TYR Swim Meet of Champions

Photo: Jason Lezak, Nick Brunelli and Lydon Ferns

I'm sorry it is taking me forever to edit these pics. The TYR meet is held in Mission Viejo, California. The facility doesn't have nearly enough parking for this event but it is in such a beautiful location that it is almost a joy to walk to the venue. ALMOST! This meet had some interesting energy because the Japanese Worlds Team was there. And they brought the media with them. These are the superstars of Japanese Swimming and the country really supported them here. Because of the filming, the local cable company was able to air the meet too. Of course I don't use the local company so I never got to see it, but I was there so I guess I win. Kaitlin Sandeno and Justin Mortimer were the big point winners of the meet. That had to be really sweet for Justin since that is his home pool. Again that 50 Free just blew me away. As Did the 1500 Free. Kaitlin broke the Meet record in the 100 Free in personal best time. I missed it. Dammit. Teach me to miss finals. I met the amazing Mrs S, and she re-affirmed the strength of my theory that Swim!Parents are the greatest people ever. Try starting up a friendly conversation with a Soccer Mom. Hehe. This was the meet where it became obvious to me the difference between good swimmers and Elite swimmers. As the prelims were going on for the 50 free the guys just kept getting bigger and the whole energy switched. By the time the last two heats were run you could tell those guys were the real deal. The intensity was palpable. It was a beautiful weekend and I had a great time. My favorite thing was this little teeny girl sitting next to me on the deck yelling "GO RYAN" , over and ove
r. I asked her who Ryan was and she told me it was her sister. But we were watching Men's heats and her sister Ryan is a little age group swimmer who wasn't swimming that day. I guess we learn to cheer for those we love early. I did the same thing when I went to the PAC-10 Men's Finals. Gary Marshall was breaking meet records in the Breast events and I was crossing my fingers that Brendan Hansen's NCAA records would hold. They did. Nothing against Gary but I want them to last as long as Janet Evans World Records or at least until he graduates. Anyway, I am currently attending the SPEEDO CUP in my home town of Long Beach. College meets are are such a blast. The big difference is the cheering. You can't help but get behind the team with the loudest cheering section. At the TYR meet any time a team member was in a final, the Japanese team was on their feet. USC and UT are good at supporting their teams too. You've got to cheer people. Give em wings!