Press On To the Finish

THE FINISH
Our final week. Our final four practices. Then... we're headed to state with one of the largest groups I have taken ever. It's a big meet! It's the last meet! Go into it with optimism and determination.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ~Helen Keller

Through this season, I've watched all of you PRESS ON to prove something that is deep inside you. To prove that you are meant to be here at this moment, that you are meant to be Champions. Now, there's no place for doubt, or fear, or stress, or worry, or wondering. You have all worked too hard for too long to let those things creep into your mind this week. Trust your training and trust the talent that God has given you.

It's not hard to see how sports in general, and swimming in particular, imitates life. Hard work produces positive results. Never doubt the impact of the hard work you have put in. But, never forget that God is the one that produces the ability to do the hard work. You are not given the gifts you have by accident. God has a plan for how you use them and the lessons you learn from them. As we go into this week, represent our team and our school and our God well.

STATE WEEK

MONDAY thru WEDNESDAY - Normal Practice 3:30-5:30ish

Pre Meet Details

• CLASSES - The athletes will be missing 8th Hour on Thursday and ALL classes on Friday, you need to communicate with each of your teachers AHEAD OF TIME to get your assignments that will be due the following Monday. 
•  You will still be responsible for handing those in on-time. 
• Also, make sure to ask when you should turn in any assignments that are due this Friday; some teachers may require you to turn them in on Thursday, which is their right to request. 
• REST - We need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to stay rested up throughout the week. 
• Get enough/extra sleep and avoid adding extra vigorous physical activities. 
• If you have a question about something that you're doing, employ the motto "when in doubt, leave it out". 
• For those who are taking PE classes right now, I have emailed the PE teachers requesting that you be allowed to sit out for physical testing, running, etc. 
• SHAVE DOWN - Swimmers will be shaving-down at the hotel once we get there, so you need to make sure to bring your shaving supplies with you. 
• Try to clip leg hair at home Wednesday night. 
• SNACKS - Between warm up and the actual meet, each day of State will be 5+ hours long. Each day, be sure to bring PLENTY of snacks and a couple water bottles or other drinks so that you can stay fueled-up throughout each session. 
• We will have a cooler in the van and you will need to grab some stuff from there and bring your own stuff as well. 
• DECK SHOES - Each swimmer needs to bring a pair of comfortable, broken-in tennis shoes to wear on-deck during the meet on both Friday and Saturday. 
• Walking around barefoot on a hard-surfaced pool deck for five hours is more draining than you would expect. 
• Please clean the soles beforehand so we're not tracking dirt everywhere. 
• CHAIR - Each swimmer also needs to bring a bag chair. 
•  I'm not sure if we will be able to use them, but if we can, I want to have them available. 
• MONEY - The school is paying for our Friday evening dinner at Olive Garden and breakfast is provided by our hotel. 
• Swimmers will need to bring extra money for two meals (to and from the meet) 
• There will also be t-shirts for sale, so be prepared with extra cash if you'd like to purchase one of those as well.

THURSDAY

• You will be dismissed after 7th hour. 
• 2:30-3:45 - Practice 
• 4:15 Head to Saginaw 
• We will eat at Fazzoli's on the way. 
• 8:00 Arrival 

FRIDAY

• 10:00 Tickets go on sale 
• Seating is limited so get there early. Tickets for Saturday will go on sale after prelims. 
• 12:00 - Prelims begin. 
• 3:30 ish Diving Prelims begin. 

SATURDAY

• 10:00 Tickets go on sale 
• 12:00 – Finals Begin. 
• Diving will complete their final 3 dives in the normal diving spot. 
• There may be a live video feed available via the MHSAA website. 
• Finals will be completed around 4:00. 
• Depart around 4:30 
• I’d like to make the return trip as a team. 
• We will be stopping for food on the way home.