10&Under Championships - Weekend Rround Up

There’s so much to celebrate from this weekend, and we want to make sure everyone gets their moment! 

 

First and foremost—our incredible parents!

 

We truly have the best families. The support, kindness, and energy from our parents make this team so special. We are incredibly lucky to have a group that lifts each other up, cheers every swimmer on, and makes this journey so much fun.

 

A huge thank you to Nicole Eckhardt for organizing an unforgettable team dinner on Saturday night! It was an absolute blast, and we’re already planning more—because honestly, we just love being together. The kids love each other, the parents support each other, and we’re not just racing fast swimmers—we’re raising exceptional humans.

 

Shout-outs to our amazing volunteers:

    •    Wei & Nora—thank you for stepping up to time! We couldn’t do it without you.

    •    Nicole & Nora—for getting to the pool early on Sunday to save seats, ensuring our team had the best view to cheer and support each other.

    •    Jessica R.—for keeping the team motivated, on track, and inspired, all while making sure we didn’t forget the importance of ice cream sundaes (we totally agree!). Wish we had photos of the kids soaking up every moment!

    •    Every single parent who took turns holding and entertaining Baby Solo so parents and athletes could focus—we truly couldn’t do this without you!

 

Swimmer Highlights

    •    Alex—What a warrior! After battling two weeks of the flu and competing in back-to-back meets, he may not have hit his best times, but he showed up with heart, effort, and leadership. From writing silly songs, keeping the team entertained with paper airplanes and games, to organizing storytime for Baby Solo, he was our Storyteller-in-Chief. And at just 9, he has three more opportunities to make a big impact at 10&Under Champs. Here’s to staying healthy, staying focused, and having fun—the times will follow!

    •    Carter—We missed you so much! The flu hit at the worst time, but Carter still found a way to cheer us on from RI. No one wanted to be at Champs more, and we can’t wait to see him back for Long Course Champs this summer and Short Course Champs next winter.

 

Part 2: Spotlight on Simone: A True Fighter & Rising Star

 

We have to take a special moment to celebrate Simone, our only 9-year-old girl at New England Champs, who had an absolutely phenomenal meet! Four events, four best times—every single swim was her best.

 

What makes this even more inspiring is her journey to get here. Last year, she was on track to dominate the 8&Under division, but just weeks before Championships, she suffered a devastating elbow injury in gymnastics that forced her to stop swimming. It was heartbreaking—not just for her, but for the entire team. But instead of letting it hold her back, Simone put in the work—she tackled rehab, relearned how to dive, how to swim; she  essentially had to start over after major orthopedic surgery. A big surgery for a very little person, but as small as she is, her heart is enormous.

 

And this weekend? She showed up and proved what resilience looks like.

    •    🏆 50 Freestyle – 3rd Overall for 9&Unders (18th Overall in New England!) 🔥 .52 second drop!

    •    💪 100 Freestyle – 5th Overall for 9&Unders 🚀 1.28 second drop!

    •    🔥 50 Backstroke – 10th Overall for 9&Unders 💥 1.56 second drop!

    •    💥 100 Backstroke – 6th Overall for 9&Unders (Moved from 33rd to 28th Overall in New England!) ⬇️ 1 second drop!

 

Simone’s meet was a true testament to her strength, determination, and love for this sport. She’s just getting started, and we cannot wait to see where she goes from here.

 

Way to go, Simone! Your team is SO proud of you!

 

Simone’s PS: Her & Our Mission as a Team

 

Simone’s remarkable performance this weekend is just the beginning—she has two more 10&under championships ahead, and her biggest wish for this summer and next winter? To have a girls’ relay and a mixed relay.

 

As a team and as coaches, that is our job. Let’s deliver that team—because every swimmer deserves to experience the power of championships, relays, the excitement of racing for each other, and the unforgettable moments that come with being part of something bigger.

 

Simone has set the goal. Now, let’s make it happen. 💙💛🔥

 

Part 3: Spotlight on Owen: Huge Drops & Big Moves in the Rankings!

 

Owen had an incredible championship weekend, making huge time drops, climbing the New England rankings, and showing what it means to step up when it counts!

