A Sentimental Moment

I am going to make you all indulge me in a bit of sisterly pride. My youngest sister Jenny is a freshman at the University of Tennessee this year and she's on a full ride scholarship for swimming. This year at the South Eastern Conference Championships, she placed 2nd in the 100 yard backstroke. 2ND! And it was the third fastest time in the NCAA this year, but the girls who beat her are British and French, so that made Jen the fastest American in the entire NCAA.

(In her element. She's scary good.)

Now, she's at the NCAA championships this week and she swam the 100 yard backstroke today and placed ninth, which is still AMAZING, seeing as how SECs were like three weeks ago and the fact that Jen is only a FRESHMAN. Her time status in the NCAA might have changed, but the fact remains that she had it! Amazing.
She's been on the National Team before (WHAT?!?!? That's just crazy right there.) and went to the Olympic Trials last year and placed 11th and this summer she has a national meet that is a selection meet for the World Games team, and we think that Jen has a pretty decent shot at making that team. Oh, did I mention that this year the World Games are in ROME?!?!?!?

(Looks good, doesn't it? This was before her first meet on the National Team. They sent a box full of Team USA stuff and she had to try this on. Fits too well. Look out, London 2012!)

Yeah, like I said, Jenny is amazing. I am so proud of her for not only her amazing swimming ability, but for her natural instinct to smile through all of the stress and ups and downs and even if things don't turn out the way she wants, she is always so positive and ready to get back in the pool and work harder. She is my hero.

Love you, Jen! You're the real champion to me!