Week 12 - That Championship Feeling

Born For This

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths ~ Proverbs 5:21 

We are entering the part of the year that we work the entire season toward. Some look at it as a welcomed end to the daily torture. Some view it with the anticipation of fast races and amazing time drops that they have experienced in previous championships. I tend to have a bitter sweet view of this time of the year. I look forward to more time to do my full time job and time with Ellen and my grandkids but I also love this time with the athletes I love and watching them perform at their peak.  No matter how you are approaching the next two to four weeks, we all need to know that the end is near and we need to make the most of the time we have left together this season. 

We also want to make sure that we take time to celebrate and honor our seniors. These guys have built on the legacy of this program for four years. I appreciate the work ethic and leadership they have brought to this team. Tuesday we have an opportunity to say thank you to them for what they've meant to the team and wish them well as they make plans for their future.

The Upcoming Week

Practice Location & Times For This Week 

Practice for Swimmers Monday      Pool: 5:30am - 7:30am     ETS: 3:00 - 3:45pm Wednesday     Pool: 3:20 - 5:30 Thursday      LAST ETS: 3:00 - 3:45     Pool: 4:00 - 5:30 Friday (Winter Break Day)     Pool: 6:00am - 7:30am Saturday       At HAC: 8:00-10:00 followed by Breakfast Monday (Winter Break Day)     Pool: 8:00am - 10:00am

Practice for Divers Monday, Wednesday & Friday (Includes Weight Room) 4:45 - 7:15 Thursday  4:00 - 6:00 Saturday     TBA

Meets this week

       Meets

       Tuesday, Feb. 13 - Home vs. Holland (Senior Night)

                Warm up at 5:30

                The meet starts at 6:30

    Cake for everyone in the upstairs in the conference room after the meet.

A Look Ahead 

    Pasta Night & Conference Meet - See information Below

    Second Chance Meet - Tuesday, February 27 at 6:30

    This meet will be hosted at the Holland Aquatic Center by Holland High School. 

• Final Meet for those not making State cuts. 
• This is a great opportunity for athletes to swim events that they didn't get a chance to swim at the Conference meet. 

Upcoming Special Practice Times

Due to GLIAC Championship at the Aquatic Center on February 9, 10, 11, and 12 as well as Holland Christian's winter break on the weekend of February 16 (I still have Professional Development at school) and February 19, we have a few special practice times on those weekends.

    GLIAC Championship Weekend      

        Monday, Feb. 12 - Swimmers 5:30 am to 7:30 am / Divers TBA

    Winter Break Weekend

          Friday, Feb 16 - Swimmers 6:00 am - 7:30 am / Divers Normal 4:45 - 7:15pm

          Monday, Feb 19 - Swimmers 8:00 am - 10:00 am / Divers Normal 4:45 - 7:15pm

FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD

Ready for Taper? 
During the next three weeks swimmers (Those not qualified for state) begin the taper portion of the season. Taper is that time of the year when workouts change. Yardage decreases while intensity and speed increase with the intent of preparing and "resting" the body for the championship portion of the season. If you want a little more detail about taper, here is a nice little article that explains it well. 

Swimmers who choose to should have tights to wear at practice beginning Wednesday the 14th. I suggest tights that are nylon and footless (hemmed at the ankle), NOT leggings like you might for outdoor running and NOT heavy "winter" tights. Tights are used to enhance drag during taper but heavy winter tights provide too much drag. The footless tights don't unravel during the two weeks or so of swimming with them on. 

Pasta Night

To give our athletes the fuel they need for our conference prelims, we will have a pasta meal after our practice on February 22. Details will be coming soon. Parents should watch for an email looking for meal help and donations.

Conference Meet
AT Zeeland West HS February 23 and 24.
Below is a tentative schedule for that meet. I will update this as I get more information including school dismissal schedule, etc..

PRELIMS - Friday, February 23
- Swimming Preliminaries begin 2:00 p.m.
- Diving Preliminaries & Semi-Finals 6:00 p.m.

FINALS - Saturday, February 24
- Finals Begin (Swimming & Diving) 12:00 p.m.

State Meet
AT Holland Aquatic Center

PRELIMS - Friday, March 8
- Swimming Preliminaries begin 12:00 p.m.
- Diving Preliminaries & Semi-Finals - Following swimming prelims

FINALS - Saturday, March 9
- Finals Begin (Swimming & Diving) 12:00 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE End of the season banquet will be held at the HS Cafeteria on Monday, March 11 at 6:30. More info will come in the next couple weeks.