has
come to knock Eau Claire down a notch! It’s not all about winning; yet
wouldn’t it be nice to defeat a long school rival once and for all? A
David vs. Goliath matchup is on the horizon. Yes, I firmly believe a
swim victory over Eau Claire Memorial would be better than Wisconsin ice
cream!
Jenn Smithson
Frosh - Spring River Penguin High School Swim Team
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