Posing for photo with Olympians Ian Crocker and Christine Marshall

The four-hour clinic was comprised of getting to know the athletes and their swim careers, stroke work in the pool, more stroke work, races with the Olympians (how cool is that?), question and answer time with the athletes, and autograph/photo sessions. Each swimmer got a t-shirt – love the back – “I raced a gold medalist today – what did YOU do?”, a bag, 2 DVDs of swim meets the Olympians, posters, a set of Finis goggles and snacks at the end of the swimming portion. I consider it to be an excellent value for the $75 entry fee!

All the goodies my daughter got from the Breakout Swim clinic.

Both Ian Crocker and Christine Marshall have retired from competitive swimming but it is apparent they both still love the sport and did an excellent job connecting with the swimmers. The drills were clearly presented with actionable instructions complete with high fives and compliments – all things that would inspire a young swimmer to be eager to try their best and bring what they learned back to practice.

Drills and practice for each stroke were done and at the end of the “instruction” for a stroke the athletes got their chance to race the Olympians. Ian and Christine were on the blocks side by side with the young swimmers and depending on how old the swimmers were, the swimmers may have gotten a little head start. It was all in good fun and had my daughter talking about it non-stop.

Olympic Swimmer Christine Marshall

I missed the beginning of the clinic – the part where Ian Crocker told his story – as I was out with friends getting a brisk walk in on a sunny day, but I was there for Christine Marshall’s story at the end of the clinic.

Christine is a young woman who certainly beat the odds when it comes to swimming. She was pretty upfront with the kids that she was not the coach’s dream athlete – she was super talented, but made quite a few bad choices along the way to include skipping school and practice, and not focusing enough on her swimming or her studies.

She must have been talented though!! In high school she was the State Champion in the 100 Free and was recruited by Texas A&M to swim in college. She was only given a 60% scholarship her Freshman year, but in college Christine definitely matured and got her act together earning a full scholarship by her senior year.

She talked about her road to the Olympic team. She was not even ranked in the top 10 in her events leading up to the Olympic Trials in 2008. As a matter of fact, she was ranked 50th. She needed to be in the Top 6 if she even had a chance.

One of the points Christine made to the swimmers is that you need to have Goals and that Goals are what keep you on track. Christine made herself a “death sheet” of the top 50 athletes in her races. Throughout the course of the season leading up to the Olympics she would cross off names as she swam faster than her competitors putting her in a confident spot going into Trials. I don’t think she ever expected to be in the top 2 but a top 6 spot was within her reach.

At the Olympic Trials her dream came true. She was in the top 6 and made the US National Team and US Olympic Team at the same time. While she only swam in prelims in the womens’ relay, her relay team took the bronze medal in finals which meant she got a medal, too.

My daughter asked Christine if she was trying for the Olympics this year, and she said “no, that she is trying to decide what path to take next in life.” For the moment she is managing a retail store and coaching gymnastics part-time.

If your swimmer has the opportunity to participate in one of the Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinics – go for it!! There is a different set of athletes for each clinic, but every athlete has a story and something to give back.

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Watch Missy’s 200m gold swim at the FINA Worlds:

Missy Franklin is only 16 but the 6 foot 1 inch has already gained the nickname of Missy the Missile for her impeccable backstroke technique! Her medals at this past week’s FINA Worlds included gold in the 200m backstroke, 400m medley relay and 800m free relay. She also garnered a silver in the 400m free relay and a bronze in the 50m backstroke. Regardless of how things go in next year’s Olympic Games, I think Missy Franklin will join the ranks of Natalie Coughlin and Dara Torres as a mainstay in US Swimming.

Speaking of postitive role models – 43 year old Dara Torres returns to the pool this weekend in what is being called the “Can’t Miss Race” of the Missouri Grand Prix swim meet this weekend. Torres will swim her signature 50 Free against Amanda Wier, Jessica Hardy, Kara Lynn Joyce and a talented field. You can catch live coverage of the meet through the USA Swimming Web Cast.

