The Week Ahead 12.31 to 1.5

As I look back on this past year, their were highs and lows both personally and professionally. Our first state championship in 30 years in record setting fashion ranks near the top in the highs of the year. I am also excited for the year to come and what this team can do throughout this year.  But as I go through this year end ritual of reflecting on the past and anticipating the future, it is always the little things that prick my emotions. The little things that I missed or opportunities that I ignored. The little words I could have or should have said.  I pray that I can do a better job with those little things in 2019.

OUR LAST MEET
This past Thursday's meet was a great one. We had great swims up and down the lineup and the guys proved that they can race and swim fast even when they are in events that were not their normal ones.
You can see results on the results page

New Years Relays -  We had a great time yesterday with our annual New Year's Relays. Despite a little chaos, the t-shirt relay, flying carpet relay, and the two person relay, to mention a few, were still a success and watching Ben Walters down a quart of eggnog in what seemed like one gulp, was a highlight.

The competition was fierce, but the Lickity Splits out "swam" the Red Hot Oompa Loompa's and the Los Agua Migos to win 26 - 20 - 21 respectively. We had a several new records in the process and we had the added benefit of some alumni joining us for their own relays.

Though we don't have splits you can see the results and the records on the teams Top Ten page. Once on the page, click on the "New Year's Relays" tab at the bottom.

CHRISTMAS BREAK PRACTICES
We continue to put in the hard work and with no meets until January 10th, we get to ramp things up a bit more this week. We also get to add some fun team activities on Thursday.

January 3 - Pizza and Bowling following practice. We head to Northside Pizza Hut after practice for lunch then next door to Northland lanes afterward. We should be done between between 1:30 and 2:00.

This Week's practice schedule:
Swimmers
December 31 - Practice 7:00-10:00
January 1 - NO PRACTICE
January 2 - Practice 9:30-12:30 (Dryland gear needed)
January 3 - Practice 7:00-10:00 (Pizza & Bowling to follow Pickup at Northland Lanes around 1:30)
January 4 - Practice 9:30-12:30 (Dryland gear needed)
January 5 - Practice 7:00-9:00

Divers
December 31 - Practice 8:00-10:00
January 1 - NO PRACTICE

January 2 - Practice 9:30-11:30
January 3 - Practice 8:00-10:00 **Pizza and bowling with the team following practice**

January 4 - Practice 9:30-11:30

THIS WEEK'S MEET SCHEDULE
No meets this week.

NEXT WEEK
January 10 - Meet @ East Grand Rapids

• Bus departs from the Aquatic Center at 4:00pm. 
• There will be a Zeeland pick up at 4:20. 
• Warmup begins at 5:00 
• Meet begins at 6:00.

A LOOK AHEAD
Saturday, January 12th: 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 11 teams joining us with about 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 Renae VanAst to see if they need further assistance in the hospitality room, or with Kirk or Kristen Assink for timer needs.