SMSC Championship Meets begin....

 
(All Over California) - The Santa Maria Swim Club Championship season kicks off this next week. Every group of athletes on the team has a championship meet to finsih off their summer. Below, a quick synopsis of each in order of achievement.

Summer Swim Festival - August 6 all SMSC novice athletes are invited to compete in the Summer Swim Festival. The event has short course yards events in all of the short distances, a 200 Freestyle and a 100 IM. There are also relays. Its a great way to get a few best times in the database and see what you have learned.

Central California Junior Olympics - This year SMSC sends 23 athletes over to Fresno for the Junior Olympics. This is a long-course meters competition with events in every discipline and for every age group. SMSC has a rich tradtion of high team finishes at this meet, with our highest ever team finish being 2nd!! Many athletes will be looking to make finals, swim times qualifying them for the next age group up or even qualify for Far Westerns. 

Coach Steve, Sara and Patty will lead the crew. All athletes and coaches are expected to be present for finals each evening to cheer on the team!

Far Westerns Age Group Championships - This year SMSC sends Kristina Hendrick, Kim Hendrick, Emily Mathis, Dria Kwong, Lyndsey Hiltner, Paola Hernandez, Michaela Paige and Casey Kennemann to represent the team. Far Westerns is an age group championship bringing in athletes from around the country, as well as Mexico, Canada and others. SMSC has a great history of individual event champions at this meet. 

Coach Matt will lead the crew.

USA Junior Nationals - Elizabeth Pulido will represent SMSC at the 18-under National Championships at Stanford University. Pulido goes in as the 2nd fasest 13-14 200m Backstroker in the country. (That's right, the country!!) Pulido will swim the 100 and 200 Backstrokes and 200 and 400 Freestyles while trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Trials.

USA Nationals - Josh Prenot and Meghan Zimmer will represent SMSC at the USA National Championships at Stanford University. Besides bringing in the likes of Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin and Ryan Lochte, several internaational teams are on the line. Meghan Zimmer will compete in the 200 Back and 200 and 400 Freestyles while trying to get closer to a 2012 Olympic Trials standard.

The Top 2 finishers in each event will go to Guadaljara, Mexico for the Pan American Championships while the top 2 18-under athletes will attend the World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru.

Josh Prenot goes in as the 1st or 2nd seeded 18-under in several events while making a bid to make both international teams.

SMSC has a huge month ahead of us! Congrats to all on your achievements!

Coach Mike