NCAA Banquet

Tonight, we had our formal NCAA banquet at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.  The event brought together over 700 student-athletes, coaches, and guests for dinner and presentations by two guest speakers, as well as a presentation of the NCAA's "Elite 89" award which goes to the student-athlete from each sport and each division who participates in a national championship and who achieves the highest cumulative GPA out of all male or female participants.

Our guest speakers tonight were a representative from the Special Olympics, who the NCAA supports and partners with often for events; and Brian Casey, the president of Depauw University in Greencastle, IN, a DIII institution who sent a strong contingent of 13 student-athletes to this week's National Championships.  Casey was a swimmer at Notre Dame University where he held several school records and was named Notre Dame's Scholar of the Year after his senior season.  Both of them delivered great speeches praising the immense value inherent in athletic competition.  It was a very fun and inspirational way to start off our meet here in Indiana!

Tomorrow, Claire swims the 50 free!  Karl has the day off tomorrow to continue to rest and prepare for his 100 butterfly which he will swim on Thursday.  I'll be tweeting results as quickly as I can all week!  Be sure to check in with our Facebook page as well.  I'll continue to upload more photos every day!

Also, tons of NWC pride at the meet!  We shared a table tonight with our friends from Whitworth.