The Michigan Open - A Swimmer's Perspective

written by Matt Eshleman

The travel meet that we just had to Michigan was amazing. It was cool, fun, and exciting. The thing about this meet is that not only was it a prelims-final meet. It was a fantastic experience. I think that I learned a lot from this meet. I learned that Ray is really good at getting lost, apparently there is such a thing as a C final, and when you travel Ray makes sure you take a nap during the day.

            I think the trip started off well, we were all so happy to be at the airport at 6:15 AM.  Although getting off the plane and immediately having a short little practice isn't that much fun, we did go to eat a giant lunch afterwards. Then that night everyone who did the mile rocked and we partied with some Italian food. The night couldn't have been any better. Then, Ray got lost looking for a Super Market; yes the van had a GPS. But the next day was tons of fun. Even though we were all tired we made the best out of the meet that we could. We went to eat at Jimmy Johns which is one of the best sub shops ever. That is until you eat there three times in two days. It started to taste a bit gross. 

           Sunday went pretty much the same as Sat. However, we had a mad rush to the airport which got a bit crazy but we luckily made the flight. The look on all of the security guards faces was priceless. They had no idea why we were in such a rush and so many of us. We eventually made it back to VA around 12:45 in the morning. This kind of stunk because we had school the next day. Although there was a bright side to returning, I could finally stop hearing all the girls call Ian, Whittle Ian. ' Cause let me tell you, when you hear eight girls call one guy that constantly for three days it starts to get a bit annoying. Although everyone on the trip was tons of fun though. 

What was interesting about Michigan was that it snowed every night and people don't freak out like they do here. It was cool to watch the snow fall every night because it was so pretty and we don't get snow that often here. The funny part about Michigan is their street lights. I think the government believes they are really bad drivers because at all of the main intersections there were two sets of lights for you. So if the light turned red you would then see a second light ten feet ahead of it turning red. Not sure why they put their lights like that but it was very amusing. Mr. Rogione and I got a kick out of it every time. Especially sense the one light would turn red while the other was still yellow so it was confusing whether or not you were allowed to go.  

            The reason I think the trip was so beneficial for us is because it brought us to a new reality. We're all on Fish because we want to improve and get really fast, so we can beat everyone. However, then there's the next level that some of us want to reach. All of us that went to Michigan are striving for top meets in the country. Although some of us are farther off then others it's still a goal that we have. And this meet was a perfect simulation of traveling to a big meet. 

            First, there are prelims and finals and you actually have to go all out to make finals unlike some meets. Next, we're sleeping in a hotel and sharing rooms so you're going to be tired. This is really hard to overcome but we did a really good job of it. Next, you're not facing the same people over and over again. We got to see new faces so there were no grudge matches going on between us and a friend on another team. I think the part about seeing new faces was really the best part of the trip. Instead of going up to the blocks thinking, oh yay I get to race so and so again, which actually is very diminishing. For me every time I went to the blocks I was always thinking that it was my race and none of these guys know me so they are about to get a surprise from the outside lane. Finally, when you put all of these factors together it is just another great experience in your life that you will remember forever. Michigan was a great meet for all us to really show what we had in us. Now we just have to keep practicing and go back next year and do an even better job....Maybe Jimmy Johns will have relocated and we can just go to Subway. 
London 2012

the FISH Lines

Fundraising

Volunteer Opportunities

Fish Schedule

News from USA Swimming

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Monika A. Paris published on February 28, 2011 5:37 PM.

the FISH SCRIP Program was the previous entry in this blog.

2011 FISH Swim-A-Thon has been kicked off! is the next entry in this blog.

Find recent news on the main page or look in the news archives to find all content.