MVN Excellence Award Recipients: Maddy Tigert & Quinn Neamand

So, this was the short speech I had prepared for the recipients of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Excellence Award at the 2012 awards banquet.  The date of the banquet happened to coincide with my families vacation to Cancun so I was unable to attend.  Somehow, this speech never made it to the stage and one of the Nadadores most excellent athletes was not acknowledged for her dedication to being the best she could be.  So here you go, Maddy.  This blog is for you. 

When I think about what this award means to me and who I feel is deserving of this title, I simply go straight to the Nadadores mission statement...  

This swimmer must have "an uncompromised commitment to the pursuit of excellence".  

This athlete is constantly "striving to be the best they can be".  

This child has worked "to acquire life enhancing attributes such as integrity, discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship".

10 Blue Excellence Award - MADDY TIGERT

With a smile the size of the entire 50 meter pool and a laugh that can melt your heart; this child is so much more than an athlete.  It didn't take long after the move from the 10 and under Silver group to our 10 and under Blue group to make an impression on the coaches.  I could tell from the beginning that with the wonderful and unique personality in combination with the hard work ethic shown on a daily basis that this was one amazing kid.  We saw a ton of improvement in technique, a Never Ever Give Up attitude, and a love for the team that very few actually have.  This person was kind even when most kids would not be, a dedicated student of the sport and a true team player.  I ask the kids to believe in 3 things:  Their TEAM, their COACH, and THEMSELVES...I feel that this athlete believed in those three things with all her heart.

Congratulations to Madison Tiggert for receiving the Mission Viejo Nadadores Excellence Award for the 10 and under Blue Group!

10 Gold Excellence Award - QUINN NEAMAND

The words in the Mission Viejo Nadadores mission statement perfectly mirror the kind of person that is getting this award today.  

This swimmer came to my group as a tiny little lemon-head who was very quiet and needed a lot of improvement in stroke technique.  Through time, hard work, and dedication we saw a significant change take place. This kid was starting to own practices and show the signs of a great swimmer.  It took a full two years, but finally this athlete was able to really show off what all that work was truly about at the last meet of the 10 and under season...

He finished his final 10 and under season as the fastest 50 and 100 breaststroker in all of Southern California. He was also a finalist in his 4 other individual J.O. events in which he competed in.  

I feel confident and incredibly proud that Quinn Neamand is the recipient of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Excellence Award for the 10 and under Gold group.  Congratulations Quinn NEAMAND!