TAKEAWAYS FROM IMX

This past weekend 12 of our Mako swimmers spent the weekend at UMD with swimmers from all over the North East.  This meet is a true test of where the swimmers rank in the country.  Swimmers were required to swim the full complement of events, over the three days.  All the 11 and over athletes began the meet early Friday afternoon with the 500 free. Saturday events were the 200 fly, 200 breaststroke, and the 200 IM for the 13 and over swimmers. The events that day for the 12 and under’s were the 100 fly and the 100 breast. The 10 and under’s also swam the 200 free to start the afternoon.  
We returned Sunday morning to swim the 200 back and 400 IM for the 13 and over age group.  The 12 and under’s arrived in the afternoon to finish their meet with the 100 backstroke and the 200 IM.

Your teammates represented the Mako swim team well with their efforts over the three days.  Not only did they swim well, but they were on time for warmup, and proceeded to go through their warmup with a real focus on what they needed to do.  They were really good about getting to the blocks on time and staying focused throughout the meet.  They gave each other great support and encouragement throughout the meet.  All of you were great and made my job pretty easy throughout the weekend.  If any one should go to the doghouse it was probably myself.  I had not missed any swims until Sunday afternoon when we had three of our girls in the same heat.  After they finished I was on my way to the team area to get them to warm down before we talked because Lyla was in the next heat.  Bottom line I’m old and probably needed a nap by then because before I realized it  she was in the water for her 200 IM and when I got back she was getting ready to go into her breaststroke.  Sorry Lyla but you dropped 4 seconds so I am going to guess you were good.

We had 63 swims over the weekend and walked away with 58 personal best, not a bad effort at all. Several of the Mako swimmers would go on and win their heats throughout the weekend and when that happens you’re putting yourself in a good position to be successful.  We do have to give a shout out for Claire Dobrydney who swam all the way to the podium for an 8th place finish for 11 year olds. 

 It will be interesting to see where Claire and all our swimmers place nation wide when score our posted.

We hope you all understand now how important that fifth stroke is.  Coach Paul took a lot of time not only to watch the underwater but also to time them.  Might be something for your buckets.
The way you transition into your strokes in the IM was fun to watch.  It really showed that you were focused and understood the plan in approaching the event.  

It was very evident that we are starting to understand and are grasping that races have to start strong and that you have it within you to still finish the race.  A few of those events were we were off our times was because we were too timid on that first 25.  Coach Paul and I talked about this and we both agreed that after you explode off the blocks you need to stay with the field for that first 25.  Don’t let them swim away from you, because what you are doing is setting a slow pace, and your end up working harder. 

Last thing we want you to take away from this meet is the knowledge that where you are trying to accumulate points every single event your in matters.  The same thing happens at championship meets, High School championship meets where you are not only trying to get back to finals but your trying to score.  Bottom line after your finished an event and warm down, successful or not it’s time to focus on your next one and always keep moving forward to your next challenge.

We would finally like to thank all the parents for their support throughout the weekend with getting the kids to and from the pool and also for officiating and timing during the meet.  You all mak it easy for us.