Week 8 - Conference Week

“It’s one thing to have the faith to get started, but it’s another thing to have the fortitude to finish strong.” – Kami Dempsey

This shortened season is quickly coming to an end. Too quickly in my opinion. As a team, we are just getting to know each other and the peer encouragement and support seems to be just beginning to have a positive impact on the group as a whole.

None the less, here we are, and I'm excited to see what this team can do when rested and ready to race. This is a busy week and our focus on this championship meet has to be laser like. From sleep to homework to food the focus of the athlete and the help of the family are all important.

STAY VIGILANT

I talked with athletes on Friday about staying vigilant in combating exposure to Covid. Wayland & EGR schools just went back to virtual and Wayland shut down all sports. We don't want to be put in that position, so it is important that athletes and families are both staying vigilant with all of the precautions that may take out an athlete or, worse yet, multiple athletes at the end of our season. Have the fortitude to finish this part of the season as well.

CONFERENCE WEEK
As you go into this week, 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". 

At the meet, between warm up and the actual meet, you will be on deck for 5+ hours. There will be a very specific timeline for this meet (I'll share later) with longer, event specific warm ups, cool downs and awards breaks every two or three events. Be sure to bring plenty of snacks and a couple water bottles or other drinks so that you can stay fueled-up throughout the session. On Saturday, eat a good breakfast (much more than just a piece of toast!). 

Each swimmer needs to bring a pair of comfortable, broken-in tennis shoes to wear on-deck during the meet. 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. 

This is a NO SPECTATORS meet, but will be live-streamed using the NFHS system.


THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

PRACTICES
Swimmers

Monday & Tuesday Normal Practice Time: 3:20-5:30

Wednesday & Thursday
Conference Swimmers - In the water from 3:20 - 4:45ish.
    *This would be a good day to get your hair cut short if you want to get rid of some build and damaged hair.

State Swimmers - 3:20-5:30

Friday
Conference Swimmers: 3:00-4:00 Swimmers stay at the High School at The Well to finish homework.
   *4:00-5:30 Last Practice
   *5:30 All practices will be done.

   *Shave down should be done about 7:00 Finish at home if needed.

GO HOME FOR A GREAT HIGH CARB MEAL (PASTA IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE)

State Swimmers - 3:20-5:30ish

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SHAVE DOWN - Shaving is required for ALL SWIMMERS. The shave down is as much about a psychological boost as it is about removing hair. The feel that a swimmer gains from shaving (caused by the removal of a small layer of skin) gives a psychological boost that is hard to explain. Arms, legs, and chest and back should all be shaved.

Here is an article about the history and impact of the shave down.
Here is a great article about the do's and don'ts with helpful hints for the shave down.

PRACTICES

Divers
Monday Thru Thursday Normal Practice Time: Running through lists 2 to 3 times.

Conference Meet
AT Zeeland High School March 12 and March 13

Friday, March 12 - Diving
    12:45pm - Facility opens for coaches and athletes ONLY
    1:00 - Boards open for warm-up
    3:00 - Competition Begins (11 dives)

Saturday, March 13 - Swimming
    10:00am - Facility opens for coaches and athletes ONLY
    10:15 - Pool opens for warm up (we have the first assigned session)
    12:00p - Competition Begins

FURTHER AHEAD

Tuesday, March 16 - Last Chance Tri  at HOME

This is a final meet for our swimmers. I'd like ALL swimmers without state cuts to participate in two events they didn't swim at conference.

We will need timers for this meet.

Diving Regionals
Friday, March 18 - @ East Grand Rapids
Time to be determined


State Meet
Friday, March 26 - Diving @ Hamilton
    Warm up 3:00-5:15
    Diving Competition begins at 5:30

Saturday, March 27 - Swimming @ Holland Aquatic Center
    Warm up 12:00- 1:45
    Competition begins at 2:00
    This will again be a NO SPECTATOR event. However, there will be timer slots available for parents     of athletes with individual cuts.