Day 1

To summarize day #1 in one word, unforgettable. Not only did three swimmers start the meet off for Santa Clara, but the energy at the pool was electrifying.

Recap:

Leading off the meet for SCSC was Michael Messner. He swam the double of the meet with the 400 IM, followed by the 400 freestyle. He finished the 400 IM in a 4:29.79, placing 60th overall. Less than an hour later, Messner came back to swim the 400 free in a 4:04.53. Messner has the mile later this week.

Sophie Krivokapic-Zhou was next to swim in the 100 fly. She went out in an amazing 50 split of 28.22 and came home with a final time of 1:02.01. After today's event, Sophie will now switch gears for the 100 and 200 backstroke later in the meet.

Last to swim was Aidan Burns, swimming in one of the fastest heats of the morning in the 400 freestyle. He finished with a 3:57.58, which seated him 37th overall. Burns will swim tomorrow in the 200 freestyle and later in the meet with the 200 IM and the mile.

These four strong swims were a solid way to kick off the meet for SCSC. Although no one made it back for finals today, it is still early in the meet and there are a lot more races.

Highlight:

The highlight of the day was the opening ceremony and the national anthem. Not only were their bagpipes and fire on top of water (super cool by the way), but there was a unifying moment in the arena between swimmers, officials and fans.

The man singing the national anthem was about three words in when his microphone cut out. Almost as if it was planned, the singer kept belting the anthem and everyone in the stadiums chimed in. It was an unforgettable moment and a highlight of day 1.