First of all, sorry to all of you for not updating my blogs on my break. I needed a real break from all of swimming, and it was wonderful. Hard to watch the Olympics though, but it was still exciting! Especially that 400m Free Relay race. Jaseon Lezak.... A man who has worked so hard for this, and has been in the hardest 4 years funk I have seen. If you guys can remember his performance in 2004, well, lets just say, “best not be remembered”. Even last year, he still wasn’t being impressive. That swim though, made me so happy for him. I tip my hat to you my friend. Also a tip of my hat goes to my teammates that were on my Japan trip that made the Olympic team. Rebecca Soni, Allison Schmitt, Gil Stovall, Christine Magnuson, and Kim Vandenburg. Way to go guys. Also, my buddy Matt Grevers. Good work man. Of course, I have to give one to Michael Phelps. While, Im not his biggest fan, I love what he is doing for our sport, and really getting kids interested in what we do, and also the “common folk” now have swimming on the radar. Thanks man.

    On my break, I have had a chance to relax, play LOTS of golf, spend some time home with my family, go to lots of weddings, and buy a new car. (Yes, the Ford Taurus died) R.I.P. However, now I am a proud owner of a 2005 Saab Convertible, which has been my dream car ever since I was little. I was a strange boy. My first car was a Saab, and my parents both drive them too. I’ll post pictures of it later.

    One thing that I was really exciting, was seeing the improvements to the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center. We received a new water filters, and a UV system, which lowers the level of chlorine in the water, but still keeping it very clean. Also, new bulkheads and blocks. FINALLY!!!

    Our first day of practice was an interesting one. About 70% of the kids I have NEVER seen before. Once again, thanks Pheps. Lots of Nicolet kids... thanks STEVE haha. Some exciting prospects though, Francisco, a foreign exchange student to Riverside High School, is a fantastic butterflier, actually, one of the best in Portugal! Also, Victor Rono, who is also from Riverside, born in Kenya, and only been swimming for 2 years, already goes 52 in the 100 freestyle. This is someone that coaches salivate over. Can you say potential? Also, a boy whose father got a job here, and was previously at Mach 3 Flyers, a team up in Minnesota. His name is pronounced “sho”, but it think its spelled, Xo. I can’t remember. Sorry man if you’re reading this! Anyways, he’s a solid breaststroker, that we look forwards to having! There’s a few other boys that I have watched in practice, that can be really good too, I just don’t know your names yet! Anyways, WELCOME BACK, and I look forwards to another exciting season!!!