League bound!

Hello everyone!

First off – Congratulations NEW LEAGUE QUALIFIERS Jason Mortenson, Kevin Mercy and Michael Tsarevski! These guys all 3 hit the 9-10 breaststroke qualifying time at Last Chance today! Well done!

So that brings our total to…48. So close! We’ll talk up a new deal tomorrow..

Also a special congrats to Morgan Genkinger and Duncan Sutherland, both of whom picked up qualifying times in events today, and everyone else who came and swam today. It’s been a looooong weekend, everyone deserves some rest.

Speaking of long weekend, we finished our league entries after a long 5 hours today. I would post them but I don’t have the meet on my computer yet. I should have everything by tomorrow so I can get it up online. But all entries, relay and individual, will be posted tomorrow.

Please note – we added B relays for some age groups but did NOT fill in names because we were not entirely sure who would be available. We’re counting on the ENTIRE upper division being there, minus the Engers. PLEASE let us know asap if you are a 15-18 and can’t come, especially if you already told me and I forgot.

The follow age groups have B relays:

8-under girls
9-10 boys
9-10 girls

If you are in one of these age groups and would like to be in a relay, we can almost certainly make that happen. Just show up to practice and let us know. If we don’t see you, you’ll probably hear from us. There are NO 13-14 boys relays.. We’ll be strong there next year, promise.

That’s it! Julie and I will NOT be at practice Monday morning. If any upper division swimmers are willing and able, we’d LOVE to have your help for the second 2 practices.

Also remember that Monday and Thursday night practice are open to EVERYONE SWIMMING LEAGUE! They will consist of a long warm-up and then starts and turns. Come if you can!

Thanks!

1 down, 1 to go!

Hello again!

First thing – the Lakewood meet is usually good and today was no exception.

When I pulled up at 5:45 a.m. this morning I thought – WOW, my team showed up on time today! Actually, Lakewood was there… Betty may not have the biggest team any more, but by God were they ready to go today.

Our relays swam very well (especially the 15-18 men’s 1-2 SWEEP in the Free Relay) and we had a surprising number of best times, considering where we are in the season (i.e. about to begin taper..)

Here’s your Sports Center recap with 30 seconds of high-definition, in-your-face action! Err, uh, just read fast and it’ll seem more exciting…

Kelsey Tuttle learned to swim fly correctly, finally. I guess it’s my fault, I never told her to pull her arms out *cough, except for every week, cough cough* but regardless now she got it down and will probably kick some serious butt tomorrow…

Alex Sutherland got within .2 seconds of the team record in the 100 Breast in a race that could only be described as sassy. And Lauren didn’t even yell at me during her IM this week…

Cody’s cousin (Lakewood swimmer Dane Kelly) asked me to take my eye out more than Cody usually does… Maybe I’ll donate it to the Spencers to hang on the family Christmas tree.

The Giustos (Luke and Evan) decided to come to the ol’ league meet next weekend rather than camp with an in-town cousin.. Everyone should do a Snoopy dance to celebrate.

Brian Pak and Casey Zelus swam their last races at The Swamp today, proving that all good things must indeed come to an end. Their class, leadership and companionship will certainly be missed, let’s enjoy these two for the last 2 weeks while we can!

Tons of kids swam their last races of the season today. Thanks for ALL your hard work and all of your personal contributions to the team! My experience and the experiences of your teammates wouldn’t be the same without you – I really hope you had a great time! Sleep in, but make SURE you come to the pizza party Wednesday!

Congrats to NEW LEAGUE QUALIFIERS Olivia Moore and Carina Wang! That puts our total up at 45 and we’ve got one more day – let’s make it a fast one! 5 more is more doable than you think…

Speaking of one more – let’s talk about Last Chance

First – Here’s your map! Detail is zoomed in on the Indiana exit off 6th Ave. Just go right on up into the the housing developments, looks very easy to find.

Seond – Warm-up is at 6:20 – please be READY TO GO at that time! Being late to the last chance meet is like forgetting your suede shoes at the dance – just don’t do it.

Third – If there’s EVER been a meet where you’ve needed to come talk to your coaches before your races, this is probably it. Rich (wedding) and Julie (Knee-braska) won’t be there, but Shelby and I will be. Here’s your checklist for the evening (this pretty much applies for league/state too…) –

– Drink TONS of water (I told everyone they needed to pee at least 3 times before they went to bed. You better get on the ball.)

– Stretch tonight and tomorrow morning. Meets tend to lead to some lactic acid build-up, and some of you simply haven’t been in the pool at all since you’ve been out of town.

– Eat something grainy and full of carbohydrates, like delicious pasta and bread. Try not to eat much in terms of fat, grease or sugar.

SLEEP! Go to bed by 9! Wake up early and stretch! Be on time!

And that’s it! Have a great night everyone, see some of ya in the morning.

Meet photos and more!

First – So sorry for not posting about tonight’s canceled practice, this is the first computer access I’ve had since we closed the pool. If you actually showed up tonight I’ll cry a little tear for you before I go to bed…

As usual, Mr. Miguel Lander was kind enough to take his personal time at the intrasquad and has some more fantastic photos to share with everyone. You can check out the whole album at http://picasaweb.google.com/mvlander/GMSTSwimMeet71107! You definitely have to check it out…

Speaking of the meet, congrats to NEW LEAGUE QUALIFIER REBECCA GARNER! She had a very exciting 400 race where she literally qualified by hundredths of a second in a 6 minute race.. Congrats! We’ve got a couple more RIGHT on the brink, let’s hope for a big weekend!

And thanks to all of the parents/swimmers who stuck around to cheer and help us set up/take down the meet.. We had a great time and quite a few big swims..

Oh and congrats to the (exhibition) upper division relays that swim oh-so-fast at the end of the meet. Unfortunately, one relay was petrified of the parents (Jay Wilsey spit in their lane while Dave Kruse pulled their little speedos over their heads…) and added an extra (and illegal) boy.. The other relay included Cody (who hasn’t showered in a week…gross) so obviously they couldn’t get enough swimmers and Mr. Spencer had to swim (illegally) twice.

So congrats to the parents, better luck next year upper division, and coaches – you’d better start training now or I’ll blind you with my tan line again…

Past my bedtime! Saturday warm-up is at 6 at GM! Relays will be at the pool tomorrow! Check em, we’re looking a little slim this week…


Goodnight!

Intrasquad!

Running late but…

Don’t forget! 5:30 p.m. warm-up, 6:00 p.m. start tonight! A GREAT chance to pick up any times you need!

Also we WILL be doing coach/parent relays tonight, and the upper division will get it’s butt kicked as usual… If you’re interested in participating, bring a suit! We’ll find you a slot!

Polo, Cody update..

For those of you wondering this morning, the weather has warmed. Anyways the forecast is calling for showers essentially all day, but we’ll see if that pattern holds

Anyways I’m still planning to be at the pool for a board meeting at 7. If it’s very nasty the meeting will likely be moved, which would mean that I couldn’t be there for practice (which would also mean that it would be too nasty for polo…)

Anyways call the club before you go if it’s questionable, I’ll leave a message with the guards there. 303-985-5880.

As for Cody –

As of last night he had been released from the hospital mid afternoon and was doing quite well. Apparently he was even cleared for practice this morning, but wanted to give it another day just in case.

Anyways that’s great news, but we will be asking Cody to wear a helmet (the race car driver kind) next time he enters the pool…