Swimming with the Olympians!

Today we had the pleasure to meet and spend the afternoon with three American heroes. Unlike other "professional" athletes, whom kids decide to idolize without ever meeting them, today's interaction with three of the U.S.'s most outstanding swimmers will be a day we won't soon forget.

Here are three people in their mid-20's -- Peter Vanderkaay, 25, a two-time Olympian with two gold medals; his brother Alex Vanderkaay, 23, a two-time NCAA champion; and Megan Jendrick, 25, who won two gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Peter just happened to have his name up on the wall at the Oakland University pool, holding three pool records there: the 100, 200 and 500 free. Peter and Alex are natives of Rochester, Michigan, and U of Michigan alums. How sad that their alma mater lost today (to STATE! hee hee). Ahem.

These are three well-spoken, genuinely nice people, who understand the importance of getting kids excited and keeping them motivated about their chosen sport of swimming. As they tell it, they weren't superstars the moment someone threw them in the pool. They each had their challenges and had to work hard to achieve their moments on the medal stands.

Here also, were 96 well behaved members of USA swimming or other Michigan swim leagues, who listened, did as the champions told, and just had fun with the afternoon. There was no heckling from the bleachers, nothing being thrown, no parents fighting. Nothing happened that would make headlines, or, refreshingly, the Auburn Hills police blotter. Well-behaved kids, supportive parents, smart, well-spoken champions, sharing their sport during a rainy October afternoon.

When we first signed up, I thought this would be a good way to get Lexy charged up for the Fall swim season. After it was over, I realized how much differently these athletes present themselves than those we're used to seeing. I think the pendulum needs to swing in the other direction. Outstanding role models for kids are out there -- we just have to look hard to find them.

During the introductions, all three swimmers took questions about their background, training regimens, and shared funny and personal stories. Then the swimmers suited up and joined the kids in the pool. They each spent time on their best stroke (Peter, freestyle; Megan, breaststroke; Alex, butterfly) and then they all did a backstroke session. After each instructional session, the kids got to race the champions in a one-length heat. How fun it was to watch 6'4" Peter Vanderkaay give the kids nearly a 3/4 length headstart and still beat them!

Lexy races Peter Vanderkaay -- freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr1TrTb24fA

I missed the start of this race, but caught it in the middle. Lexy is on the left, in the back.

Lexy races Megan Jendrick -- breaststroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcBUPKyyFY

It was so fun to find out that another CUDA family, the Bollands, were there too. In this race against Alex Vanderkaay, Lexy is on the left and Thomas Bolland is on the right. It's a CUDA double-team!

Lexy races Alex Vanderkaay -- butterfly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBzOO1MMvcc

Lexy races Alex Vanderkaay -- backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTy0oAd5oU

Afterward, the champions were so gracious about autographing everything in sight! Don't they all have beautiful smiles?

Megan Jendrick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qaGLIA0oZ4

Alex and Peter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4xhC9OTqdA

I would highly recommend this athlete interaction with anyone who is on the fence about it. It was definitely worth the registration fee and the trip.