Eindhoven, The Netherlands
"CHAMPS" is what we look forward to at the end of each swim season. It is the big meet where all the teams come together in one venue. Not every swimmer from the league is allowed to swim, however. You have to earn a slot by swimming an event in a pre-determined "qualifying time." CHAMPS is a big deal a
nd an exciting event. It starts with a Parade of Teams. E
ach team is announced and then paraded out on the pool deck - similar to what you see in the Olympics. After all teams have entered the pool deck area, the National Anthems are sung. Yes, I said "AnthemS." We have the unique opportunity to be part of a league that is spread across western Europe. Because most of our meets were held in Germany we always had the American AND German anthems sung. At Champs there were others besides the American anthem but uncertain as to which they were, but most likely the European Union and the Dutch anthems. It is pretty interesting and I think it makes the kids feel like they are in sort of a mini-Olympics.
s with an elite award: He placed in the top five finishers in his age group for the Pentathalon Award, which compiles their best times from throughout the season in their four competitive strokes and the 100 IM.
Rylie was a little upset that she DQ'd on her first event of the competition (her 100 meter I.M.) because she wasn't on her back enough as she touched the wall to turn
into her next stroke. It was a little tough for her to walk away from the event without a medal but Mom and Dad were both so happy with her performance as she took time off of all her previous best times. We are proud of her and know she is a good swimmer. She will work on improving her endurance as this is her biggest downfall. Mom says Rylie likes to 
take a "Sunday Stroll" when she hits the half-way point in a race. She has good technique in all of her strokes, but tuckers out. We have confidence that with more time and practice that her times will increase and are happy that she has good technique in the water.
The two day event is full of excitement. In the end the Rasmussen kids walked away with medals, ribbons, and, most importantly, with time improvements and pride.
February 12-13, 2011
"CHAMPS" is what we look forward to at the end of each swim season. It is the big meet where all the teams come together in one venue. Not every swimmer from the league is allowed to swim, however. You have to earn a slot by swimming an event in a pre-determined "qualifying time." CHAMPS is a big deal a
nd an exciting event. It starts with a Parade of Teams. E
ach team is announced and then paraded out on the pool deck - similar to what you see in the Olympics. After all teams have entered the pool deck area, the National Anthems are sung. Yes, I said "AnthemS." We have the unique opportunity to be part of a league that is spread across western Europe. Because most of our meets were held in Germany we always had the American AND German anthems sung. At Champs there were others besides the American anthem but uncertain as to which they were, but most likely the European Union and the Dutch anthems. It is pretty interesting and I think it makes the kids feel like they are in sort of a mini-Olympics.
Karter was guaranteed to swim in all 8 events because he qualified in each. At this meet there is a requirement to have two heats of ten swimmers. If only 5 kids qualifiy, then the next 15 swimmers with the closest times to qual. time are "pulled up" and invited to swim. Rylie qualified on her 50m backstroke but was pulled up into 3 additional events. There are also 2 relays per age group and coach assigned Karter to swim in two of those. So he swam 10 events in the two day competition. Mom and Dad were worried about fatigue at swimming so much, but in the end it didn't hinder Karter as much as was initially feared. By the end of the competition he came home with six metals. (See blog posting below) One of his most amazing
races was the backstroke, which was a big upset to the competition as Karter outswam THE top 9-yr-old boy swimmer in the whole league and won 1st place. His second best swim was his 200meter I.M. because he was only going into this race with the 7th best seed time, but upset a handful of competetors by pulling ahead and taking 2nd place.
He also walked away from Champ
races was the backstroke, which was a big upset to the competition as Karter outswam THE top 9-yr-old boy swimmer in the whole league and won 1st place. His second best swim was his 200meter I.M. because he was only going into this race with the 7th best seed time, but upset a handful of competetors by pulling ahead and taking 2nd place. 
s with an elite award: He placed in the top five finishers in his age group for the Pentathalon Award, which compiles their best times from throughout the season in their four competitive strokes and the 100 IM.
Rylie was a little upset that she DQ'd on her first event of the competition (her 100 meter I.M.) because she wasn't on her back enough as she touched the wall to turn
into her next stroke. It was a little tough for her to walk away from the event without a medal but Mom and Dad were both so happy with her performance as she took time off of all her previous best times. We are proud of her and know she is a good swimmer. She will work on improving her endurance as this is her biggest downfall. Mom says Rylie likes to 
take a "Sunday Stroll" when she hits the half-way point in a race. She has good technique in all of her strokes, but tuckers out. We have confidence that with more time and practice that her times will increase and are happy that she has good technique in the water.
The two day event is full of excitement. In the end the Rasmussen kids walked away with medals, ribbons, and, most importantly, with time improvements and pride.
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