It was great to be back in Austin for the Texas Invitational.  Lara, Whitney Myers and I were trying to see how we fit in.  We weren’t on the University of Arizona team, but we were with them.  Lara and Whitney weren’t trying to get any NCAA cut times, so they had to find their own goals for this meet, as post NCAA eligibility swimmers.  After traveling and competing around the world the past 6 weeks, the girls did themselves proud.  On the first day, Lara won the 50 free in a new suit that meets the standards for 2010.  She went a 22.44.  I was proud that she won that race, her baby.
The second day was the 100 back, which Lara just swam in prelims since she didn’t swim it very well.  But onto the third day and she attacked the 100 yard free.  It was a thrill to watch.  She was top seed out of pre-lims with a 49.22.  I figured her body would fatigue out, but she swam hard the whole time and was pleased with that performance.  I had to chuckle because she swam in the wrong lane.  Luckily it did not DQ her for finals, but I thought it was fairly amusing.  I returned to El Paso after prelims on Saturday, so one of the Mom’s promised to text me the results.  And I was home in time to check the results live online.  Ah, technology!  Lara finished fourth with a 49.36.  She apparently fatigued at the end.
I spoke with Lara about the race and she said that her coach, Rocket was happy with the way she swam.  He told her to go all out the third lap, and she was too fatigued to keep the pace for the last lap.  But when she’s better rested, I know that she can conquer that race.  You see, that race has always been a bit of a block for Lara.  She did not have the full confidence that she could swim the 100 free well.  But with everything that’s happened the last few weeks and coming on this trip as a post grad, her confidence is definitely increasing that she’s a world class swimmer.  And she’ll be a force to reckon with.  Lara, great things are on the way for you!

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