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First off, why would you want your children doing summer swim? Everyone can do it, it’s affordable, it is great cross training for other sports, its social and it is wonderful for self-esteem! Read my article on 5 Benefits of Joining Summer Swim Team for my complete thoughts why summer swim is so good for kids!

Secondly, once you have taken the plunge and signed your kids up for summer swim team, what do you need to remember for all those meets? Holly at the Volunteer Spot starts us off with a list of 5 Swim Mom Musts and then fellow Swim Mom Jill from Musings from Me adds 5 more really great tips including one I learned the hard way our first season – bring at least one extra towel per swimmer.

Finally, have fun with it! Don’t get wrapped up in the ribbons and results! Encourage your swimmers to do their best, set personal goals and most of all, HAVE FUN this summer.

For even more great tips, check out the newly redesigned USA Swimming website and check out my recommendations on the best places to find swim gear at affordable prices.

While I am not sure of the actual athletes featured in the photo, it is quite possible that both Fanny Durack and Wilhelmina Wylie are in the photo as they were Australia’s first female Olympic medalists in swimming. They finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the 100m freestyle race at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

I am starting a new weekly series on SportsGirlsPlay to take a look back through history at some of the women who have been pioneers in their sports. If you have any old photos or stories of pioneering women in sports, please let us know in the comments or email char@sportsgirlsplay.com

She kicked off her return to competition – and the road to London 2012 in March swimming 3 events (and medaling in all three) in the Austin Grand Prix swimming the 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle. This weekend she is at the  Charlotte UltraSwim swimming again and she started the weekend off with gold in the 100m Butterfly, edging out Felicia Lee – who is 10 years younger than Natalie.

With two more races to go this weekend and two big meets coming up this summer – the U.S. Championships and the Pan Pacific Championships -Natalie seems to be setting a good pace for herself.

Universal Sports is covering the Charlotte Ultraswim and has some good video already:

• Interview with Natalie Coughlin – “I feel like I am on track”
• Coughlin Cruises to Gold in the 100m Butterfly
• Dagny Knutson grabs the 200m Free Gold

I Raced a Gold Medalist Today - What Did You Do?

A few weeks ago we signed my daughter up for the Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinic that was being held at the pool she trains at. She was so excited to get to swim with Olympians Kate Ziegler and Matt Grevers that all she talked about in the weeks leading up the clinic was the clinic. The clinic was yesterday afternoon and let me tell you, it lived up to every last expectation in her mind!

Having Matt Grevers Sign Her Shirt While Wearing His Olympic Medal

Matt Grevers Answering Questions at the Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinic

The clinic was comprised of getting to know the athletes and their swim careers, stroke work in the pool, question and answer time with the athletes, more stroke work, races with the Olympians (how cool is that?) as well as autograph and photo sessions. Each swimmer got a t-shirt – love the back – “I raced a gold medalist today – what did YOU do?”, a bag, 2 DVDs of swim meets the Olympians and other were swimming in, and athlete bio cards. Great value for the $65 clinic fee!!

Kate Ziegler and Matt Grevers signing autographs

Clinics like the Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinic can be such a great way to really connect athletes with their heroes, boost their confidence and help reinforce the positives in their individual sports.

Has your athlete done a clinic like this? Did you think it was beneficial? Personally, I know the memories from yesterday’s clinic will not be forgotten any time soon!

Move over Natalie Coughlin, there is a new star in my 8 year old daughter’s eyes – Chloe Sutton. We watched Chloe win the 800m and 200m freestyle during Day 1 of  the Columbus Grand Prix (televised on Universal Sports) and she is star struck. My daughter loves freestyle and swam  a 500Y for time for the first time a few weeks ago. I was really surprised at how intently she watched every race and had something to say about each of them. Since watching the meet, she can’t stop talking about Chloe.

Chloe Sutton recently turned pro at age 18 – foregoing her college scholarship eligibility, and she is the current leader in the US Grand Prix Series. Watch the clip below for more on Chloe and her decision to go pro.

Have a great weekend!