Saturday morning update

Enjoyed another great session on deck. Unbelievably for the first time at this meet my shoes were soaked. And it's the one day I didn't bring an extra pair of socks. Being off tonight really threw off my thinking process!


Swim officials have learned something about drying wet shoes. Newspaper works best. In fact, strips of newspaper work even better. I'm not sure what we'll do when newsprint goes away completely.


Here are a few more photos from today, trying to give you some different views from around and under the pool area.


It takes an army of young girls and boys to keep things moving. They are separated into teams who carry small laundry baskets up and down the steps filled with clothes, shoes, ipods, headphones, etc...from the competitors in the water. This morning during the Men's 50 Free, they were running underneath to have things ready when the heats finished, then running back for the next round.

This photo mosaic is in the Aquazone filled with photos submitted by people around the country. John Raker is in the center photo on the right, on the starting blocks - he is the second one in in the white cap. He's also a lot smaller than he is now. In the big picture it's located around the middle of the "s" in "swimming" then along the blue line in the logo.

This is the view from the main stairs leading to the pool deck on the start end by lane 9.

 Nathan Adrian's signature - winner of the 100 free.

THE BEST Moment of Trials

Great prelims this morning in lane 4. Standing within inches of Lochte, Phelps & Soni,  I couldn't look at them although I thought about leaning over to bump shoulders - then I thought better of that idea so that I could still give a report from my assignment on deck tonight instead of from the airport headed home!


THE best moment of these Trials was a swim-off for 17th place in the women's 200 breast. This was for the 1st alternate and it was louder than at any other time in during any prelims. It matched an All-American college athlete from Louisville against a 14 year old wearing a practice suit (not the high tech down to the knees). This young lady was grinning ear to ear as she stood next to me getting ready. She looked a little frantic as she heard the short whistles for "get ready." I said: "Don't worry, they'll wait for you. Take your time." She was in awe of the noise and just excited to be there. The noise was deafening from the small crowd still left, so much so that the ladies didn't hear the long whistle to get on the blocks.


The 14 year old won and the place erupted again. Then the priceless moment of the BEST moment - a group of spectators, young girls probably 14 years old and younger, were reaching out for this "champion's" autograph. She was elated - surprised - humbled - and simply enjoying the moment. That is the best of USA Swimming.


Here is a collection of photos from my 6th floor perch at Thursday night finals as well as some from deck this morning. I've got some videos to upload later and will take more video of some races on Saturday night.


Friday Finals Assignment: Start end, lane 8