Evans Competes on the Big Stage at Junior Nationals!

Sara Evans Competed in Her First Ever National Level Meet!

There is no doubt that Sara Evans has accomplished a ton in her years with PCST.  She reached a level that a select few Tsunamis have ever reached when she qualified for the NCSA Junior National Championships in Orlando, FL.  Then she took it further by not just qualifying in one race but rather 4 events (50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 IM, 400 IM)!  Her list of accomplishments have already reached great lengths before she ever stepped foot on the pool deck for Junior Nationals.

Although Sara did not have any personal best times in any of the individual events she swam, she still took a lot away from the meet that included over 1200 of the fastest 18 & Under swimmers in the entire country.  She got to go toe to toe with all of the best swimmers in the nation and realized that her hard work has made her one of those swimmers.  Sara also did not leave the meet without a best time as she proceeded to lead off her 400 IM with a 1:01.91 in the fly which was a lifetime best!

Sara’s Junior National Results
50 Breast (32.81); 165th out of 192 swimmers
100 Breast (1:08.53); 163rd out of 170 swimmers
400 IM (4:36.52); 132nd out of 161 swimmers

From a coaching point of view, I can say that it’s not an easy thing to swim lifetime best times at Southeasterns and then get back in the water right away to train virtually by yourself for 3 weeks to prepare for another taper for an even bigger championship meet.  Sara had a terrific attitude throughout the entire meet and I am very proud of her accomplishments this season!!  Next year though.........I want to have a "team" at Junior Nationals to build upon what Sara has helped establish.  So I challenge all of my Senior and Pre-Senior swimmers to learn what these qualifying times are and dedicate yourself to reaching them.

Oh yeah..........did I mention that we went to Islands of Adventure after the meet was over while we were down there??  What a great place!  We got soaked at times, dizzy at times and had a blast on some incredible roller coasters and rides!  But none were as much fun as the tire on our van that blew up while we were driving home!  That was the scariest of all!  Thankfully, yours truly knows how to drive and stay calm in that situation, and we made it home safely.  :) 

Congratulations Sara on a great season and congratulations on your scholarship to the University of North Florida!  You have so much to be proud of and I cannot wait to see what kind of legacy you can leave with the Tsunamis this summer.

CATCH THE WAVE!

Jonathan