Senior sendoff provides breath of fresh air

PALMER -- Every athlete trains and practices to be the best in competition in order to win and gain some notoriety in their sport. For high school swimmers in the Valley, for many of them this weekend's region meet means the possible end of their high school and competitive swimming careers.

The annual Mat-Su Senior Sendoff swim meet, at the newly-refurbished Palmer High School Pool, on Saturday did what it always seems to do -- provide a breath of fresh air for the competitors before regions and recognized the seniors on all three area swim teams.

Much like the all-star weekends in professional baseball or basketball, the senior sendoff is not the usual die-hard competition that's so prevalent in the sports world. For the swimmers of Colony, Palmer and Wasilla High it's a chance to chat with friends and swim hard in competition one last time before the region competition begins.

"It's getting to the end of the year. All the kids are real close. It gives us coaches a chance before regions to let some of the J.V. kids swim varsity and let the varsity swimmers try a different event," said Wasilla coach Bobbi Hamilton. "It lets us relax them a little. And this year was great because it was the first year that all three Valley schools were there."

The bond that exists between all three of the schools is something special in itself. The swimmers have no trouble seeing beyond the school colors on the suits or the name on the swim caps.

"We all share pool time during the season. Many of them swim or dive with a club team, so they see each other year round at the pools," said Hamilton.

This chance to compete and see friends is relished by many of the competitors who took part on Saturday.

Colony senior Jorin Klawitter has been looking forward to it all year.

"It's a lot of fun, it's not so serious and it's more like a fun thing. The tension that comes with a meet isn't here at this one," said Klawitter.

The real stars of the meet aren't the winners of races, but the seniors taking part in those races. In a sport like swimming (especially in Alaska) recognition is hard to come by. The sendoff provides coaches, fans and teammates alike the chance to say 'thank-you' to those seniors, and let them know their efforts are appreciated.

"I'm going to miss all the seniors," said Colony coach Dawn Brettrager. "They're fun to be around and they're going to leave some tough shoes to fill."

Klawitter is one of those seniors. "It's nice to finally get some recognition," he said.