District 128 kids dive in on day off school

While many children enjoyed the Casmir Pulaski school holiday playing outside in the newly fallen snow, others went for a swim.

The CATS Aquatic Team held their annual swim meet at Libertyville High School for elementary school children who live in the Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 area, which includes Libertyville, Vernon Hills, and parts of Mundelein.

About 90 children, from first through eighth grade, were invited to participate in the free event. This is the fifth year that the swim meet has been held, always on Pulaski Day, when school children are out of school.

"The event continues to grow year after year," said CATS Aquatic Team head coach Jeff Arce. "This is a chance for young kids to find out about competitive swimming in a relaxed, laid back atmosphere."

The young swimmers nervously waited for their chance to dive into the pool and swim as they each competed against their own age group in two races. The first race was a 25-yard freestyle and was followed up by a 25-yard backstroke race. At the end of the meet, the children had fun splashing around in the pool.