What a historic year for the Kellogg Club swim team! After a 25-year hiatus, the team was able to win the Round Robin meet of champions.  How special to be able to do it at home as well!  The swim team had an undefeated season, also winning the Dual Meet Season.  Two more trophies will be joining our 2017 Dual Meet Co-Champions Trophy, now proudly displayed in the pool house. (Thanks Todd.) We were 64 swimmers strong this year, with the youngest participant in meets being only 4! Our victorious swimmers were led in spirit by Nate Creamer.  Nate has set an example of determination and strength during his recovery.  He was even able to cheer us on during out last few meets!  Our undefeated season was led by Coach Victoria Ratliff, in her first year as head coach and first year assistant coaches, Alex Geogiev and Grace Miller. Within the brief season, every one of our kids benefitted in so many ways; new friendships were made, good swimmers became better swimmers, and confidence and self-esteem grew.
 
We celebrated our achievements with the Swim Team Spirit Dinner, as well as our season-ending celebration at the Swim Team Banquet.  The Banquet honors team members for their participation, dedication and effort.  Apprentice-Coaches also created and distributed our traditional and highly personalized “Paper Plate Awards” to each team member!   The culmination of the Banquet and the season itself is the presentation of The Hedda Sivertsson Memorial KLAW Award.   This highest honor celebrates the swimmers who best exemplify Hedda and our most revered qualities; Kindness, Leadership, Attitude and Wisdom. With the help of the Sivertsson family, the plaque is in the process of being redesigned and will grace the walls soon.  Adding to past winners on the plaque will be this year’s deserving KLAW award winners, Katie Acken and Reed Mitchell.  

As always, what makes the season so successful and meaningful are our wonderful swim team family volunteers.  None of the regular season meets, swim team BBQ and Round Robin could have happened without their help and dedication.  This year, we were also the host of the Round Robin Tournament!  On Saturday 7/27, all 6 clubs Round Robin swimmers, coaches, fellow team mates, volunteers, officials, friends and family ascended on the Club at 7:30am.  Starting at sunset the night before, until sunrise that morning, the club was transformed by our Club volunteers, some of whom don’t even have kids on the swim team.  Many compliments were heard from other clubs on how welcome they felt and what a wonderful, well run event it was. Some guests even questioned when they entered the East Garden for breakfast, if they were there for a wedding or a swim meet due to the gorgeous centerpieces, (donated by Samantha Rothman).  The Kellogg Club swim team exemplifies the collaborative volunteer contributions from its members - THANK YOU for your efforts and spirit in making this season such a success!

 
We are the Champions, my friends!

Best,

Annie and Barbara