Smart Racing/Attitude Leads to Team Record

10 & Under 100 Individual Medley:  Jessica was prepared to win.  She had warmed up properly, been to all the practices, was seeded first and knew the competition was tough.  She jumped in and competed her heart out...and got second...by two one hundredths of a second with a 1:05.58.  The time was second in the nation, only behind the girl that beat her out.  She knew that a weak back to breast turn and breathing into the finish were the mistakes that cost her the race.  Instead of sulking and showing her disappointment in this near miss, she realized her mistakes, learned from them and took her motivation to excel into her next race.
10 & Under 50 Butterfly:  It seemed like a long shot to win since the girl that beat her out in the 100 IM was seeded first with a very impressive and intimidating 29.93.  However, Jessica seemed to be in complete control of her emotions.  She was smiling and focused.  Again, she jumped in and competed her heart out...and won...with a 29.03 by two tenths of a second and over a full second faster than her seeded time.  What was most impressive about this win was her composure.  She raced smart!  She didn't thrash and power her way through the two laps.  She swam like she does in practice with a focus on distance per stroke and timing - less strokes per lap combined with an optimal tempo and good breath control in and out of the walls lead to a new Mission Viejo Team record and a first place finish against the toughest competition she has faced this season.
Sometimes it takes a tough loss before you can realize your true potential.  I think that is exactly what went through Jessica's head.  She thrived on the competition and could have easily played it safe with a different event where that girl couldn't beat her.  Instead she chose to test herself against a real threat.  And in her pursuit for excellence she broke a team record that has stood since the early 80's.