NAU senior swimmer Kristin Jones and senior diver Holly Frost will be chronicling their final conference meet from the WAC Swimming & Diving Championships from San Antonio. The first entry comes from Jones:
The atmosphere in the Palo Alto swimming pool was electrifying last night – from the moment the Lumberjacks walked inside we could feel the energy flowing through us. After warming up in the competition pool, the team could feel the excitement of the meet growing, and it was gaining momentum. While all the swimmers were going through the tediously long task of inching their tiny racing suits up and over their shoulders, we were all reflecting on what Coach Johns had told each of us earlier in the day, “light the spark”. Well folks, after the 200 Medley Relay, I'd say the Spark was Lit. The first race was all that we needed it to be – intense, inspiring, and above all fast. Fiona led the girls with an incredible 50 backstroke, followed by Jordan's fastest 50 breaststroke in the history of the program then came Rachel Palmers thunderous 50 fly, and finally the anchoring all-star – Kelsey Loy. The relay finished in 3rd place overall, far exceeding the teams expectations.
After the relay I could feel the emotion and excitement growing in each member of the team, every comment that was made was positive and full of energy and enthusiasm. In between the two relays, a number of ladies competed in time trials. Most of the girls' jaws dropped when they looked at the timing board – we had freshman Meagan Morrison drop two seconds from her lifetime best in the 200 I.M., Caitlin Wright dropped about the same in the 200 Free, Emily Lewandowski dropped in her 100 fly, as did Alexis Juergens; overall the freshmen class kicked some (you know what!). The other time trialers (myself included!) all had great swims and I am looking forward to watching what they will be able to do later in the week!
After the excitement of the time trials died down for a quick moment, the 800 Free Relay was pumped and ready to race. The lead-off for the relay was a little shocking for all the teams next to them in the pool – needless to say, Emma Lowther gave us what we needed – an early lead. The next two members of the relay, Rachel Palmer and Chalene Dirks-Ryan, held on to that lead and started to inch further ahead of the other racers. When Krista Maier dove in slightly ahead of the San Jose State University's anchoring swimmer, our hearts jumped into our throats. I literally felt light headed when I stood up to cheer, I had to grab onto something to stabilize myself. The next 1:49 seconds went by in a blur, actually – a blur. Krista looked great throughout the race, the only problem was that SJSU was only a few hundredths behind her … and there was only 50 yards left in the race. The finish was very close – with NAU taking first place in a 7:18.76 and SJSU touching in 2nd place with a 7:18.99. Overall, the team mentality was right where it needed to be tonight, and the “spark” that Coach Johns was hoping for – well it's about to turn into a raging bonfire. It's going to be one of those meets that you never forget, whatever happens throughout the rest of the Championship, we will know that we all gave it our whole hearts, and we left nothing in the pool. I am so proud to be a part of this team, at this time, and know that these memories will stay with me throughout my life.
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