Monday, March 23, 2009

My Age Group Champion


Virginia Swimming Age Group Championships
Freedom Aquatic Center, George Mason University
March 19-22, 2009

Athletes registered with Virginia Swimming: 6000
Qualified to swim at the state championships: 799

And we were there...


All year long, swimmers train and compete and compete and train, all in the hopes of making it to the state championships.  Back in the fall, Bub earned his first qualifying time, and in the months that followed, he earned himself a full docket at this past weekend's meet.  He swam 8 individual events (and 4 team relays) in the 10 & Under category, and... drum roll please... he scored personal best times in each end every one.  Combined, he cut a total of 24.24 seconds!

 One year ago, Bub's scores placed him in the bottom third of Virginia's registered swimmers.  This weekend, however, he proved that he's up there with the fastest in the state!


In the 500 yard Freestyle, he placed 12th in the state of Virginia.
In the 200 yard Freestyle, he tied for 9th.
In the 100 yard Individual Medley, he took 15th place.
In the 50 yard Butterfly, he tied for 11th place (& got an AAA time!).
In the 100 yard Freestyle, he took 11th place.
In the 200 yard IM, he took 12th place.
In the 100 yard Backstroke, he took 20th place (before the race he was in 45th place!)
And in the 100 yard Butterfly, Bub placed 7th in the state-wide competition (he also got an AAA time!)!

And on top of all that, he smoked his biggest racing rival-- a boy he's been "chasing" for almost 4 years (3 summers + 1 year of year-round swimming) -- in 4 separate events... what a weekend!!


To Bub, my Age Group Champion...

Back before the foundation of time, the LORD decided that I would be your mom.  How I could ever deserve such a gift I'll never know.  All I do know is that He chose me, and for that I will ever be grateful.  Your are a blessing... a priceless & precious gift-- ten years ago, a tiny baby boy, my firstborn... and for all time, a treasure of endless worth.

You, my dear, dear Bub, mean more to me that I can ever say.
My heart is overflowing, it is bursting at the seams, it is popping with pride.
I am so, so proud of you and of the young man you've become.
You are wonderful in every way...
and you are my champion.

Congratulations, babe!
I love you~

4 comments:

Leslie said...

Way to go, Benvereen! I am SOOOO proud of you! Love, Aunt Leslie

Anonymous said...

there's not much I can add to Mom's sentiments. You did an awesome job. Pops and I were so excited to be there and are so proud of you. All our prayers were answered in such a positive way! God Is Good, All The Time! What a great 4 days! Now on to long course. We're looking forward to seeing both you and Noman there. Love to all.

gretchen said...

Just wish we could've been there to root you on. Know that we were there in spirit. We love you. Congratulations. We are so proud of you.

Jeremy, Gretchen, Josh, & Sam - Shiloh too.

Anonymous said...

Way to go Benjamin. Your mom has told us what a great job you did this weekend and Poppa and I are soooo very proud. Who would have dreamed that this weekend was to happen then you were born a mere 10 years and 5 months ago. Look forward to being in the pool with you and your brothers this summer but can guarantee there will be no races.