Week 4 - It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Though the ground may not look like it and, with the exception of the last couple days, the weather hasn't felt like it, the signs of Christmas are everywhere. Lights, music, shoppers, decorations, and nativity scenes remind us of the season.

With those indicators of the season, comes the Christmas break practice load. In other sports, you may expect a little break from the work. In our sport however, the training ramps up a bit. These next two weeks are great times to take the great conditioning work you have been doing and build on it with more technique work and laser focused intensity. These two weeks are some of the most important training of the season.

My prayer is that all of you are blessed this Christmas with friends and family and the reminder of our God coming to earth to be one of us and taking on the long road to the cross for our salvation. 

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

May the birth of our Messiah and His sacrifice on  behalf of His people be the focus of your celebration this Christmas.

CHRISTMAS BREAK PRACTICES - We will be practice during most of the Christmas break from 8:00-11:00. Note the special activities we have planned for the break. These are fun team building and bonding activities. I hope everyone on the team can join us.

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
- December 24 & 25: NO PRACTICE
- December 26: Practice 8:00-10:00

NEXT WEEK
- December 29 - Jenison Invitational
          * We will depart by bus from the Aquatic Center at 9:00am.
          * Pick up for Zeeland athletes will be about 9:15.
          * Swimming begins at 11:30 and diving (11 dives) around 12:00

- December 31 - Pizza and Bowling following practice.
- January 1 - NO PRACTICE
- January 2 - Annual New Years Relays (a fun intra squad competition).

STAYING HEALTHY
Despite the break from the routine, don't forget about your health. Reread last week's post with those healthy tips. SLEEP and FUEL remain critical during these weeks.

UPCOMING MEETS
 - Tuesday, Jan. 5th Meet @ Spring Lake - We will leave by bus from the Aquatic Center at 4:30 with a north side pick up around 4:45 (open to easy bus access suggestions).

- Saturday, January 9th - HOSTING the Division 3 Midseason Invitational - This is a meet we have hosted for several years and it has grown to be one of the premiere meets in the state. We have 8 of the top 10 Division 3 teams in the state, right here in our pool. But we will need your help. Ben Herrman may contact you with some special task requests. Also, check with Danielle Hilbelink or Renae VanAst to see if they need further assistance in the hospitality room, or with Theresa Asselin for timer needs.