Osage swimmer Hannah Hamilton competes in the same swim meets Olympic hopefuls swam in at her age.
Hamilton, 10, participated in the 2012 Central Zone 14 & Under Championship Meet in Columbus, Ind., on Aug. 2-6.
“The heat sheets showed the record time holders for 10 and under age group, (and) had swimmers like Michael Phelps and Miss Franklin as the record holders,” said Amanda Hamilton, Hannah’s mother (Osage). “Hannah thought it was awesome that she had the opportunity to swim in a meet that Olympic swimmers swam in at her age.”
The meet is hosted by USA Swimming and targets older youth. However, there is a small collection of kids asked to participate in the 14 and under. Hannah competed against 11 other teams in Oklahoma for a slot at the meet.
Each summer the fastest swimmers participate in the meet, which is the highest level of competition available for swimmers under age 14, said Kathy Mendez, Hannah’s swim coach and the Age Group Head Coach for Chesapeake Swim Club.
“It takes dedication, training, and passion to reach this level of competition,” Mendez said. “Hannah had two great individual swims at the meet – she swam her fastest time ever in the 100-meter breaststroke.”
Hannah placed fifth in the 100-meter breaststroke and seventh in the 50-meter breaststroke.
“There were a couple things I was not proud of, but I think overall I did very good,” Hannah said.
Hamilton said Hannah had fun and met a lot of swimmers from other states. They even traded swim caps with each other.
“Hannah tried very hard and had a wonderful experience,” Hamilton said. “She is coming back with a new look as to how she will train and swim to get better for the upcoming course.”
Hannah started a shorter course this month since she’s had faster times as a short-track swimmer.
Mendez believes Hannah can continue to improve and excel at swimming – as well as school and any other endeavor she pursues.
“Hannah set a goal last summer to make the 2012 Zone team,” she said. “To obtain her goal she made a commitment to attend practice, listen to the coaching staff daily to improve technique, endurance and speed.”
Swimmers’ goals continue to chance as they grow and their strokes continue to improve, Mendez added.
“To try my hardest I have to keep going,” Hannah said. “I am turning 11, so I have to go to a higher category and I will try my best go to Rio in four years.”
The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
By
Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan
Original Publish Date: 2012-10-12 00:00:00
