A Belated Week in Review and a Post Haste Look at the Week Ahead

Thanks for your patience. With my daughter being gone to NYC with Living Hope, Ellen and I wanted to finish up some long promised painting in her bedroom. Combine that with planning our Middle School exploratory classes and trying to take care of semester grades, and still doing practices, I got a little behind and this blog  was the most logical thing to put off.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Despite the limited time in the pool due to exams, we had a great week of practices and a very good meet on Tuesday. I am continually impressed with the progress our guys are making. Their hard work is really to paying off. I wasn't sure if we could perform with the same enthusiasm on Tuesday as we had at our invitational on Saturday, but the team again impressed.

MEET SPLITS from Tuesday's meet We had some great performances again at this meet. Best performances by Shane Lonergan  and for Marten Schrotenboer in Diving. Great swims by Seth Van Ast and Gerrit Hilbelink in the 200, by Jacob Bol in the 100 back and a 1-2 finish by our freshman breaststrokers Ben Eizenga and Bryce Koopman each recording personal best times. Other great swims by so many - 32 season or lifetime best.

There are three things I can expect every season and they seem to go hand in hand:

1. Colds and flu happen - It's Michigan. It's the winter. Weakened bodies are vulnerable. Illnesses are bound to happen. Encourage your sons to take care of their bodies as best they can. Sleep right. Dress right. Eat right.

2. Motivation wanes - It's Michigan. It's winter. Everybody gets cabin fever and the motivation to get in the water often times comes short of what is needed. I love the Zig Ziglar's quote "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." Parents, continue to encourage your son. Athletes be encouraged by the progress you continue to make in the pool and on the board. The only way to defeat a lack of motivation is to look back at what you have accomplished, say "what's the next goal?" and pursue it.

3. Patience grows thin - It's Michigan. It's winter (not the beautiful, good, fun part of winter either; the dreary, short days part of winter), everybody is getting cabin fever and this is a group of people that spends 15-20 hours a week together. There is a family kind of dynamic that comes with the bond that a team builds - we can drive each other crazy.  The very things that God has given us as gifts can drive our team mates up a wall. Funny how the grandest calling in God's plan for us - to love one another - takes the most practice. And He often gives us plenty of opportunities to do just that. Continue to encourage in this area, too.

THE WEEK AHEAD

This Week's Practice & Meet Notes and Special Events

Reminder: Times on the calendar for meets are the times that the athletes must be on deck or that the bus will be departing from the Aquatic Center.

• Tuesday, Jan. 22nd We have an Away Meet @ Zeeland - Athletes should be on deck at the Zeeland West HS Pool by 5:20 (Northwest side of Zeeland West HS).
• Thursday, Jan. 24th Away Meet vs. East Grand Rapids - Bus departs from the Aquatic Center at 4:00pm. Warm up is at 5:00, Meet is at 6:00. (Reminder that this is a dress up day).
• Saturday, January 26 - Hair Bleaching following our normal Saturday practice and pancakes.Haste

• Bleaching is not required. It is a traditional year end team bonding. As we get closer to the end of the season, hair has become very chlorine damaged and is ready to be cut short for the championship meets. In the mean time, we have some fun with it.

Looking Down the Lane

Conference is 4 weeks from Thursday. Amazing. We have lots to do between now and then. Lots of things yet to accomplish.

• Tuesday, Jan. 29 Home Meet vs Holland
• Friday, Feb. 1 Pizza and movie night  - Details TBA
• Tuesday, Feb12 Senior Night