The Week In Review
Great Work
What a great couple weeks of practice. I am looking forward to seeing these boys back in competition this week. For most, this has been a couple good weeks of very good work! Other than the first two weeks of the season, it isn't very often that we get this type solid work without too many interruptions. The value of the Christmas break practices is that the guys get time in the water at a time when general conditioning is not a factor and focused, sustained work levels can be maximized.
Weather Issues
Obviously the weather is big talk today and will be for the next couple. As school closes, please make sure that that you are watching your email for practice or meet information on those days.
Health Issues
We have a few guys that are finally on the mend. For some who have gotten the cold and flu bugs that are going around, the impact is just a few days. But for a few others, whatever they caught has really hit them rather hard. Though you can't usually avoid these bugs, you can do your best by using good hygiene at home and school, getting sufficient sleep, and dressing warmly (hats, etc.).
Encourage & Celebrate
I want to encourage parents to keep track of the progress of their son and his team mates. Not pressuring, not coaching, just encouraging and celebrating.
In a sport where times are recorded and races won and loss by the 100th of a second, a drop of a two tenths in the 50 or a couple seconds in a 200 is a huge accomplishment and worth celebrating. Equally worthy are those endless milestones that our team members get through the season. Their first 500, or 200 IM or 100 Fly; their first time under 30 in the 50 or 1:00 in the 100; their first time attempting a new dive or the first 6 or 7 or 8 that they awarded from a diving judge In fact I missed one following our last meet when Brad recorded his first performance scoring above 200 for 6 dives). It is one of the beauties of this sport, there is never a lack of accomplishments to celebrate. Then, as soon as the celebrating is done, the next challenge and goal is put in front of them. Isn't that the way life is - pursue a challenge and celebrate the accomplishment of meeting that challenge - and God celebrates those accomplishments right along with us . . . "Celebrate everything that you and your families have accomplished under the blessing of God, your God." Deut. 12:7 (The Message)
What a great couple weeks of practice. I am looking forward to seeing these boys back in competition this week. For most, this has been a couple good weeks of very good work! Other than the first two weeks of the season, it isn't very often that we get this type solid work without too many interruptions. The value of the Christmas break practices is that the guys get time in the water at a time when general conditioning is not a factor and focused, sustained work levels can be maximized.
Weather Issues
Obviously the weather is big talk today and will be for the next couple. As school closes, please make sure that that you are watching your email for practice or meet information on those days.
Health Issues
We have a few guys that are finally on the mend. For some who have gotten the cold and flu bugs that are going around, the impact is just a few days. But for a few others, whatever they caught has really hit them rather hard. Though you can't usually avoid these bugs, you can do your best by using good hygiene at home and school, getting sufficient sleep, and dressing warmly (hats, etc.).
Encourage & Celebrate
I want to encourage parents to keep track of the progress of their son and his team mates. Not pressuring, not coaching, just encouraging and celebrating.
In a sport where times are recorded and races won and loss by the 100th of a second, a drop of a two tenths in the 50 or a couple seconds in a 200 is a huge accomplishment and worth celebrating. Equally worthy are those endless milestones that our team members get through the season. Their first 500, or 200 IM or 100 Fly; their first time under 30 in the 50 or 1:00 in the 100; their first time attempting a new dive or the first 6 or 7 or 8 that they awarded from a diving judge In fact I missed one following our last meet when Brad recorded his first performance scoring above 200 for 6 dives). It is one of the beauties of this sport, there is never a lack of accomplishments to celebrate. Then, as soon as the celebrating is done, the next challenge and goal is put in front of them. Isn't that the way life is - pursue a challenge and celebrate the accomplishment of meeting that challenge - and God celebrates those accomplishments right along with us . . . "Celebrate everything that you and your families have accomplished under the blessing of God, your God." Deut. 12:7 (The Message)
What's Up This Week
Tuesday, Jan. 8th Home Meet vs. Spring Lake - Athletes should be on deck by 5:20. If there is a school cancelation, I will be communicating via Facebook, Twitter, and email any developments regarding the meet.
Saturday, January 11th - HOSTING the Division 3 Mid Season Invitational
Athletes should be on deck by 9:15.
Warmup for this meet is at 9:30.
Timers should be on deck by 10:40.
Meet starts at 11:00
Divers will be doing an 11 dive championship list (first time for our freshman) and the diving competition runs simultaneously to the swimming portion of the meet.
The meet should wrap up before 3:00.
This is a first experience of a meet of this caliber and type for many of our athletes (and parents). It is as close to a championship atmosphere as you will experience until you get to our conference meet in late February.
Make sure that you (your son) takes some additional snacks (PB&J, nutritional bars, trail mix, etc.) and a couple Gatorades that they can eat and drink to help fuel your body and help it recover during the long meet.
Thanks so much for all the work you guys put into this meet. All of the athletes and coaches appreciate this meet as one of the premier invitationals of their season and appreciate the work you put into it.
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