Baumhover Babble: Still wild about the Orcas

Aubrey had her last regular meet this morning, and still loves every second of swim team!!! They swam against another team that several of her classmates are on, so she was so excited to see them. She was also excited to swim the butterfly for the first time. She was signed up to swim it last week, but the meet was running long and we had to catch a plane to Minnesota, so she missed it. I was a little worried that after not having been in the pool all week, she would have a tough time with it. I can't begin to tell you how amazed I was by her! She swam it with what seemed like perfect form to me, and nearly won the heat. So, you can imagine the disappointment when we found out she had disqualified. I honestly can't think of what she did, but it doesn't really matter to me. She swam it so well. She was crying tonight about it, which was heartbreaking. The championship meet is next week at the UT swim center, and you can only swim an event that you have swam with a qualifying time, so she won't be able to do it. I think that is what upset her the most. It has quickly become her favorite stroke. In fact, she went to the coaches all on her own and told then she wanted to swim it in a meet. Anyway, I was so impressed with her swim today that I completely forgot to video and didn't get a photo. I did manage to get a few others of her and her teammates.

All and all, this has been an amazing experience. She couldn't swim the length of the pool back in April, so she has come soooo far! We are so proud of you Aubrey!!!!! Have I mentioned the amazing coaches? The head coach has 3 Olympic gold medals. I don't know how we got so lucky to have an Olympian teaching our daughter to swim. Coach Sandy stresses the importance of FUN and doing your personal best. She is really amazing. Here are some photos from the season.

Aubrey and Coach Sandy at practice

The littlest Orcas... 6 and under with Coach Sandy, Hannah and Vanessa

Coach Sandy

At the second meet, Aubrey won her freestyle heat and was sooooo excited to get a ribbon!!!

Her third meet was against the Blue Waves, and Aubrey's dear friend Alivia was swimming. I'm so glad her mom captured this photo of the two of them!

Last week's meet was at home against the Twisters and she finally clicked on the backstroke. She didn't hit the lane line once and had her best time... and I was finally organized enough to bring my good camera.