GTSA Has Big Weekend in the Bay Area and Around the World

              Friday Night 39 GTSA swimmers participated in the St. Pete Aquatics Friday Night at the Races.  That is the largest number of swimmers the team has taken to a meet in recent memory.  The large number of swimmers led to an even larger number of great swims.  70 of the 106 times a GTSA swimmer hit the pool they finished in a personal best, that is 66% of the time. With those great swims came great finishes, 19 different swimmers finished in the top 8 in at least one event. It was a great way to kick of the long course season, and especially great to see so many GTSA swimmers participate in their first long course meet ever!

                Saturday GTSA joined thousands of others in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.  This is the 4^th year in a row the team has supported this event.  As a team GTSA raised $1,775.00, with Emma Donahue leading the charge.  This day is always a lot of fun filled with friends, family and camaraderie away from the pool.

                While a majority of the team was busy in Tampa Ally Donahue was in the Bahamas representing GTSA and Trinidad at the CARIFTA Games.  Ally participated in 3 individual events, improving every time she hit the pool.  Her first event the 200 Breaststroke led to a 5^th place finish.  She then followed that event with her first medal in the 50 Breaststroke, earning the bronze.  Finally she ended the weekend with a silver medal in the 100 Breaststroke touching the wall only a few tenths away from Gold.  Make sure to congratulate her the next time you see her.

                All in all it was a very busy and successful weekend for GTSA.  The team will return to action in two weeks at the Brandon Blue Wave Long Course Invitational.