A Strange Week, A Fun Finish

 “The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.” ~ David Sarnoff

THIS WEEK'S REFLECTION

Great Work

Thanks for the dedication that many showed through the snow days this week. Because of that great work, I am looking forward to seeing these guys back in competition this week.

Encourage & Celebrate
I want to encourage parents to keep track of the progress of their son and his team mates. Not pressuring, not coaching, just encouraging and celebrating.

In a sport where times are recorded and races won and loss by the 100th of a second, a drop of a two tenths in the 50 or a couple seconds in a 200 is a huge accomplishment and worth celebrating. Equally worthy are those endless milestones that our team members get through the season. Their first 500, or 200 IM or 100 Fly; their first time under 30 in the 50 or 1:00 in the 100; their first time attempting a new dive or the first 6 or 7 or 8 that they are awarded from a diving judge

New Year's Relays
We finished the week with the renewal of our New Year's relays. It was a fun way to finish a strange
week. The Popeyes put up a good fight but could not overcome a 1, 2 finish by the NickEh30's in the Two Person Relay (one swimmer holds the ankles of the other, the rear person kicks, the front person pulls). You can see the winning relays and the relay records for this "meet" here.

 

Health Concerns
Obviously the Covid is still a concern but it is also cold and flu season. Though you can't completely avoid these bugs, you can do your best by using good practices, good hygiene at home and school, getting sufficient sleep,  and dressing warmly (hats, etc.).

THIS WEEK'S PRACTICE & MEET NOTES

Normal Practices all week - See the Exam Week information below.

• Saturday, January 15th - HOSTING the Division 3 Mid Season Invitational
• Athletes should be at the pool and on deck by 10:30. 
• I am encouraging our athletes to show up at the pool with their suits on and go right on deck to avoid too much contact with others n the locker room.
• Warmup for this meet is at 11:00. 
• Timers should be on deck by 12:15.
• Meet starts at 12:30 

• Divers will be doing an 11 dive championship list (first time for our freshman) and the diving competition runs simultaneously to the swimming portion of the meet. 
• This is a first experience of a meet of this caliber and type for many of our athletes (and parents). It is as close to a championship atmosphere as you will experience until you get to our conference meet in late February. 
• Make sure that you (your son) takes some additional snacks (PB&J, nutritional bars, trail mix, etc.) and a couple Gatorades that they can eat and drink to help fuel their body and help it recover during the long meet.

The meet should wrap up before 4:00. Thanks so much for all the work you guys put into this meet. All of the athletes and coaches appreciate this meet as one of the premier invitationals of their season and appreciate the work you put into it.

Exam Week

With exams this week, we are limited to two hours each day. You are still expected to be at ALL practices. We will have dryland on Monday ONLY. Practices will be done promptly at 5:30 for the swimmers. 

Boys, remember what we talked about Friday. Use your study time wisely. Put the phone in another room, stay off social media while studying. Take a short break every 40-45 minutes and get right back at it. Use your swim practice time to disconnect and give your brain a break.

Blog Check

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Other Events

• January 18 - Home Meet vs. Zeeland
• January 22 - Dryland and Breakfast @ HCMS followed by helping out at Benjamin's Hope to De-Christmas their outdoor decorations.