Women’s 200 free – 11 heats; Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland, Lauren Perdue in Heat 1; Lia Neal, Missy Franklin, Katie Hoff, Kate Ziegler in Heat 2; Katie Ledecky, Allison Schmitt, Elizabeth Beisel, Kathleen Hersey in Heat 3.
Missy & Katie…
Allison…
Men’s 200 fly – 14 heats; Ryan Feeley in Heat 11; Dakota Hodgson (in a hot pink suit) in Heat 12; Tyler Clary & Davis Tarwater in Heat 13; Michael Phelps in Heat 14.
Tyler & Davis…
Michael…
Women’s 200 IM – 13 heats; Elizabeth Pelton in Heat 11; Caitlin Leverenz in Heat 12; Ariana Kukors & Elizabeth Beisel in Heat 13.
Elizabeth B…
AquaZone/Hilton:
The first couple of days of Trials, we ate lunch at the concessions area in the AquaZone. Unfortunately, most of the food was fried. That is expected at a concessions area, I realize, but most of the attendees were athletes. I kind of expected some healthier options. By the third day, we were grossed out at the thought of another day of fried food, so we walked across the street to the Hilton to check out what might be available there.
We were standing at the deli/gift shop in the lobby looking at the sandwiches, when Ryan whispered, “Mom – there’s Ricky Berens!” Ricky is one of my favorite swimmers. He always has a smile on his face. And there he was, only a few feet from us, ALL BY HIMSELF at the sandwich case at the hotel deli/gift shop! OF COURSE we had to talk with him!!! After he ordered his sandwich, we stepped over to him and started talking with him. He had that same HUGE smile the whole time we talked with him! After we chatted for a few minutes about his events and he asked a few questions about Ryan’s favorite events, Ryan asked Ricky if he’d sign his shirt, and I asked him if we could take a picture. He flashed his huge grin and said “Sure!”
Look at the picture. Not another single person around. NOBODY recognized him! It was only as I took the picture of him with Ryan that a few people looked over to see who it was. I’m sure he appreciated us drawing attention to him! :)
Ricky keeps a blog that we follow. Here is his entry about the Olympic Trials.
http://www.rickyberens.com/?p=1575
We took some fun pictures outside the Hilton & C-Link Center as we walked back to the AquaZone.
They had this amazing bus in the AquaZone, as well as a London phone booth that visitors could sign, just like the Olympians as they made the team.
We met Misty Hyman, gold medalist in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. This was the THIRD medal Ryan had around his neck!
Emily Silver, silver medalist in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, was one of the volunteers who ushered fans during the autograph sessions. We talked with her just about every day. She was very patient with all of the crazy fans!
We decided it would be fun for Janae, Rachael, and the kids to meet us at the AquaZone one afternoon. This was the best day for everyone.
Ryan, Ethan, Sean, and Janae did the Swimulator together. Janae barely beat Ryan!
Another popular activity was riding Bruce the Shark (from Finding Nemo). I entertained myself by standing near the guys who were operating Bruce, and listening to them decide how crazy to make the ride for each person. Ryan had a pretty wild ride, but Ethan and Sean were more mellow.
There was also a really fun bungee run where participants would race each other down the “swimming lane” and then reach to stick a beanbag-ish marker as far as they could. Both Ethan and Sean wanted to do it with Ryan.
Yesterday as I watched Ryan Lochte and the other swimmers come down the escalator, I wondered what the set-up was on the upper floor, and if we could access it. The escalator going up was WAY on the other end of the conference center portion of the building, so from where most fans entered, it appeared that there was only an elevator to go up (which was always guarded by National Guard people). As we said good-bye to Janae, Rachael, and the kids, we left the AquaZone right by the elevator that went up. We went exploring!
From the second floor, we had a perfect view of a mural on an entire building that we had partially seen earlier. We also had a great view of the AmeriTrade Stadium, where the College World Series had wrapped up yesterday.
There was a large lobby on the second floor, right where the swimmers all came across from the hotel on the sky bridge. Hundreds of people waited every day at the bottom of the escalator and the elevator for a glimpse or a picture or an autograph. We decided to stay upstairs as long as we could. We thought the area might be cleared once the swimmers started coming across. NO! It wasn’t!
About a dozen people, who apparently were guests at the Hilton and came across the skybridge, trickled in to the lobby area and sat down in chairs and on the floor. Then the swimmers started coming!!!
Ryan Lochte…
Missy Franklin…
Rebecca Soni…
Amanda Beard…
It was so much fun to see them all so close! After we thought most of them had come through, Ryan made a decision. He put on his swim bag, his hat, and his sunglasses, and asked me to stay back a little while he went down the escalator!!! I think most people at the bottom figured he was a little young, but one person did come up to him and say, “What event are you swimming tonight?” Ryan responded that he didn’t have any events tonight. Oh, that kid. I’m in trouble if he ever IS famous!
As we waited in the line to go into the arena, we noticed that the Olympian names are being added to the huge sign!
Finals:
Women’s 200 free (semis) – Kathleen Hersey, Dana Vollmer in Heat 1; Katie Ledecky, Allison Schmitt, Missy Franklin, Lauren Perdue in Heat 2.
Allison & Missy…
Men’s 200 free (in the 200 free, the top four swimmers make the Olympic team as members of the 4x200 relay – 1=Michael Phelps; 2=Ryan Lochte; 3=Ricky Berens; 4=Conor Dwyer; (5th Matt McLean, 6th Charlie Houchin, 7th Davis Tarwater, 8th Michael Klueh).
Michael & Ryan…
Phelps family during the race…
The board…
Women’s 100 back – 1=Missy Franklin; 2= Rachel Bootsma (Natalie Coughlin 3rd)
Missy…
Natalie…
The board, and celebrating Missy’s new American Record…
Men’s 100 back – 1=Matt Grevers; 2=Nick Thoman
Matt and the board…
Women’s 100 back medal (Missy Franklin)…
Women’s 100 breast – 1=Breeja Larson (a BIG upset!); 2=Rebecca Soni (3rd Jessica Hardy, 5th Annie Chandler, 7th Micah Lawrence)
Rebecca & Jessica…
The upset!
Men’s 200 fly (semis) – Tyler Clary in Heat 1; Michael Phelps in Heat 2.
Tyler…
Michael…
Men’s 200 free medal –
Josh Davis was one of the medal presenters (second from left in blue shirt)…
As I mentioned earlier, in the 200 free, the top four swimmers make the Olympic team as members of the 4x200 relay. (l to r: Ryan, Conor, Michael, Ricky)
Women’s 200 IM (semis) – Elizabeth Pelton & Elizabeth Beisel in Heat 1; Caitlin Leverenz, Ariana Kukors in Heat 2.
Men’s 100 back medal –
In the wheelchair is Adolf Kiefer, who is currently 94 years old. As a 17-year-old, he swam in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He won the gold medal in the 100 back, and set several Olympic records. For a period of 8 years, in over 2,000 races, he only lost TWICE! He presented the medal to Matt Grevers.
Women’s 100 breast medal – Breeja Larson, who we came to know is from Mesa, Arizona, and is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!
We left the C-Link and walked across the street to meet Janae. We realized there were huge lighted swimmers in red, white, and blue on the side of the building.
As Ryan and I drove the 30 minutes back to Rachael’s house, we talked about what an amazing day it was, and how it far surpassed our expectations. I said, “I can’t imagine that tomorrow could be any better!”
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