DISTANCE MEET INFORMATION FOR THIS WEEKEND

This weekend we have a group of Senior Prep and Junior Gold swimmers participating in the distance meet at Lee District Pool.  General warm up starts at 7AM, and the meet starts at 8AM.  The heats will be swum fastest to slowest seed times.  They will alternate heats starting with the girls.  There will be lanes to warm up at the pool during the day.  I will have a laminated  card with warm ups on it, so that when you arrive you can get right to it.

I have gone thru our entry lists and tried to figure out about what time you will be swimming.  You should plan on arriving about 1 hour prior to your start time, i will positive check you in around that time.

SWIMMER          SEED           HEAT #         START TIME
GABBY                   24                    3 (5)                      8:54
LAUREN Y.            68                   7 (13)                    10:29
JULIA Y,                 82                   9  (17)                   11:20
GILLIAN               139                 (27)                          1:32
NATALIA              146                 15 (29)                     1:58
ALEXA                  152                 16 (31)                     2:24 
CAROLINE          178                  18                            2:24

FLETCHER           40                    4 (8)                       9:29
PHILIP                   84                    9 (18)                    11:34
T.J.                         110                  11 (22)                   12:28
ANDREW Y.         112                  12 (24)                   12:53
JOEY                     123                  13 (26)                     1:19
ANDREW H.        127                  13 (26)                     1:19
BRENDAN           145                  15 (30                       2:11
JACKSON            153                  16 (32)                      2:39
CARL                   159                   16 (32)                      2:39
RICHARD           160                   16 (32)                      2:39
ALEX A.               163                   17                             2:40)

CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMERS LIST

JO Qualifiers as of December 28

30 swimmers  138  splashes
Kevin Carchia-Matthew Hartstorm- Justin Singletary-Michael Zhang-Nicholas ThiverisAlex Aung-Peter Makin-Anthony Grimm-Richard Meyers-Kent Codding-Marcelo Coray-Fletcher Madsen-Ian Vollmer-Andrew Hale-Kyle Cassidy-Tripp Crowe
Julia Young-Lauren Young-Elena Summers-Maggie Deppe Walker-Helen Geddes- Katie Karlinchak- Gabby Kuehhas-Allison Hickey-Alexia Cuomo-Faith Aalston-Emily Drakopoulos-Ava Jones- Sidoni Erickson-Katherine Helms
Congratulations to all of you.  Now let.s see how many more we can add in the next 6 weeks!

NASA CHAMPIONSHIP MEET SWIMMERS

TOTAL 12 swimmers. 33 SPLASHES PLUS ADDITIONAL BONUS SWIMS
ANTHONY G., PETER M., IAN, MARCELO C., FAITH A., JULIA Y., LAUREN Y.,  EMILY D., ELENA S.,, MAGGIE D.W. ALLISON H. , LEXI C.

HOLIDAY WISHES AND A HOLIDAY POEM

HOLIDAY WISHES

Senior Prep, Junior Gold and Junior Blue swimmers and parents

I would like to take a moment and wish all of you a joyous holiday season, and a very Happy 2014.  Thank you for all the thoughtful cards and gifts that you brought in over the past few days.  I am truly blessed to be able to work with such a wonderful group of children and parents.  Thank you for all the support that you have given to Mason Makos and me all through the year.   Mike

                                                             

“Twas the night before Swimming”

When all through the building not a swimmer was stirring, not even a guard, the scoreboard was hung by the pool with care, in hopes that the Mako swimmers would soon be there.  The swimmers were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of medals danced in their heads; and mamma in her kerchief, and dad in his cap, had just settled in for a long winter nap; when out on the deck there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.  Away to the door I flew like a flash, threw open the door, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny swimmers, with a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be a coach.  More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name: Now Phelps! now Lochte! now Missy and Katie!  On, Ziegler! on, Hardy! on Beisel and Jones!  Out of the pool, and to the deck, now, dash away! dash away! dash away all!  As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, so up to the roof they flew, with the sleigh full of awards, and coach.  And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little fin.  As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the steps coach came with a bound.  He was dressed in sweats from his head to his foot, and his clothes tarnished with chlorine and soot; a bundle of awards flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.  His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples—how merry!  His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.  His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.  The stump of a whistle he held tight in his teeth, and the noise it rang in my ears.  He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.  He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old coach, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.  A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know  had nothing to dread.  He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the team bags; then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside his nose, and giving a nod, up the steps he rose.  He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all went.  But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, 

“Fast Swimming

To all, and to all

A Good Night”

                        

SEASON MID POINT and HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

NEW RECORD:  As was pointed out to me by a concerned 3rd party who shall remain nameless (we all know who it was), Alexa Cuomo also set a new team record in the 50 fly with a 26.32.in Lancaster.   How did I miss that one, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I hear that voice all the time, when I'm sleeping, even on the radio.

