Wow...

One week ago Tony Caldwell jumps in and goes 52.45 in the 100 back. Four tenths slower than his current school record. We were happy to see him scoring us 4th place points again at the conference meet, but we all hoped for a little more - especially after the senior year he had put together. Today, he leads off our 400 medley relay in a 52.98 - a tough start to the day. He was out in a 25.5 (which is good) but there was an obvious struggle to bring it home (he simply was trying too hard). About an hour later (and a 200 Medley Relay under his belt) he jumps in and goes out in a 26.4 and ends up posting a 53.00. Way too slow going out (but 26.6 on the way home). Twenty minutes later it's time for his last chance, a 100 Back Time Trial. His last words had something to do with "not feeling it today but I'm going to go out FAST," to which I replied, "just breath a lot that first 50, get enough oxygen to hold on (pause, and pause again)... pleeease" Well, he went out in 25.31 - and it looks easy - and my heart rate just about doubles. As I am watching the second 50 unfold, I like the pace he is keeping, but notice the fatigue of a 3rd 100 is setting in... then a quick look at the clock and I see 48...49... then back down to Tony... then he touches... and then the clock pauses for what seems like an eternity... finally...

51.88! (New School Record and nearly a lock to go to the NCAA meet!)

Holy cow... I can't stop shaking...

Thirty minutes later (and still kind of shaky) Adam Petro jumps in for his 200 fly and goes out in a 54.99 - a full second slower than his 1:54.00 was out one week ago... but I can't stop smiling b/c Adam's last 50 all year has been between a 30 and 32 (that isn't good). So now I can tell he is finally trying what we have been talking about... something new and maybe something better. I watch the next 50 come in at 29.09 - and he is at 1:24.08. Will he have the last 50? Heck yeah! He swims in, touches the wall, and goes 1:53.62 (29.54!)

Now, in 2005 we went many times that "had always made the meet before," but ended up not making them that year. In fact, Caldwell still holds the fastest 100 back time in the history of Division III swimming to never make the meet. But this year, I feel confident these two will make it.

Houston 2007 - I believe the Little Giants are back! Caldwell's time is 9th right now and Petro's is 11th (with about 18 invited those are very good places to be).

There were many other great swims today, including the 200 Medley Relay dropping another tenth to go 1:34.60 (probably will end up top 15 in the country!) but those two highlights had to be written about before I could fall asleep. It was fun!

-PHC