Week 7 - A Great Meet, A Great Week.

What a great meet to bring us to the end of a week that was out of the ordinary, to say the least, and a first half of the season (for most of our athletes) that was beyond the ordinary for our team over the last couple seasons. We had so many great swims and great performances on the board today that I can't list them all. However there are a few worth noting.

• A total of 22 lifetime bests. 
• There were a good mix of lifetime bests from our most experienced swimmers and divers to our least experienced. 
• Some new relay combinations that open our opportunities as we near our championship season. 
• "B" relays that make us very competitive as a dual meet team. 
• A few swimmers knocking on the door of individual state cuts. 
• Skyler as a double event winner and meet record breaker in the 500. 
• A third place finish as a team. 

A "great meet" indeed!

I am as excited for so many things on this team. Swims like Hudson's and Brant's in the IM and Curtis' in the 100 fly, or Levi's in the 200 and 500 and Steve's in the 500 and Ben's in the 100 Breast excite me as much as Skyler and Brandon's 500, or Johannes' close races in the 50 and fly or the great swims by our relays.

I think the rest of the team feels the same way.

We have an extraordinary team that has come together nicely. We are a group that practices hard (most days), encourages one another (most days) and does both with a light heartedness that makes coaching them so enjoyable. I am so proud of this ENTIRE group.

A big "thank you" goes out to everyone who helped out Saturday. This meet has become one of the premiere invitationals in the state because of the fast times, but also because of how the meet is run and the hospitality that teams receive. This reputation is in no small way a reflection of the people that help make it happen. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!

TOP TIMES
You can see all of the splits here. Remember that Negative numbers in the right column indicate the amount of time that an athlete has improved in the swim (Diving is actually just the opposite).

Here we are at the midpoint of the season and we are having some really good performances.
Here are top times to date:
  - With Relay Splits (Relay splits indicated by an "N")
  - No Relay Splits (These are flat start and relay leadoff "L" times)

SWIMMERS!! As you look at the splits remember that the first 50 of your 100 should be about 1 second slower than your best flat start 50 (1.5 - 2 seconds slower for the first 50 of your 200). One of the biggest mental hurdles to overcome is the fear of going out too fast. You have to go out fast in order to make those goal times.


THE UPCOMING WEEK
Tuesday, Jan 12 at home vs EGR and Ludington. Boys should be on deck by 5:20. Expect to see guys swimming some different events for this meet.

Friday - Pizza & Movie Night?! I normally try to have a pizza night and encourage another family
or two to host one during the season as well. We are long overdue! However, I have some additional

demands on my time as I try to help my siblings redecorate my parent's condo as they spend a few weeks in Florida.

If you are willing to host a team pizza and movie night this week or anytime over the next month please let me know.



LOOKING AHEAD
Tuesday, Jan 19 at home vs Hamilton. Boys should be on deck by 5:20.

Hair Bleaching – Friday, January 29 is the tentative date for this tradition. 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. It is a year end team bonding tradition.

This is never required but is more fun when most or all of the team participates. I will have a parent release form to make sure that your son is doing this willingly.