During the holidays we need to keep up with our practice schedule the best we can so here it is.  This may change a little after the 1st, and I will try to keep it updated.

Monday 23-  8:30-10:00 Senior Prep/ 10:00-11:00 Junior Gold / 11:00-12:00 Junior Blue
Tuesday 24-  8:00-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold
Wednesday 25- what do you know OFF. HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY
Thursday  26-  8:00-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold
Friday 27-  8:00-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold
Saturday 28-  8:0-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold
Monday 30- 8:00-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold
Tuesday 31- 8:00-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold
Wednesday January 1 2014.  Oh no another off day
Thursday 2- 8:00-9:30 Senior prep / 7:00-8:00 pm JUNIOR BLUE
Friday  3 - 8:00-930 SENIOR PREP and Junior Gold
Saturday 4 8:00-9:30 Senior Prep and Junior Gold

If you are traveling and can find a pool here are 3 workouts that you may use.  Feel free to adapt them to your individual needs.

#1  IM workout

WARM-UP 400 FREE/ 4X50 KICK-SWIM/ 4X25 IMO (800)
PRE SET; 4X75 FLY (25 R ARM/ 25 L ARM/ 25 SWIM)
4X100 BACK (25 R ARM/ 25L ARM/ 25 BOTH ARMS/ 25 SWIM)
4X75 BREAST (25 PULL FLY KICK GLIDE/  25 PULL KICK-KICK/  25 SWIM)
4X100 FREE (25 R ARM HAND LEAD/ 25 L ARM HAND LEAD/ 25 STOP-STOP-SWITCH/ 25 SWIM )  2200 YDS
MAIN SET: 15 X 100  (#3=FLY/ #6=BACK/ #9=BREAST/ #12AND 15 =IM/ all others free) 3700 YDS
HARD SPRINT SET: 6X50 (DO TWICE) FREE-FLY-FREE-BK-FREE BREAST (FREE 10 SECONDS FASTER THAN STROKE) 4300ydsCOOL DOWN 
COOL DOWN= EASY 150  (TOTAL 4450 YDS)

#2 MIDDLE DISTANCE SET: 

WARM-UP 400 FREE/4X25 IMO/ 300 BACK/4X25IMO/200 BREAST 4X25 IMO ( 1200)
PRE SET; 3X50 #1=FLY/BK #2 BK/BR #3 BR/FR (REPEAT 5 TIMES) {1950}
MAIN SET: 6X4X100'S 1ST SET @1:20/ 2ND SET @1:25/ 3RD SET@1:30/ 4TH SET@1:35/5TH SET@1:40/ 6TH SET@1:40
EACH SET TRY TO HOLD THE SAME TIME ON EACH REPEAT.  LOWER THAT TIME 2-3 SECONDS WITH EACH NEW SET OF 4.  LAST 4 SHOULD BE CLOSE TO BEST 100 TIME. (4350 YDS)
COOL DOWN 150  TOTAL 4500 YDS

#3 FREE AND STROKE SPRINTING

WARM-UP- 400 FREE/300 KICK/ 200 IM DRILL-SWIM/ 100 CHOICE (1000)
PRE SET: 4X25 IMO (4TIMES THRU) 1ST TIME 5 SEC REST/ 2ND TIME 10 SEC REST/ 3RD TIME 5 SEC  REST/ 4TH TIME 10 SEC REST ( 1400)
MAIN SET: 5X75 (25 FREE-25 STROKE-25 FREE) DECSEND1-5
4X75 (50 STROKE-25 FREE) DESCEND 1-4
3X75 STROKE DESCEND 1-3
2X75 FREE DESCEND 1-2 
1X75 IMO FAST (1125/ 2525)
 SPRINT SET FREE  4X50 FREE (5 TIMES THRU) #1 25 EASY/25 FAST-#2 25 FAST/25 EASY- #3 ALL OUT- #4 EASY  3525 YDS 
COOL DOWN 150 TOTAL YDS= 3675


TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF WHERE WE ARE

As we have now finished the first half of this season and head into the last week of 2013 it's time to take stock of where we are.  We have talked about being totally honest with yourself when establishing goals for the season and how you as an individual and WE as a group were going to work towards them.  You may be one of those swimmers who had a amazing season up to this point, or you may find yourself struggling with an average season so far, or you may have be one that has seen the season go astray  up to this point.  First  off let's not PANIC, because nothing good will result from that.  On the other hand an athlete can not rest on past accomplishments, they must surge forward with a new dedication to improve.  Take a moment this week and critique your performance over the last 4 months and make the effort of correcting any areas that need to be corrected.  BE HONEST !
The following 6 reasons may be why you are not getting the results that you want.   They are taken from an article from (Swim Swam).

1.  Your expectations don't match up with the work you've done.
Denial is a funny thing.   How many times have you swum a race leaving everything in the pool in terms of effort, touched the wall, looked up to see a result that fell far below your expectations?   You look at the clock in disbelief, unsure how you could have that result with all the work you put in.
Did you put in the necessary work, though?
Sure it might seem that you only missed a work out here and there, or you were only sick for a week. There might have only been a couple of times when you slacked off on a set, got in late, sat on the wall playing with your goggles.   Maybe your nutrition is not what it should be or maybe your not taking in the proper amount of water.   All little things you say, cumulatively they add up.  Look back at your training in and out of the pool and ask yourself, "Based on the work I did leading up to the meet, did I earn the reward?"

2.  Your goal setting skills may need some work.
There are many reasons why goals are "stinky". Not being realistic,  not having a clear deadline, not having a plan of action, and so on, but the most common is lack of specificity.  Let's  take one I hear a lot on the deck, "I want to break a 1:00 in the 100 free this year."  It's a nice goal on the surface.  It appears specific; after all there is a quantifiable element to it.  Your intentions are good, but this goal will probably only end up frustrating you more than anything else.  You have not set a specific time this year where this will take place, meaning that it has no deadline outside of this year. There are no specific things that you are going to have to do to get to your goal.

3.  You're over-thinking it.
How often have you said to yourself; 
"I want to be an elite swimmer but I need to buy a better suit/ train in a better pool/ get the right supplements..."
"I want to swim in the fast lane, but I am going to be embarrassed around all the fast kids..."
"I want to be the best swimmer I can be, but first I need to research everything I can about technique, improving my kick, strength training, proper nutrition, etc..."
I not telling you that all these things are bad, but too much thinking sometimes paralyzes you, and sometimes you need to just turn off the brain, crack the whip and JUST SWIM BABY, JUST SWIM.

4.  You're a part time athlete.
We've all seen the guy that walks into McDonald's, order 2 big macs, large fries..and a diet coke, thinking that the one good decision will cancel all his bad choices.
Don't be the same way with your swimming!
You've worked hard at the pool, put in the training day after day.  Don't throw it all away by not giving yourself the opportunity to recover properly with adequate nutrition, hydration and rest.  If you want to be better than the average swimmer, remember that what you do out-of-the-pool is just as important as what you do in the pool.

5.  You're not setting short term goals.
Even at this point of the year, JO's  Districts, Regions States, and NASA seem so far away.  (And they are relatively speaking)  This causes a a couple of different issues:

• Removes any sense of urgency.  With so much distance between where you are right now and your season end goal, you begin to become detached from it,  There is no pressing need to get down to work on your goal.  After all, there is so much time to go still, you can always get serious later.
• It's hard to get motivated to get after that goal.  Swim seasons are are a hard long haul.  With the long amount of time between now and CHAMPIONSHIP season, a disconnect is created.  There is too much of a gulf between the swimmer you are now and the swimmer you aspire to be at CHAMPIONSHIP time, which makes it hard for you to stay on track and make that goal relevant.

The solution is to introduce short-term goals.  Set goals for the month, for the week, and even for individual practices.  Not only will they keep you focused on taking the necessary steps to achieve your big goal, but they will also help you stay dialed in and motivated on a daily basis.

