States -- Day 2 August 1, 2009

Today was what we affectionately call a "learning experience." It's too bad we have to have a learning experience at States, but it won't be easily forgotten.

But before we get to the bad news, see if you can guess what my favorite time is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmxHnrGVD6o This is a triple whammy video, because not only do you get to see my favorite time, but you also get to see what a warm up looks like at States -- steer clear of all those flailing elbows! And, hanging from the diving platforms, you'll see a CUDA banner prominently displayed, as CUDA and Plymouth-Canton Cruisers are the co-hosts of the 2009 State Meet. Go CUDA!

Lexy's first event today was the 400 Meter Medley relay, with each team member swimming a different stroke for 100 Meters. Lexy's leg was the breaststroke. Since I was on deck timing, I couldn't see how they finished, but I looked over to their lane and saw Coach Hall explaining something. Next thing I knew, Lexy was walking past me without saying anything. The red tint under her eyebrows gave it away--they had been disqualified. With only eight teams competing, they were guaranteed a medal as long as they swam a legal event. Later, we learned the reasons for the DQ -- Lexy false started and, when she did, she dove too deep. To get back up to the surface, she took an extra -- and illegal -- stroke under water. What a heartbreaker.

When you watch this video, Jenny Yu is the first swimmer - backstroke. Lexy is second -- you can see here adjusting her goggles, and then after she dives in you can see the first and second stroke clearly, and then the Marshall's arm FLIES up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaIK303mHxE

We hoped that the effect of the DQ would wear off by the time she swam her individual 100 breaststroke event, but no such luck. Lexy swam about 2 seconds slower than her qualifying time, and finished last. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWgGEoF0zoA

We had dinner reservations at a great restaurant in Ann Arbor -- the Gandy Dancer. The restaurant is in a restored historic train depot (on Depot Street, how original). A Gandy Dancer is a type of train car. We had a wonderful table overlooking the rails, and an Amtrak passenger train went by when we were enjoying our dinner. And dinner itself was a wonderful experience: from the Sicilian Calamari to the Martha's Vineyard salads to the seafood entrees and dessert, we didn't have one complaint. The service was great, too. This is one restaurant we know we will visit again. And, it took Lexy's mind off her less-than-stellar day in the pool.

When we got back to our hotel, some of the other CUDA parents invited us out to the patio to enjoy some conversation and a few beers. The mosquitos were biting so I turned in early, but Ed got to get to know some of the other parents, and it was overall a good end to a disappointing day.