Autumn Freeze honors Molly

The first Molly Lahlum memorial meet kicked off Sept. 25 at the Carson Valley Swim Center with a presentation to Molly's mother, Mary.

Lahlum lost conciousness after finishing her heat during a high school swim meet in Carson City last April and passed away 16 days later.

She had joined the Douglas Dolfins Swim Team at the age of 8 in 2001 and stayed with them through 2009.

Mary Lahlum was presented with a shadow box put together by Shaelin and Leslie Morefield, and a starting block that the Dolfin team had donated in the name of Molly with a plaque reading "A smile to remember, Molly Rae Lahlum."

Dolfin team members gathered around the block as the presentation was made, then unveiled the block to the spectators at the meet.

It was a gathering of a team that was missing the smile, laugh and singing that Molly brought to the team. 

 Coach Kat Matheson recognized that many of the other teams were affected by the passing of Molly, which is another indication of the contagious effect she had on others that came into contact with her.

Coach Susan Govan remembered Molly as an energetic and confident young woman that charismatically drew people to her, even if they didn't come into direct contact with her.

Her singing through practices and tough training times was contagious and lifted the spirits of the team. 

Jim Morefield mentioned that it was fitting that the first Molly Lahlum Memorial Autumn Freeze was greeted with warm weather as most people who knew Molly were greeted by her warm smile and welcoming attitude.

Morefield also recalled that the last time Molly competed for the Dolfins was the 2008 Autumn Freeze.

The meet has come full circle as her last competition at home with the Dolfins will now be home for one of the ways those who knew her and knew of her will remember her. 

The Morefield family contributed towards the No. 3 starting block which will now serves as a memorial to the special memories of Molly.

Lane Killion was Molly's timer during her last race and recalled that Molly's excitement and exuberance were focused not on her own performance but trying her best to score points toward the team goals. 

Killion later realized it was Molly's last conversation before she lost consciousness after finishing her race.