6.  You're not consistent enough.
If there is one thing every single champion swimmer holds in common is that they are consistent.  They show up every day, rain or shine, and put in the work.  No matter what kind of day they had, if they're feeling  a little beat up, or if they simply aren't " feeling it" they show up and do the necessary work to forge forward to their goals.
There are an endless number of reasons/excuses for why swimmers fail to put their best effort in every day at the pool--

• I forgot my goggles. Oh well.  Can't train today!
• I need to adjust my goggles at each wall.  Oh well.  Missing a few repeats won't hurt!
• I'm tired today.  I'll go to the back of the lane and take it easy!
• I hurt!  I'll sit out a few sets!
• I worked hard yesterday, I'm good!

The fast kid in your lane doesn't buy into these excuses.  Neither do I.  They understand they need to maximize every opportunity they are given in order to have the success they want.  Success doesn't come with spurts of effort, it comes from the continual and consistent application of hard work.

TYR DIPLOMAT MEET WRAP UP

TYR DIPLOMAT MEET WRAP UP

A long but successful weekend of racing for our groups this past weekend at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster Pa.  We started off with our annual bus ride arriving at the hotel around 7:30 and heading straight to the rooms and than a team dinner.  After checking on the kids in the rooms we finally got the lights out with thoughts of racing in our heads.

The meet started out slow for us in the first session as it looked like we had not gotten our legs back under us for the most part.  Peter and I talked about this and we agreed that we do not like having a late warm up as we feel the swimmers are rushed and not relax going into their events.   We decided that even though we had the second warm up on Sunday we would arrive early giving the kids time to settle in.  The Saturday and Sunday 13 and over sessions would go much better with our swimmers performing much better in their races.  As for our group Jet, Gabby, Audrey, Gillian and Katie, would all swim some good races posting personal best.   They would also have some races that we are going to learn from and be prepared to swim the next time.

On a amusing note after the Saturday early session we noticed that Gabby was seeded 1st in the 500 free for finals.   Needless to say Gabby was a little freaked out to say the least.  The computer failed to pick up one of her 50 's split but we got that fixed so she wouldn't have to swim, but it may have been interesting.

The afternoon session was very exciting to see unfold all three days as our 12 and under's would swim out of their minds, they were truly in a " zone" all weekend.   Team records set over the weekend included  Julia Young 100 back (1:02:37), 11-12 boys 400 free relay of Anthony Grimm, Ian Vollmer, Peter Makin, Alex Aung (3:47:11).  The same 4 boys would set the 200 free relay record  posting a 1:42:45.  The 11-12 girls not to be out done would set a new 200 medley relay record posting a 1:57:28 (Julia Young, Alexia Coumo, Lauren Young, Emily Drakopoulos).  Ian Vollmer would also set a new IM record (1:02:56) and a 50 back record (28:68).
On Friday afternoon we had 11 swimmers ( Justin S., Julia Y., Emily D., Alexia  C, Kent C, Anthony G, Theresa B, Allison H, Lauren Y, Alex A., and Ian V ) racing the 50 fly and all of them posted best times, a sign of what was to come.  Other swimmers posting best times were Peter M in the  200 IM.  The following all had great swims in the 100 free Lauren, Ian, Peter, Anthony, Alex Justin, Julia, Alexia, Allison, Emily,

Swimmers making finals on Friday night were Lauren Young, Emily Drakopoulos, Alexia Cuomo, Anthony Grimm, Ian Vollmer, Peter Makin, after which we would head back to the hotel to await day 2 and the promise of a snow storm.

Saturday we awoke to a very cold morning but that would not keep the Makos swimmers from turning in some great races in the pool.  After a better showing in the morning by our 13 and overs the 12 and unders would arrive to continue their assault in the pool.  Helen who awoke from Friday posted a best   time in the 200 IM and Katie Ponzer, Gillian, Audrey, and Helen turned in best times in the 50 free.  We started off the afternoon session with Julia, Emily, Ian, Peter, Alex, Kaia Luca and Justin all racing to best times in their 100 IM.  The 50 free would see Bridget  May, Allison H, Peter, Julia, Alexia, Anthony, Lauren, Theresa and Alex all turn in some outstanding races.  It was now time for our breast stroke swimmers to rise and shine and how they would shine.   Natalia Joslyn would get us started by dropping over 2 seconds in her 100 breast, and not to be outdone Allison, Lauren and Luca would all post best times in the event.
Our amazing backstrokers were now set to enter the water with Emily, Julia, Ian, Theresa, Alexia, Anthony, Luca, Lauren, Alex, Ava Jones, and Kevin all swimming to best times.

