CCS Announces
2008 LC JO Champions

CCS held its annual Long Course JO Championships on July 24 through 28, 2008. The Fresno Dolphins hosted the meet at Central High School in Freno. CCS is proud to announce the following athletes are the 2008 Long Course JO Champions as well as the Clovis Swim Club as the championship team.

2008 Long Course JO Champions
8 & Under Girls
Caitlyn Snyder
Clovis Swim Club
8 & Under Boys
Robert Moseley
Bakersfield Swim Club
10 & Under Girls
Amber Khieralla
Riptide Aquatics
10 & Under Boys
Andrew Sterns
Unattach - Southern California
11-12 Girls
Elizabeth Pulido
Bakersfield Swim Club
11-12 Boys
Justin Wright
Clovis Swim Club
13-14 Girls
Courtney Chacon
Clovis Swim Club
13-14 Boys
Andy Castelleja
Bakersfield Swim Club
15-18 Girls
Mary Hanson
Bakersfield Swim Club
15-18 Boys
Casey Bateman
Santa Maria Swim Club
Team Champion
Clovis Swim Club

What's New in CCS

7/31/2008
2008 Zone Team Selected

7/29/2008
2007 Swimmers of the Year

7/29/2008
2007 Volunteer of the Year

7/29/2008
2007-2008 Coaches of the Year

1/24/2008
2007 Travel Fund Summary

Open Letter from Larsen Jensen

After representing the United States at the Beijing Olympics, Larsen Jensen wrote the following open letter, originally published in Swimming World. Larsen started his swimming career in Bakersfield where his parents continue to reside. He holds several CCS records, one of which (15-16 Mens 800 M Free) was an American Record at the time.

Olympian Larsen Jensen Releases Open Letter to U.S. Swimming Community -- August 17, 2008

To all of my family, friends, supporters and Americans who I have never met: Thank you for all the support that you have given Team USA and me. We have all been incredibly honored to represent all of you at the 2008 Olympic Games.

It has been a dream come true to reach the pinnacle of sport success and each of you should consider yourselves a part of that success. I can't thank each of you enough. Today, I swam my final race and it was a tough battle. Unfortunately, I finished out of the medals...

My good friend and training partner Ous Mellouli won the event, and I couldn't be happier for him. He truly deserved it and I look forward to congratulating him personally.

Our final award ceremony today finished the way it started-with the playing of the United States National Anthem. I began to get choked up. I was choked up because I understand what our flag and our anthem represent. It represents freedom and opportunity. Freedom to pursue any dream-and the opportunity to make that dream a reality.

Mine have become a reality, and our team is proof that America is great-and always will be.

A few days ago I received an American Flag and accompanying Flag Citation from Navy Special Operations Task Force - West, Camp Shane Patton, Fallujah, Iraq. I was hoping to personally carry that flag around the pool; but that wasn't in the cards.

However, that flag was carried around the pool by Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, and Jason Lezak for the awards ceremony of the 400 Medley Relay.

They are great Americans and they carried that flag to make all of you proud-they did a damn good job. This team has made me proud by their grace in victory and poise in defeat. A man could never ask for a finer group of men and women to be associated with than our USA Olympians.

It has been an honor to represent The United States of America. I will never forget this experience and I will never take it for granted.

Thanks again America for your support. I, and all U.S. Olympians, look forward to coming home to the land of the free-and never forget WE ARE THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.

Regards, Larsen Jensen

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/18860.asp