State Swimming and Track

We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Wichita for the State swimming and track meet. I only mention swimming and track because that is all Rachel did. There is actually weight lifting, tennis and cycling too. Actually we have a weight lifter that is unbelievable. He squats, dead lifts and bench presses all 550 pounds and more. He is extremely strong.

Day 1. On Friday we spent 4-5 hours at the pool. Rachel swam the 10m and 20m and got a gold and a bronze medal. We had about 20 total swimmers in our group. From swimming we head to the track for a cookout and opening ceremonies. Opening ceremonies was OK. They had a group of girls from KC that preformed on the trampoline. They were good but went on, and on and on. A drum line from Derby Kansas that was the best I have seen. They were really good. A singer who was ok but glad she only sang 3 songs. Then the fireworks. They were just awesome. They blocked off 21st street(for those of you who know Wichita) by the track and off they went. One right after the other. I thought last year was the best fireworks show I had ever seen but this was just as good if not better. It was a great ending for a long and hot day. I should mention we started this day meeting the bus in Lawrence at 7:00. So we were pretty tired when we hit the beds Friday night about 10:30ish.

Day 2 Saturday. We had to be up at 6 am showered, dressed, breakfast and on the bus by 7:30. Saturday morning events started at 8:00 and lasted all day long. Rachels first event was the 50m run. She took 4th place. From there we had the standing long jump and she got a bronze medal. Next up was the 100m dash and she took 7th place. (running is not her strongest event). She runs really hard just not very fast. Last was the tennis ball throw. She was so tired at this point she didn't even try. It was almost like just dropping the ball instead of throwing it. She got a 5th place ribbon. Part of the problem was there was so much staging and waiting to do the event and then staging and waiting for the award that everything was just one right after the next and she didn't have time for lunch. It was about 1 before she was able to eat. So about 1 and her events are done for the day and off to play in the olympic village. Lots of games with a punch card to turn in for prizes. This is the highlight for all the athletes and it was cooler with some wind where this was set up. She didn't get her card all punched off before it was time to load the bus so she saved it to finish on Sunday. We loaded the bus and headed back to the hotel leaving behind the walkers to finish up their events on Saturday. I was so thankful to go back early as we all got our showers done and Rachel and I took a nap! I am not a nap person but I took about a 2 hour one Saturday. Saturday evening brought the banquet and dance. This was in a hanger at Beech aircraft plant almost across from our hotel. The food was awful. The meat was like that pressed turkey. Most people didn't eat the turkey. The dance started and we(Coaches and parents) headed outside where there was a nice cool breeze. Inside it was hot, hot, hot! Our head coach pulled all our athletes outside and asked if they would like to go to McDonalds for ice cream instead of staying for the dance. I don't think anyone was opposed! So we loaded up and headed to McDonalds then back to the hotel for bed!

Day3. Sunday started about an hour later than Saturday which we were all very thankful. But we were checking out of the hotel today so we had to get packed back up and everything loaded on the bus again. Thank goodness most of the athletes have done this many, many times so they know the routine. At the track it is only track events, no field. Rachel only has a relay and it got scratched because 2 of girls from her team weren't there. She was disappointed but survived. She headed to the olympic village to finish up the punches on her game card. Finally 50 punches complete. The young girl helping with Rachels last game asked her if she wanted to start another card. I was standing behind Rachel shaking my head NO! Thankfully Rachel told her no. I don't think she realized she could keep playing. The more punches the bigger the prize. Anyway we came home with a real baseball (I don't know why she picked this) and some silly necklace that has already broken. All of our teams events are complete and we are heading for home. Arriving at home around 5:30 Sunday evening. We had a really great weekend with no rain and lots of wind! Thank goodness for the wind or we all would have baked. Temps were in the 90's. Lots of sunscreen and no major sunburns in our family!