Returning that evening to swim in finals were Julia, Ian,and Peter in the IM, Allison,Lauren,Alexia,Emily,Anthony and Peter in the 50 free, Allison in the 100 breast.   Lauren, Julia, Alexia, Theresa, Anthony, Peter and Ian all made the 50 back at final. In total we had 15 swims in the evening posting 13 best times which is outstanding for this very tired group that had been at the pool for over 8  hours.  Now it was time to get on the bus and travel through the snow back to the hotel for along winter nap.

One more day of swimming faced us as we awoke on Sunday morning to temperatures below 10 and icy roads, but we made our way to the pool on time.   After a good period of stretching and warm up in the pool we were ready for the last day.  Jet would get us started by posting a best time in the 100 breast, and Gabby would follow with a personal best in the 100 free.  Our 12 and unders would arrive at high noon to see if they had one more day of racing in them.  We would start the afternoon with 12 swims in the 100 back and all of them were personal bests (Sidoni, Kaia, Katherine Helms, Ava, Luca, Kevin, Theresa, Alexia, Julia, Peter, Anthony and Alex).  A great way to start our last day.
We would follow that with 3 swims in the 200 free resulting in 2 best times (Julia and Lauren Young).  Our breast strokers who had been waiting patiently were the next group to hit the pool.  We had 9 swimmers in the event who posted 8 best times (Kaia, Katelyn Schafer, Liam, Michel Zhang, Luca, Natalia, Lauren Y., and Chris O'Sullivan).  Not to be outdone were our 5 swimmers in the 100 fly who all had great races to finish off the session with personal best's (Justin, Ian, Anthony, Alexia, and Alex).

Returning for finals on Sunday evening were Anthony, Peter, Alexia and Julia in the 100 back.  Alexia also tried a new strategy of swimming the event with no goggles, wonder how that worked out??  Lauren turned in another best time in 50 breast as did Alexia and Ian in the 100 fly to finish our swimming off for the weekend.  Anthony also made finals in the fly but the two of us decided it was best to scratch out of it.

If my math is correct our group had 118 swims posting 88 best times and 19 swims that were .60 or nearer to their best, which leaves us with 11 swims that we need to work on.  

Overall our groups did an outstanding job over a very long weekend and I could not be more proud of each and every one of you!  Way to go guys and I had a great time with all of you and even enjoyed watching your parents get all stressed because you were not behind the blocks a half hour early.  That was a treat!   GREAT JOB   MIKE

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

WEEK AHEAD:   I Know that all of you are glad to see the snow and maybe even get these two days off from school, but be careful about what you wish for.   Nothing is free and winter does not even start for another week or so, which means too many days like this and you will be in school longer in June when the weather is nice and the days are long.  As a coach I dislike the inconvenience of upsetting an athletes schedule, but also like I tell you all we have to adjust and move on.
Tuesday- George Mason has closed so there is no practice
Wednesday-  normal practice ( Any senior Prep going to Pa. this weekend PLEASE try and come in with the JUNIOR GOLD group 5:30-6:4
Thursday thru Saturday there will be no practice due to the Championship Meet being held at George Mason.

WEEKEND  AHEAD:  A group of about 60 Mako swimmers will board a bus early Thursday afternoon and head north to Lancaster Pa. for a championship meet.  While we want you to have a good time it is important to understand that we have a job to do on this trip and that is to swim fast!

• This is a team trip so there are some rules so be prepared for them.  The first thing is that you are representing the entire club so act accordingly.
• When traveling to and from the meet you are to be wearing Mako attire!
• While at the pool you are also to wear only Mako attire!
• No scratching events unless you and I agree! 
• Warm-up and Warm down correctly ( this includes wearing clothes when not swimming to keep muscles warm.
• You have a problem come to me!  Do NOT GOSSIP AMONG YOURSELVES.  WE ARE A TEAM!  ACT LIKE IT!
• CHEER FOR ALL YOUR TEAMMATES!  

