IT'S STATE WEEK - GO MAROONS!!

THE FINISH

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. ~ Colin Powell

You guys have put in the sweat and hard work, all that remains is the determination that it takes in every race and on every dive.

This is our final week. Our final four practices. Then... we're headed to state with a great group of determined athletes. It's a big meet! It's the last meet! As we approach this final meet, 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.

I'm always amazed at how sports in general, and swimming in particular, imitates life. Hard work produces positive results, but God is the one that produces the ability to do the hard work. You are not given the gifts you have by accident - those in the pool and gifts you have in other areas. 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
PRACTICES

• MONDAY thru WEDNESDAY - Normal Practice 3:30-5:30ish (I added the "ish" in there because the boys say that my "5:30" ends up being 5:55.

PRE-MEET DETAILS  CLASSES

• The athletes will be missing 7th and 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, but you need to 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. We should be able to get some bleacher seats on deck, but if not, we'll need our own chairs to sit in.

MONEY
The school supplies about $20 for a meal. So....

• Swimmers will need to bring extra money for four additional meals (On the way there and back and breakfast Friday and Saturday)
• 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
Athletes will be released from school after 6th Hour (1:05)
1:40-3:00 - Practice
3:30 Head to Auburn Hills

   We will eat at on the way (probably Fazzoli's).
7:00 Arrival

FRIDAY
9:30 - O'rena Ticket Office and doors to the spectator area open on third floor.
12:00 - Prelims begin.
3:30 ish Diving Prelims begin.

SATURDAY
9:30 - O'rena Ticket Office and doors to the spectator area open on third floor.
12:00 – Finals Begin.

• Divers 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.