Audrey Jackson Loves Swimming

I don’t know exactly when I realized that I was scheduled to work the same day Audrey and I were to fly to Orlando, Fl for National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) Age Group Championships. There has been a lot going on in our world, but I don’t really like excuses!

I work in the emergency department. Each individual shift is critical to the success of the department running well, which in turn allows us to support our patients well. The acuity of illness and medical complexity of our patients is high. Previously, I have only ever called out of a shift for child illness or family death. This would not be an exception, I had to honor the commitment at work for me and for my children. I live life with the distinct awareness that my actions have to line up with my words, in part, because I live in the high accountability of three teens and a preteen.

Audrey had worked hard to qualify for National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) in Orlando, Fl in multiple events. Two years ago she missed qualification for this event by 0.02 seconds. Last year she qualified in multiple events but never made it to finals. This year she had her mind set on finals and podium finishes. So much of sports (and life) is mental. Being able to focus through distractions is critical. My daughter was facing a bigger challenge than just performing in a pool. There was turmoil all around and she had to learn to keep focus.

The day before Audrey was to leave, she woke up with significant allergies after sleeping with the window open. (Which I recommended,by the way, because I didn’t want to turn on the air conditioning yet. Hindsight…)

The day of our flight, I went to work and canceled my flight. I sent Audrey to Orlando with her teammate Maya and her mom Joanna. That night Audrey would swim practice at the NCSA pool still facing significant congestion. Before she went to bed, Audrey was asking when I would be there, when I wanted her to focus on her upcoming race. Thankfully, I was able to secure the first flight out in the morning.

On the first day of competition, while I missed her first event, I was able to make the second event of the first of four days.

Audrey wanted to ride some sort of Sling Shot ride at the amusement park. It didn’t make sense to engage in such ridiculousness ever, but definitely not in the middle of a meet. She asked if she came in first for 50 free, would I let her. That actually seemed reasonable, so I agreed. She tried to include that I would ride with her. I knew she was capable of first place. I wasn’t willing to take that bet.

50 Free was the last event of the meet. At this time, all but one of her teammates had left. When Audrey’s name was announced there was no roar (Audrey banned me from yelling for her some time ago). I hoped she was, otherwise, in the zone and no amount of applause or lack of would change that.  She was on mission. She wanted to be number one at NCSA in the 50 Free. Two weeks ago she came in first at Maryland State Age Group Championships.

Coming into NCSA, Audrey was seated 5th. In prelims, she scooted to 4th. In the finals, she placed second. While she missed her goal of number 1, she set a new team record for 50 Free for her age group (13-14) and made a qualifying cut for Futures.  So impressed that Audrey was able to adapt and stay focused in an environment of change!

The Eagles Swim Team has been absolutely amazing and I am excited to see what happens next! The team is a not-for-profit and is currently fundraising to raise funds to support the development of champions. A donation of any amount would be helpful. Tax receipts provided. Please give to Eagles!

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