WARM -UP TIMES (They could change once we are up there but not by much)

                             FRIDAY           SATURDAY            SUNDAY
13&OVER           6:30 AM              6:30AM                 6:30 AM
12 & UNDERS    1:00PM               1:00PM                  12:30 PM
ALL FINALS WARM UPS  5:00- 5:55 PM

This is a Trial and Finals meet with the top 16 swimmers in both the 13-14 and the 11-12 age group returning in the evening.

FRIDAY RELAYS:
11-12 YEAR OLDS 200 FREE LAUREN YOUNG,EMILY DRAKOPOULOS, THERESA BOYD, ALEXIA CUOMO, ALLISON HICKEY, FAITH ALSTON, JULIA YOUNG, NATALIE PAVCO 
(4:19PM)
11-12 YEAR OLDS 200 FREE ANTHONY GRIMM, ALEX AUNG, PETER MAKIN, IAN VOLLMER (4:24PM)

SATURDAY RELAYS:

13-14 YEAR OLDS 400 MEDLEY  KATIE KARLINCHEK, MAGGIE DEPPE WALKER, HELEN GEDDES, ELENA SUMMERS, AUDREY HUNTER, KATHERINE PONZER, GILLIAN GOODIEL, GABRIELLA KUEHHAS  (12:03)
13-14 YEAR OLDS 400 MEDLEY:  JET PHAM-TON, KYYLE CASSIDY, FLETCHER MADSEN, MARCELO CORAY (11:40AM)
11-12 200 MEDLEY:  JULIA YOUNG, LAUREN YOUNG,  ALEXIA CUOMO, EMILY DRAKOPOULOS, THERESA BOYD, FAITH ALSTON, ALLISON HICKEY, NATALIE PAVCO. (4:13PM)
11-12 200 MEDLEY:  ALEX AUNG, PETER MAKIN, ANTHONY GRIMM, IAN VOLLMER.  (4:19PM)
9-10  200 MEDLEY:  GIRLS-  AVA JONES, KATELYN SHAFER, KAIA GOODIEL, KATHERINE HELMS (4:22 PM)
BOYS- KEVIN CARCHIA, GIANLUCA BYRNES, JUSTIN SINGLETARY, MICHAEL ZHANG.  (4:25PM)

SUNDAY RELAYS:

13-14 YEAR OLDS:  400 FREE  GABBY, MAGGIE, KATIE K., ELENA ( 10:30 AM)
11-12 YEAR OLDS 400 FREE - ALEXA, EMILY, JULIA LAUREN, THERESA, FAITH, ALLISON, NATALIA  JOSLYN (4:41 PM)
9-10 YEAR OLDS 400 FREE  GIRLS- AVA, SIDONI, KALA, KATHERINE  (4:30PM)
BOYS- KEVIN, LUCA, MICHAEL, JUSTIN  (4:36PM)

WEEKLY TOPIC:  MOTHER GOOSE AND SWIMMING

"Good, Better, best never rest till Good is Better and Better is Best." When we ourselves as swimmers, or we as a group or a team are "GOOD" we tend to become complacent and we stop taking chances.  Examples of this may be at practice where we know that a hard set is lurking around the corner so we pull back on our effort at that time instead of pushing through the set, and accepting the next challenge to see what might happen (the safe choice).  In a race we may hold back or even be afraid to try a new strategy because we are happy with our current place.  We tend to stop taking chances, or trying new ideas because we are afraid of making a mistake, or the pain.  On the other hand new swimmers or less talented swimmers make that big leap because they have nothing to lose.  The challenge for US as a group and YOU as a part of this group is to change on the fly and take a chance to move from being GOOD to being GREAT.  We get that chance this weekend as we embark on our first championship meet of our season.  Let's not let "being good" get in the way of being "GREAT" this week end.  

"DARE TO SWIM GREAT"

SWIMMER SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:

                                         LAST BOOK            SUPER HERO      FAVORITE FOOD

Nicholas Thliveris          The power of six            Batman               Chicken Sandwich

((Junior blue)

Kenta Deegan                  The Great Gatsby             ????                             Sushi

(Junior Gold)

Katie Krouse                 A Walk to Remember       Superman                    Spaghetti

(Senior Prep)  Favorite Set   5-4-3-2-1/ 10 minute kick/  Reverse order 200 ims/ 200's  (100 free/100 back)