Author: greenmountainswimteam

First, for Shelby – http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/retroactive

Second – congrats to everyone who competed today! Not only were we EXTREMELY competitive with (Division 1) Columbine Knolls, close to 90 percent of today’s swims were season bests with TONS of personal bests. It’s crazy what 9 months did to you kids…

Because there were SO many great swims (just about every heat of that glorious 6 1/2 hour meet) I can’t mention them all but there’s a lot worth talking about.

Here were some highlights for me today –

– Getting the priceless ‘you’ve gotta be kidding me’ look and head shake from both Denney girls on multiple occasions as they got up on the block next to swimmers twice their size. Katie crushed some old times and Shelby hung darn close with CKST state record holder (lots of state records, actually) Ashley Weers (who only had 2-3 heads on her.)

– Getting a call from the Foothills League officials saying the only way Dylan Jacob gets to swim at league is if we tie bricks to his feet. His 25 free today – 18.4 seconds. Last year’s league champ? 19.03. Anyone else excited for week 3?

– Watching Scotty Way “get it” today. He made me promise him that he swam the best of anyone on the team today, but seeing as how he averaged about a 15 second drop for every race he swam, it’s hard to argue..

– Cheering Derek Stein on to 2 league times and one solid B (practically league) at one of his strongest showings since league ’05.

– Watching Brady Cotten get his groove – and his mojo – back, debuting a new block dance and dropping some real time in his breaststroke, qualifying for league once more. Now if we could get the kid to grow a few (six) inches…

– Having Gator newbies Ellie Howell and Emma Sargent swim their first butterfly races ever, stay completely legal, then get out and tell me with big smiles how much ‘fun‘ that was. Uhh…yeah!

– Seeing Tim Palese compete (and compete hard!) in his first meet ever after a tough bout with illness and a rather scary block experience Friday. Gotta love that spirit!

– Seeing Ashley Hill back in the water after an adversity-filled year that has only made her a stronger person. She serves as an inspiration to her coaches and all of her teammates and we’re thrilled to have her back in the Gator family this summer.

– Being a firsthand witness to history and watching our esteemed (and oh-so-humble) 15-18 men fend off three CKST relays and set a team record (a record that isn’t safe as long as these guys are together) in the medley relay with the team of Cody Spencer, Brian Pak, Josh Fleming and Riley Zelus. That 2:04 at the beginning of the meet? It didn’t just break a record, it pumped up the team and put us on track for a great day. That’s what real champions do. Someone call Tim Campbell and tell him we’re on a mission to stamp his name out of that record book for good…

– Watching all the parents volunteer their time so readily this week and last! These meets don’t run without you and I’ve been very impressed with our efficiency. It makes a big difference to the coaches and the swimmers and we appreciate it (except Julie, who demands to be fed grapes and dusted with a soft mist next week.)

And again, there are so many more people I could have talked about, I was really proud of the effort we put in today!

Don’t forget –

Ken Caryl AND the ACC Pentathlon are in 2 WEEKS! You have 2 more meets to qualify for those events (intrasquad Weds. and meet vs. Stingrays Sat.) so you need to check your status and make sure you choose your events wisely! I’ll post more details on that soon. If you qualify, I’d STRONGLY recommend attending! Those are 2 of my favorite meets of the year!

ALSO – I haven’t received any photos from parents yet! If you have anything, please send it to me ASAP! Mr. Landers spent virtually the entire meet shooting Gators in action, a special thanks to him – can’t wait to see the shots! I’ll be posting a super condensed version of this post onto YourHub.com tomorrow for Thursday publication (hopefully) so I’d really like to publish some of your work!

morinl@colorado.edu

Ok well it’s late now, I’m glad you all get to see how I spend my Saturday nights… Have a great weekend, we’ll see everyone Monday!

I can do that, right?

Sorry, forgot to post about this one before practice but I was tired from mowing the monster weeds at the club all day and my brain wasn’t really working. Anyways it’s about 41 degrees, I would hope no one showed up..

If you did show up, we keep the thumb screws in the back of the snack bar, I’ll get ’em out for you tomorrow…

That said, tomorrow morning is looking a bit like this morning. For those of you who slept in, we actually did end up getting people who showed up in for all 3 practices, but it was a touch cold. It’ll probably be the same drill for tomorrow, especially if it’s sunny again. Just use your discretion, I won’t be mad if you don’t bring your 6-year-old, I’ll be less sympathetic if you don’t get your 16-year-old butt out of bed.

