Highlights from first day of swim trial volunteeri

[joenali]

Super cool morning! I took the early shift today so I can have the rest of the day off.

I am doing hospitality. We started off with a quick tour of the arena and pool areas. I was super stoked to be able to walk on the pool deck of the competition pool and quickly watch some warm-ups. Went back and filled jugs with water and powerade and then went to my station. I was in charge of the officials room and checking credentials. Really it's a stupid job because there is a military dude with me and who are people going to listen to me or him? BUT it was fabulous in the fact that the station was at the athlete entrance. I saw one of the 800 womens free relay qualifiers, and SUPER in shape athletes. So lots and lots of people watching! It was great! The well-known athletes have a super secret entance so I didn't see anyone super famous.

Volunteers also get a free meal per shift, so I got a really nice breakfast this morning.

When it was time to turn in my credentials I was on the escalator and I was sure that Summer Sanders was behind me so I said "Summer Sanders?" and she said "yep, I'm Summer, nice to meet you, what's your name, where are you from?" I was totally awestruck! I told her I remember wathcing her swim when I was a teenager. We chatted a bit on the escalator and she thanked me for volunteering. It was AWESOME!! No pictures though, I didn't bring my phone, but I will tomorrow!

I am so glad I volunteered!

[shorty20]

That's awesome, I'm so jealous!

I watched some of the trials last night and thought about how you were there!

[joenali]

Jun 29, 2012 11:20:24 GMT -5 shorty20 said:

That's awesome, I'm so jealous!

I watched some of the trials last night and thought about how you were there!

Yeah! We got tickets for finals last night! It was a fun night at the pool that is for sure!

[Brie]

Jun 29, 2012 11:20:24 GMT -5 shorty20 said:

That's awesome, I'm so jealous!

I watched some of the trials last night and thought about how you were there!

Ditto! I was hoping I'd see a mysterious figure in a lab coat lurking on the sidelines, but no dice. What a cool opportunity.

[joenali]

Jun 29, 2012 11:26:07 GMT -5 Brie said:

Jun 29, 2012 11:20:24 GMT -5 shorty20 said:

That's awesome, I'm so jealous!

I watched some of the trials last night and thought about how you were there!

Ditto! I was hoping I'd see a mysterious figure in a lab coat lurking on the sidelines, but no dice. What a cool opportunity.

LOL!!!

[MrsE]

That sounds like so much fun! What type o breakfast do they serve the volunteers?

[joenali]

Jun 29, 2012 11:57:36 GMT -5 MrsE said:

That sounds like so much fun! What type o breakfast do they serve the volunteers?

Pancakes with fruit compote, oatmeal with lots of toppings to choose from, yogurt, fruit, coffee and juice.

[MrsE]

Jun 29, 2012 11:59:53 GMT -5 joenali said:

Jun 29, 2012 11:57:36 GMT -5 MrsE said:

That sounds like so much fun! What type o breakfast do they serve the volunteers?

Pancakes with fruit compote, oatmeal with lots of toppings to choose from, yogurt, fruit, coffee and juice.

Nice!

[taratru]

You met Summer Sanders?!?!? COOL.

[aweilba]

I'm turning green reading this. I'm so jealous of you! This is such an amazing opportunity for you! Just curious (sorry if you've explained this before), but how did you land this super awesome gig?!

On a bit of a side note... I am so sad for Natalie Coughlin. I grew up watching her swim, and she was my favorite as a young swimmer. She's still wicked awesome in my book, though. But, it makes me so sad that my idols are getting older and not making the team anymore! At least Phelps and Lochte are still in it, and Brendan Hansen. Makes me feel like I'm getting old... That Missy Franklin is a beast, though. I'm having fun watching her swim! Enjoy the rest of your time at the trials!

[joenali]

Jun 29, 2012 12:13:40 GMT -5 aweilba said:

I'm turning green reading this. I'm so jealous of you! This is such an amazing opportunity for you! Just curious (sorry if you've explained this before), but how did you land this super awesome gig?!

On a bit of a side note... I am so sad for Natalie Coughlin. I grew up watching her swim, and she was my favorite as a young swimmer. She's still wicked awesome in my book, though. But, it makes me so sad that my idols are getting older and not making the team anymore! At least Phelps and Lochte are still in it, and Brendan Hansen. Makes me feel like I'm getting old... That Missy Franklin is a beast, though. I'm having fun watching her swim! Enjoy the rest of your time at the trials!

DH's family lives in Omaha, we are also both on summer break so it makes it easier for us to be here. I knew the trials were coming back to Omaha and I found out you can volunteer. I found out volunteer opportunities opened up in February on the USA swimming website. I signed up when it opened and here I am! I highly suggest doing it if you are ever able to go to the trials in the future!

[Susie]

Jun 29, 2012 12:13:40 GMT -5 aweilba said:

I'm turning green reading this. I'm so jealous of you! This is such an amazing opportunity for you! Just curious (sorry if you've explained this before), but how did you land this super awesome gig?!

On a bit of a side note... I am so sad for Natalie Coughlin. I grew up watching her swim, and she was my favorite as a young swimmer. She's still wicked awesome in my book, though. But, it makes me so sad that my idols are getting older and not making the team anymore! At least Phelps and Lochte are still in it, and Brendan Hansen. Makes me feel like I'm getting old... That Missy Franklin is a beast, though. I'm having fun watching her swim! Enjoy the rest of your time at the trials!

I kind of feel that way too.

I have mixed emotions about Jessica Hardy. I felt awful for her watching the 100 breast final, considering 2008. But then I read comments like this:

Texas A&M sophomore Breeja Larson upset Rebecca Soni to win the 100 breast, with Hardy third. Only the top two make the U.S. team for London.

“I never heard of her before. Ever,” Hardy said about Larson. “But good for her. Now she’s the gold-medal favorite.”

Which sounds kind of snarky to me. And then I don't feel badly for her. (Particularly because she DID make the team, if only on a relay so far.)

[kams]

So awesome! I loved Summer Sanders!

[katinthehat]

so cool! As much as I've loved racing this year, I think I've loved my volunteer opportunities just as much