annual Christmas Party. It was a fun, action-packed party
filled with holiday swim team traditions. The annual Donut-
Eating Contest was a big hit with the kids, who were covered
with powdered sugar. On the volleyball field the Santa Sack
races proved to be a blast! This year, there was a special
reading of Twas the Night Before A Swim Meet by
April Reinhart, president of the Westchase Swim Team
Booster Club. Dinner was served and a kids Christmas
gift exchange followed.
Happy new year!
’Twas The Night Before A Swim Meet
Twas the night before a swim meet and all through the house,
Every creature was stirring, maybe even a mouse
The team towels were hung outside with great care,
In hopes that they would dry in the chilly night air.
The swimmers were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of ribbons danced in their heads.
And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a short winter's nap.
(those swim meets start early ya' know!)
When out of the darkness my alarm clock started to beep,
I sprang from my bed to get ready for the meet.
Away to the pool we flew like a flash.
Warm ups are early, gotta' get there quite fast.
The moon shone on the water both steaming and still.
To get into the pool takes dedication and will.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a little red truck bringing someone near.
With a little, old driver, so quick on approach.
I knew in a moment it must be Kelley, our coach.
More rapid than eagles his swimmers they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Austin, now Jared, now Margret and Bella
On Kendal, on Regan, on Victor and Noah
To the top of the platform, to the top of the wall
Now swim away, swim away, swim away all!"
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know that I had nothing to dread;
He paced the whole pool as he went straight to his work,
And filled all the lanes; then turned with a jerk,
And shouting, "Stroke! Stroke!" he encouraged them all.
They did breaststroke, they did backstroke; yes, they covered them all.
And giving a nod, back to his truck he did go,
Leaving his swimmers and parents to know:
TBAY Westchase is great and our coach is the best,
Competing to stay on top of the rest.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
By Rachel Sellers and April Reinhart
