Well, that was a nail-biter ... 6 points decided the difference between second and third place in the Red Division. Wow. One thing I am certain of -- no one is going to underestimate us next year (which is why we started training for 2026 this summer!).

Things that make this win extra special ... when the meet was seeded, Willow Oaks was predicted to win by FOUR points. After changes at the start of the meet ... Willow Oaks was predicted to lose by ONE point. And then ... we had to replace some of our faster swimmers with our back-ups due to injuries and illness. In the end -- despite the obstacles -- your kids emerged victorious, as a TEAM.

This is why we preach and teach kids all of the strokes. This is why we want your swimmers to become as strong as possible in every stroke -- because things happen. For many teams, the loss of their top swimmer (who may be incredibly fast), is a harbinger of doom. For Willow Oaks -- it just means we can bring up another qualified, strong swimmer. And everyone stepped up for the fight.

The coaches provide the program and an unwavering belief in what your children can accomplish if they put their mind to it, and work hard. Hopefully, we also instill the values and techniques needed to succeed -- but in the end, it's your children who do the work necessary to win. And our City Meet qualifying list keeps growing. Congratulations:

• Jack Founds (5) - 25 Free ADDED: 25 Back
• Olivia Goodman (6) - 25 Free; 25 Back ADDED: 8&U 25 Fly
• Luke Unsbee (6) - 25 Free; 25 Back
• Nora Hurst (7) - 25 Free, 25 Back, 25 Fly
• Peyton Fenn (8 ) - 25 Breast; 25 Back, ADDED: 25 Fly
• Malia Goodman (8 ) - 25 Free
• Emma Hoang (8 ) - 25 Free 25 Back ADDED: 25 Fly
• Rhodes Lomax (8 ) 25 Free, 25 Back, 25 Breast, 25 Fly
• McKenna Neveaux (8 ) 25 Free, 25 Breast, 25 Back, 25 Fly
• Winnie Scott (8) 25 Free
• Bennett Kulzer (7) 25 Free, 25 Back
• Bryson Neveaux (7) 25 Free, 25 Back
• Sebastian Cahoon (8 ) 25 Breast
• Axton Parker (8 ) 25 Free, 25 Breast, 25 Back, 25 Fly
• Camorrah Connor (9) 25 Breast ADDED: 25 Free
• McKenna Behan (10) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Johanna Carleton (10) 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Addie Fenn (10) 100 IM, 50 Free. 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Charlotte Melillo (10) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Hudson Kulzer (10) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Bronx Rosario (9) 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Avery Bethel (11) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Sloan Colton (11) 50 Back
• Katelyn Miller (12) 100 IM 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back NEW! 100IM, 50 Breast
• Kaylin Scalzi (12) - 50 Back
• Owen Humble (12) 50 Back
• Dominick DiCarlo (14) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Akai Gillette (13) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Brooke Gordon (13) 50 Fly
• Lily Humble (14) 50 Fly
• AJ Melillo (13) 50 Back
• Christopher Mowery (13) 50 Free, 50 Breast
• McCoy Tuttle (14) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Abby Kanak (16) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Lizzie Kanak (18) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Riley Hobbs (17) 100 IM, 50 Fly
• Jacob Petery (17) 100 IM, 50 Fly; 50 Free, 50 Back
• Garrett Root (16) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly
• Blaine Wooleyhand (17) 100 IM, 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly

The team now stands at: 40 Swimmers out of 91 -- 44% of our team is now qualified, and an astounding number are close to their first cuts of the season. Our LAST Chance is at the Summer Splash Invitational Saturday, July 26th -- this is not a scored meet. Swimmers may pick their own events (although I'll set relays based upon entries).  Remember, if you have a lane, you have a chance, but you have to earn it. Let's get to work ... Let's GO Willow Oaks!