I am so proud of Claire! This last weekend she competed
in her second Iowa Games!
Last year was awesome! She was at the top of her
age group, with very few 8 and under swimmers
participating at this level. Well.....
this year was slightly different.
She is at the bottom of her age group, with a lot
of fierce competitors. Just as an example, two of the
girls that she swam against each broke more than
one Iowa Games record over the weekend!
Oh, and did I mention the heat?! Iowa is currently
in the middle of a record-setting heat wave, and sitting
in a non-air-conditioned pool house is kind of like
sitting in a very hot sauna!
But, despite all of that, Claire suited up and did her best!
I am so proud of her.
She has the spirit of an athlete, with a heart of gold.
My favorite moment of the whole weekend, was
when Claire noticed a young boy struggling to get out
of the pool (this is a college pool, ISU).
Without hesitation, she leaned over and grabbed
his hand to help him out. That is Claire.
Kind, smart, strong, caring, funny, and fast!
Overall, she had a good weekend. She beat
several of her best times, got to hang out all by herself
with mom on one day and dad on the other,
and gets to say that she is an Iowa Olympian!
Way to go Claire!!
Claire during warm ups. Why so hazy? That is
because it was so hot and humid, I couldn't get
my camera lens to stop fogging over!
Sitting in the stands with me, waiting for her next event.
Claire was the only girl, under the age of 10, from our
team to go to the Iowa Games this year.
Parade of swimmers. She's on the left, above the blue flag.
Coach Kim, who was serving as an official not a coach,
giving Claire a pep talk before her relay.
I am so grateful that I get the opportunity to experience
these great moments with my daughters.
I am so grateful that they are growing up to be strong,
and proud and brave, as a result of these experiences.
Now, if only we could do some of this great
character-building somewhere a little cooler!
