Congrats to SOBA Spring Junior Olympics Squad

2011 Spring Junior Olympic Recap, by Coach Dede Moore

Progress: We went from only one individual qualifier in 2 events last year to 4 indivduals in 13 events AND 4 relays this year.  WOW!

You can watch all the relays, including finals at liveswim.net

Friday was surprising as Matt did a personal best in the 100 back and got to the consolation finals with a personal best and new team record in the 50 Free. 

Leana had a big science presentation at school that the teacher kept her poster for display (and gave Leana an A).  Unfortunately the presentation made her too late for her best event 50 free where she was seeded 12^th (qualifies for finals)!

After Matt’s 50 free final, the11-12 boys 200 Free Relay (Kyle, Nick, Andrew, and Matt) improved on their JO qualifying time! They edged out the 11-12 girls 200 Free Relay (Bridgette, Gabi, Brooke, and Leana) by about one second, 1:54.28 to 1:55.91! Welcome Andrew and Brooke to their first JO experience on these relays! On liveswim.net, it's boys event 21 heat 6, lane six; and girls event 22 lane 7 lane 5 (might be listed as heats 3 and 4 on liveswim)

Saturday Matt was on the medal stand in 8th place with a team record in the 200 Free.  He was also a consolation finalist in the 50 fly. (events 28 & 34)

Leana qualified second alternate in the 50 fly (18^th out of 85 entries!) and moved up 6 places to 22^nd in 50 back.

Nick did a best time in 50 back but too much competition!

On Sunday Matt smashes his 100 Free time (1:55.01!) and moves up to consolation finals; and scored a 5th place medal in the in 100 fly (1:01.05!), nabbing two more team records. (event 52 is a must see)

The 11-12 girls 200 Medley Relay (Gabi, Brooke, Bridgette, and Leana) did a best time placing 35th of 41 teams (event 56, heat 7 lane 6; might be listed as heat 4).  The 11-12 boys 200 Medley Relay debuted Justin Matsui, who, with Nick, Kyle and Matt won their heat in exciting fashion and almost scored team points finishing 20^th. (event 55, heat 6, lane 6; might be listed as heat 3).

All-in-all, a great SOBA showing!!