Age Group 1 December Meet Wrap-up

AG1: Candy Cane Classic Recap

What a weekend at the Candy Cane Classic ~ three days and five sessions of early mornings, late nights, and a lot of racing… our swimmers rose to the occasion!

Multiple day competition weekends require intentional preparation, consistent fueling, rest between sessions, mental focus, warm-ups and warm-downs... sometimes more yardage than we’ve ever done in 48 hours! Many athletes raced events twice a day, which is demanding, yet valuable. 

Meets like this are a key part of swimmer development, and it’s important to remember that when we sign up for prelims/finals-style meets, we are committing to all five sessions. That commitment allows athletes to gain critical experience managing their energy, bodies, and mindset across multiple days of racing.

Before the meet, I asked each swimmer to write down three personal goals. They took this seriously, thoughtfully reflecting, sharing them with me, and committing to reviewing those goals before and after their races. That level of ownership and attention to detail showed throughout the weekend and made a difference with technique and race strategy.

We saw substantial time drops, but even more importantly, we saw excellent attitudes. Long weekends like this test our resilience, and our swimmers consistently showed positivity, grit, and focus. Those attitudes are contagious and help elevate the entire team. We continue to push forward together, racing with purpose, supporting one another, and using our teammates to make us better.

I was proud of how our athletes represented AG1. Being courteous to officials and fellow competitors, staying engaged on deck, having a sense of humor and seeing the bigger picture when things got tough, and handling both successes and challenges with maturity.

Thank you to our families for your support behind the scenes… helping with nutrition, rest, logistics, and encouragement throughout a demanding weekend. As we move into the holiday season, our priorities are staying healthy, enjoying time with family, and carrying this momentum forward. 

Happy holidays and great job everyone!

Coach Liz