This week, I went to a state competition, known as JAG, which stands for June Age Group Championships. It was so exciting!

Going to JAG is no small feat. Only so many swimmers can make the cut and get in. This was my first time going, and boy was it fun! I swam multiple events at JAG, but my favorite were the 200 breaststroke, 400 freestyle, and 200 freestyle.

My first event was the 200 breaststroke. Standing on the starting block, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. When the whistle blew, I dived in the water ready to try my best to win my heat. I managed to get 2nd overall, but I was kind of disappointed since I was only a couple of milliseconds off first place!(the agony).

For me, the hardest event was the 200 freestyle. My swim coach told me to sprint the whole 8 laps! Needless to say, I finished 4th in my heat, which was kind of surprising, since it was my first time swimming the 200 freestyle long course. The 400 freestyle was pretty decent, I ended up getting 3rd overall out of all the 12 year-olds in my age group. I even won a medal for it!

To be honest, JAG was incredibly fun, but it wasn’t just about the races, though. It was an incredible gathering of young swimmers like me. I met new friends who shared the same passion for the water. We cheered each other on, celebrating our achievements and supporting one another. It was such a positive and encouraging environment. Looking back, my JAG experience was truly memorable. The thrill of the races, the friendships formed, and the sense of accomplishment—it all made it worthwhile. It’s these moments that make me love swimming even more. So, to all those swimmers out there, I just want to tell you to keep pushing and to never give up. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll have your own JAG tale to share!