THIS WEEK'S REFLECTION
Despite a tough week and a tough meet on Thursday, I am continually encouraged by the progress of our team. The work ethic of this group impresses me and with that work ethic, our season can only get better.
We had some rough swims. I expressed to the guys after the meet that their experience at a pool like Otsego's should emphasize the need to cool down after their events when they have the opportunity. Despite the meet not going the way I had hoped, we had some really nice performances by Garrett Hilbelink, Brandon Schreur, Steve VanAst, Brad Houskamp, and Marten Schrotenboer. The stud of the meet goes to Ross Assink for his near back to back to back events.
Meet Splits - Here is the MEET SPLITS for Thursday's meet. These show comparisons to lifetime best times.Negative numbers in the right column indicates the amount of time that an athlete has improved in the swim (Diving is actually just the opposite). After our first couple meets, I will only make comparisons to season bests.
There are still several areas that we need to work on.
- Conditioning - is coming along nicely but still has a long way to go. The good news is, it is an area that naturally improves as the season progresses.
- Turns - this is an area that is easy to improve on by just doing them well in practice on EVERY TURN. We're getting better, but need to create good habits. What you do in practice is what you will do in a meet.
- Underwaters - The easiest way to win events is to not swim. Streamlined underwater is the fastest place to be in every event. However, if that underwater is weak, it doesn't help at all.
- Technique - Listening and doing the little things that we try to correct in practice and then doing them consistently from that point on. What you do in practice is what you will do in a meet.
- Conditioning - Yep, it's worth mentioning twice. Though it does happen naturally, it can improve more quickly with fewer excuses during sets. Stretching, adjusting goggles, quick trips to the bathroom in the middle of a set don't help in your conditioning consistency. What you do in practice is what you will do in a meet.
THIS WEEK'S PRACTICE NOTES: Dec. 22 - Dec. 27
As we look ahead, we need to look at our CHRISTMAS BREAK PRACTICES - We will practice during most of the Christmas break from 8:00-11:00. Remember, these are required practices unless excused by a parent for family vacations.
Note the special activities we have planned for the break. These are fun team building and bonding activities. I know that a couple of them don't coincide with the diver's schedule very well, but I want to encourage them to be a part of what we have planned.
If not noted separately, weekday practices are 8-11 and Saturdays are our normal 8-10
- December 24 - NO PRACTICE
- December 25 - NO PRACTICE
- December 30 - Pizza and Bowling following practice.
- January 1 - NO PRACTICE
- January 3 - Annual New Years Relays (a fun inter squad competition).
WISHING YOU ALL A BLESSED CHRISTMAS.
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