State Meet Week - Let's Do This

Born For This

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

Our final week. