Push To the Finish -

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Well, "the winter that never ends" had an impact on us this week. However, the end result, from a coaching perspective, couldn't have been better. With great practices for nearly every one, nearly every day this week, a week that I was dreading (three weeks of double meets are never good as we get close to taper), the week  turned out really well. 

Guys are really practicing well. Pushing themselves and each other. I can't wait to see them race again.

THE WEEK AHEAD

This Week's Practice & Meet Notes

• Tuesday, Feb. 4th  Meet at Byron Center. We will leave on the bus from the Aquatic Center at 4:45. Boys should be at the pool by 4:35 so that we can depart on time. Today will be a dress up day.

• Thursday, Feb. 6th Home Meet vs Grand Rapids Christian and Hamilton. Boys should be on deck by 5:20. This is Senior Night so Senior Parents should be ready to go on deck by the announcer's table by 6:20.

• Tuesday, Feb. 11th  Meet vs Unity Chr. at Hudsonville HS.  We will leave on the bus from the Aquatic Center at 4:45. Boys should be at the pool by 4:35 so that we can depart on time. Today will be a dress up day.

Further On Up the Road 

Conference Meet is just under 3 weeks away (Feb. 21 & 22). Amazing! We have lots to do between now and then. Lots of things yet to accomplish. There will be lots of demands for  time and assistance as we host the conference meet this year. so watch for emails from me or Coach Herrman in that regard.

Ready for Taper? 

During the next three weeks swimmers (Those not qualified for state) begin the taper portion of the season. Taper is that time of the year when workouts change. Yardage decreases while intensity and speed increase with the intent of preparing and "resting" the body for the championship portion of the season. If you want a little more detail about taper, here is a nice little article that explains it well. 
Swimmers should have tights to wear at practice beginning Wednesday the 12th. I suggest tights that are nylon and footless (hemmed at the ankle), not heavy "winter" tights.

• Tights are used to enhance drag during taper but heavy winter tights provide too much drag. The footless tights don't unravel during the two weeks or so of swimming with them on.

Championship Week's Special Events 

• Wednesday, Feb 19th will be our Haircut Day after practice. We will leave from practice and head to Coach Klaasen's house. 
• Judy is a hairstylist with her own salon in the house. She can do a wacky design or just a nice short cut, which ever you prefer.
• Bring $5 for the haircut and a few bucks to cover pizza.
• Thursday, Feb 20th - Shave Down for swimmers (this has some new facility wrinkles that I am working through, so stay tuned)
• All swimmers will shave down.  
• Thursday, Feb 20th - Pasta Meal for the team following Shave Down
• Details will be coming soon

Conference Meet Schedule

Friday, February 21st : Swimming & Diving Prelims
Swimming warm-ups - 3:00pm
Stands Open - 3:30pm
Diving warm-ups - 4:30pm
Swimming Preliminaries - 5:00pm
Diving Preliminaries and Semi-Finals - 6:30pm

Saturday, February 22nd : Swimming & Diving Finals
Warm-ups Begin - 10:00am
Stands Open - 10:30am
FINALS BEGIN (Swimming & Diving) - 12:00pm

Meet Workers (Main Jobs)

• Head Timer: Dave Goodyke
• Dave is following up with timer signups.
• Announcer: Michelle Hirdes??
• Diving Announcer: ?? I’m going to ask Art Tolsma again. ??
• Hospitality Coordinator: Sheryl Cook-Weeks
• Need an additional helper or two on each of the two days.
• Awards Table (Sat Only):
• Kids for Runners
• Posting Results (Fri and Sat):


• Awards (Sat Only):