    •    🔥 50 Butterfly – 7th Overall for 9&Unders (22nd Overall in New England!) 🚀 2.12 second drop! (Improved from 29th to 22nd in NE!)

    •    💪 200 Freestyle – 4.39 second drop! ⬆️ Improved seed from 48th to 44th!

    •    Most impressive? Made the bonus cut the weekend prior by dropping 5.38 seconds, qualifying as a bonus event!

    •    💥 100 Butterfly – 10th Overall for 9&Unders (31st Overall in New England!) 🔥 1.8 second drop!

    •    Most incredible part? Made the 100 Fly cut the previous weekend in Cape Cod in a time trial, racing himself—and dropped 12.39 seconds! Over 13 seconds in two weekends!

 

Owen’s determination, racing instincts, and fearless attitude were on full display. Huge congrats on an amazing weekend—he’s just getting started! 🚀👏💪

 

Let’s Build Our 10&Under Team: A Personal Call to Action from Owen Eckhardt

 

This past weekend was awesome, but it also got Owen thinking about what’s next. He has two more 10&Under Championships ahead, and this year, he’s making some changes—last summer, he took time off from swimming, but this year, he’s working with his swim coaches to balance lacrosse and swim so he can keep improving.

 

One thing he really wants? A bigger boys’ relay.

 

“I want more relays. It’s just more fun when we have a full team. I want to see everyone at meets—not just to race, but to go for cuts, push each other, and get better together. Even though we were missing Carter and were one swimmer short of a relay this weekend, it was still fun—but next time, I want us to actually race together and have multiple relays to cheer for.”

 

Let’s do this for Owen. Let’s do this for the team. Let’s do this for you.

 

10&Unders—if this is you, text or email Hillary so we can set up a time to meet. Let’s train hard, show up, and build this team. 💪💙💛

 

Sebastian: Redefining What 8-Year-Olds Can Do & Making New England Swimming Faster

 

With no official 8&Under scoring, rankings, or cut times anymore, Sebastian stepped up to race against older, more experienced swimmers—and he delivered. He steadily dropped time, climbed the rankings, and proved that 8-year-olds can not only compete in an older age group but help push the pace of New England swimming forward.

 

And the most exciting part? He still has FIVE more 10&Under New England Championships ahead!

 

🔥 200 IM – Best Time by 6 Seconds!

    •    1st for 8&Unders & 3rd for 9&Unders

    •    15th overall in New England—racing against 9- & 10-year-olds!

    •    The 2024 8&Under New England Champion swam a 2:50.6—Sebastian swam a 2:48.9!

 

💥 100 Freestyle – Best Time by 1.10 Seconds!

    •    3rd Overall for 9&Unders & 1st for 8&Unders!

    •    23rd overall in New England for all 9- & 10-year-olds!

    •    The 2024 8&Under New England Champion swam a 1:10.09—Sebastian swam faster!

 

🔥 100 Breaststroke – Best Time by 2.40 Seconds!

    •    1st for 8&Unders & 3rd for 9&Unders!

    •    20th overall in New England, moving up 5 spots in the rankings!

 

💪 200 Freestyle – 4th for 9&Unders & 1st for 8&Unders!

    •    Finished with a 2:31.22

    •    20th overall in New England!

    •    The 2024 8&Under New England Champion swam a 2:33.76—Sebastian swam faster, even while adding time!

 

🔥 100 Butterfly – Best Time by 2.77 Seconds!

    •    1st for 8&Unders & 9th for 9&Unders!

    •    Moved up 4 spots in the rankings, jumping from 38th to 34th in New England!

    •    The 2024 8&Under New England Champion swam a 1:33.25—Sebastian swam a 1:28.81, five seconds faster!

 

💥 100 Backstroke – Best Time!

    •    2nd Overall in New England for 9&Unders!

    •    1st for 8&Unders!

    •    22nd overall in New England!

    •    The 2024 8&Under New England Champion swam a 1:21.13—Sebastian swam a 1:20.23!

 

🏆 Total Points Scored: 23

 

Sebastian isn’t just competing—he’s making New England swimming faster. He’s proving that younger swimmers can thrive in tougher competition, set new standards, and challenge the best.

 

With five more 10&Under New England Championships ahead, the best is yet to come! 💪🔥🏊‍♂️