Finally, YourHub.com online editor Erin Feese got in touch with me today and said she’d be willing to give us some space in the paper every week if we submit it to her. Well she couldn’t promise it, but it sounds like she’s got a quarter-page slot she needs to fill (the same slot we filled today. Here’s the extended version.) and is requesting highlights, results and an action photo after each meet. I’ll take care of the results and highlights, but I need help with photos. So get nutty with your cameras at meets, shoot me some great action shots, get them to me in a timely manner and they might get published. It might even go front page one of these weeks (she said we’ll get one cover…) and I can post lots of photos online.

I’ll also get a photo sharing community together soon, sorry, I know, lots of promises, not so many results yet.

That’s it, make sure you check up on the site tomorrow, I’ll definitely post relays PRE-MEET so we’re all on the same page come Saturday morning!

Thanks!

p.s. commenting on the blog is OK. In fact, I’d be at least 10 percent less cranky in the morning if I knew you read the blog (compared to 500 percent less cranky if you brought me coffee…)

Rather than “moving in during the during the night and settling in over Denver” the “storm” doesn’t appear to be here yet. Kathy Sabine can be such a liar sometimes (but I still love her.) It’s a little colder than usual but, c’mon.

Anyways upper division practice is still on. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

If things take a turn for the worse by the later practices, you may call the club (303-985-5880) and I’ll try to keep the phone with me. But I’ll also be coaching (and expecting thousands, if not millions of calls), so I’ll just update the message if I can’t answer. And 8-under parents, don’t take the 65 degree thing 100 percent seriously, but if it’s too cold for your kid, you’re allowed to keep em home.

OK see everyone at the pool.

That we’ll be forced to cancel morning practice.

Despite the beautiful forecast, (47, feels like 40, 20 mph winds. Really, I just want the pool all to myself.) I do not endorse torturing swimmers in most situations.

I’ll post before it’s time to leave in the morning (maybe not by much) but uh, use your common sense. Except you 13-18 year olds, I know that part of your brain is on an extended lunch break. Ask your little sister. Just don’t call poor Sandy.

Julie also wanted me to pass it on that if it’s not 65 degrees (it won’t be) don’t bring your 8-unders. Unless they’ve been especially sassy…

We WILL be doing relays tomorrow for Saturday’s meet, regardless of whether we have practice or not. I need any missing entries ASAP by e-mail! MorinL@Colorado.Edu

Some final reminders –

Letters of interest for the open coach’s assistant jobs are due Saturday. Strong coffee brewing experience a plus.

Warmups for Saturday’s meet vs Columbine Knolls (at GMSC) will be as follow

• 12-unders – 6:00 a.m. – 6:15 a.m. (be at pool at 5:45 a.m.)
• 13-ups – 6:15 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. (be at pool at 6:00 a.m.)

I’ll post everything possible from team manager as soon as I get the time to figure out how (might be tomorrow, if the pool doesn’t open)

See everyone tomorrow.

Or not.

Hey everyone!



Sorry the blog has been M.I.A. the last few days, this weird thing called ‘work’ popped up out of nowhere and just won’t leave me alone…



A few announcements –



FIRST – Job announcment! Any of you who have been lucky enough to be around at 9 have seen that our 8-under division has exploded in size!! We’re thrilled to have so many newcomers, but at the same time we need some help getting it under control.



We’re looking to hire two people to come every day from 9-9:45 and get in with the kids and help them learn. The positions will go 5 weeks (or so) and will pay $5 a day (that’s like, $7 an hour or something.)



All upper division swimmers are welcome and encouraged to apply! If you are interested, please turn in a short letter of interest to either myself or Julie by Saturday! It’s a great opportunity to make some extra money and get really valuable teaching/coaching experience that could help you get a job later down the road…



SECOND – Meet sign-up was today! If you missed practice/didn’t sign up for the meet, please come tomorrow to get on the list. If you CAN’T attend tomorrow and missed today, please send your entries to me via e-mail – morinl@colorado.edu. Bailey and Caleb – you’re covered.



That’s it for now, work is back and he’s starting to nag…

A few things to note for MONDAY!

• Morning practice starts
• Upper Division – 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
• Please COME and be on time! We’ll be having a quick meeting at 6:30 to discuss the season and a few other things.
• 9-12 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
• 8-unders – 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

• Night practice will start for upper division, Monday/Tuesday/Thursday
• 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Night practice is OPTIONAL and meant to supplement morning practice, not necessarily to replace it. If you can make the morning, we’d like to see you there!

I’m currently also working on setting up a photo sharing system where parents can post photos they take online. And still working on obtaining/posting results. Coming, promise!

Thanks! See y’all Monday.