Meeting a two-time Olympic medalist!

{Jonathan and Kaitlin Sandeno - she wrote 'You Rock!' on his autograph card}

Yesterday, Jonathan had the opportunity to attend a strokes clinic at Nitro. For a mere $25 he was coached by Kaitlin Sandeno, got to hold her Olympic medal and got an autograph and photo with her. Even though he has officially decided to take a break from swimming (though he calls it quitting) he was really excited to attend. He was not nervous to talk to her and even told her about his getting first place in his heat in the 25m backstroke last weekend. He got a high five from her!

Coach Mike explained that he was approached by NIKE to use the Nitro swim facilities to shoot a magazine. When Kaitlin came for the shoot she stopped and saw Coach Mike was doing an evaluation for one of their swimmers and came over and helped out. Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen were also there for the shoot. There were some other names, but from where I was sitting it was hard to hear.

Kaitlin shares her stories of being in the Olympics, even down to training the past two years alongside Aaron Peirsol and Michael Phelps in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the hopes of making a third Olympics. She did not make it to the trials due to a knee injury two months before followed by an upper respiratory infection two weeks prior to the trials.

Jonathan gets to hold Kaitlin's silver medal, which she says meant the most to her because it was in her worst stroke. I can't remember what stroke that is, but if I had to guess it was the breast stroke.

the silver medal

the swimmers watch as Kaitlin demonstrates how to do the dolphin kick

Jonathan between exercises

Kaitlin diving

Coach Mike makes an example of Jonathan in how 'not' to come up for air during the freestyle.

Jonathan is super excited to have Kaitlin down on his side of the pool.

She gives him a high-five after he tells her he came in first in his heat in backstroke last weekend.

Jonathan getting an autograph.