Blackwells Have Multiple Top 8 Finishes

Blackwell Clan Have Impressive Showing In Indianapolis Meet

November 12, 2007…… Four swimmers from Wilson County walked onto the pool deck with their teammates from Excel Aquatics, and their stride slowed down. Ongoing conversations quickly came to a halt. Their heads were on swivels as they took it all in.

As they looked at the far wall they saw a list of swimmers who made the US Olympic Teams in years where the Olympic Trials have been held in the pool. On the level above them there was stadium spectator seating where up to 4,500 people can watch a swim meet. And the main attraction was the pool where 90 American Records and 11 World Records have been set, set in the same water they would shortly be swimming in.

They had walked onto deck at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, which although it is 25 years old, is still considered one of the fastest pools in the Nation. An engineering marvel for swimming pools when it was constructed, the Natatorium still serves as the gold standard to which new competition pools being built are judged against.

Five Olympic Trials, nine NCAA Swimming Championships Meets, and nine USA Swimming National Championships have been held in the Natatorium over the last 25 years.

The swimmers from Wilson County had walked onto the deck of a real life Pool of Dreams.

Mount Juliet residents and Excel Aquatics swimmers Taylor Wallace, Luke Blackwell, Madison Blackwell and Samuel Blackwell traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the Riviera Swim Club Invitational, November 9th through November 11th.

Samuel Blackwell, participating in the 8&Under Boy's category, placed 3rd in the 50 Yard Backstroke, 4th in the 50 Yard Freestyle, 5th in the 25 Yard Backstroke, 6th in the 50 Yard Breaststroke, and 8th in the 25 Yard Butterfly.

"Samuel had a great meet and showed why he is arguably the fastest 8 year old boy swimmer in Wilson County. As he continues to pay attention in practice and follow the Excel Aquatics progression plan for young swimmers, he will be a force in the County for the next decade." Excel Aquatics Coach John Barnes explained.

Madison Blackwell participated in the 11&12 Year Old Girl's Category. Madison placed 4th in the 200 Yard Individual Medley, 100 Yard Butterfly, 50 Yard Backstroke, 100 Yard Backstroke; and 8th in the 50 Yard Butterfly.

"Madison had a strong showing in this meet. She has turned into a real competitor who wants to swim fast and compete."

Luke Blackwell, participating in the 13&Over Boy's category, placed in each of his events. He placed 2nd in the 500 Yard Freestyle; 3rd in the 100 Yard Backstroke, 200 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Backstroke, and 200 Yard Individual Medley; 4th in the 100 Yard Freestyle; 6th in the 100 yard Breaststroke; 7th in the 200 Yard Butterfly; and 8th in the 50 Yard Freestyle.

"Luke has been swimming great in practice these past few weeks and was a little tired. Luke's most significant swim was the 200 Yard Butterfly, where he dropped over 27 seconds, finishing in 2 minutes, 20 seconds, and 67 hundredths of a second (2:20.67)."

"Naturally new swimmers do not start out at the practice level Luke is training at; it is something that they need to work up to. Like all other sports, swimming is progressive in its nature of training programs."

The next meet for swimmers from Wilson County will be the Excel Aquatics Meet of Champions, December 7-9, in Brentwood TN.

For more information on competitive swimming visit www.SwimWilsonCounty.com.