This article from the Wall Street Journal popped up on the USA Swimming radar, recently.  I certainly do not agree with everything presented within the text, but it is food for thought.  The article presents “America’s Most Praised Generation.”  In a nutshell, it points out that being “good” at something is now the term for being what used to be called average.  It also points out that "excellence" and "outstanding" efforts are now much more a commonplace than ever before.  The article doesn’t explore the why, but it is a topic that is not a bad thing to think about.

America's Most Praised Generation

Good article; but, again just food for thought.  I’m certainly not condemning praise, though.  It has its place.  Here’s a good spot for it, right now, with our "Hungriest Swimmers of the Week."

• Alex Kesselring:  improved T-30, great racing in the 200 free set, smart races in the 200 free and 200 back at Rockville.
• Olivia Ross:  great T-30, consistently improving in every practice, excellent 200 fly, 200 back, and 200 breast combo at Rockville.
• Mallory Sanders:  much improved T-30, learning to race through the pain, outstanding 200 free focus set.  
• Stefan Wingen:  learning to swim, very smart T-30 and even smarter 400 free at Rockville.  
• Austin Zoldork:  moving up in the lane, racing faster teammates in practice, very good back half racing at Rockville.