Dreams come true. Never stop believing!
10.10.09 Oak Lawn, IL – Oak Lawn Swim Association
I was very excited to get back to Chicago, and work along side Kate Ziegler. This was our first clinic together this year, so it was great to catch up with her. The Oak Lawn Swim Team hosted the Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic at the Oak Lawn High School Pool this past Saturday. We arrived bright and early at 8:00 am and were greeted by the Oak Lawn High School Cheerleading squad. WOW! What an awesome way to be welcomed and to start the day! I really enjoyed hearing, Kate share with the group on the importance of school, family, and maintaining excellence in the pool, while also pursuing her dream, making the Olympics. Her dreams came true, when she was able to compete in the 2008 Olympics. AWESOME!
It was a great group of swimmers, from the High School girls team to club swimmers. Super swim mom Renee Maiberger and Coaches Kristin, Mary and Forrest and the rest of the staff and volunteers hosted a superb event.
The Streamline Award winners: Kristen, Yalax and Ian.
The Spirit / Smile Award winners: Mary Kate, Elizabeth and Brea.
Way to go guys!
Again HUGE thank you to coaches and volunteers at Oak Lawn for hosting a Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic and the wonderful hospitality! Check out some pics from this clinic below.
10.11.09 Huntersville, NC – Gaston Gators
Like usual, Kate and I barely made our flights. While she went back home to train in DC, I was on to my next clinic in Huntersville, NC outside beautiful Charlotte. My wonderful hosts The Brown Family and Leann Richards welcomed me at the airport, and took me to eat at a wonderful sushi restaurant in Gastonia.
The Gaston Gators hosted the clinic at the awesome NOMAD Aquatics & Fitness Center. It’s a 30,000 sq. foot facility, with two swimming pools! Loved it! For an 8:00 am clinic, the kids were very attentive and kept a great attitude the whole clinic. Haley McGregory joined me for this event. I really enjoyed hearing Haley share with the kids her struggles about missing three Olympic teams, she was very honest with her feelings, and not giving up on your dream. Haley is top in the world in the 100 backstroke. She loves the sport and is training for 2012 in London. AMAZING! She hasn’t stopped believing! So, watch for her in the coming Olympics. (Neat fact: Haley was born in London, and some family still lives there.) I challenged Haley to a 50 backstroke, and it took everything I had in me to tie her! She is AWESOME! (Thanks for amusing me, Haley!)
Streamline award winners: Jordan and Clay and Madison and Lindsay.
Spirit / Smile Award: Jamison and Allie.
Again, a HUGE thank you so Coach Greg, Leann for hosting an excellent event, and to the Gaston Gators for hosting a Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic!
Side note: I had the opportunity to catch up with some swimmers from old friends, The Toney Family. I really enjoyed seeing Jordan, Austin and Jacob. These young men are a true example of strong character (Luke 2:40).
I had a great weekend with these clubs. THANK YOU to everyone for coming out! I am looking forward to next weekend in Wilkes-Barre, PA and hanging out with the Wilkes-Barre YMCA Dolphins.
“Dreams come true. Never stop believing!”
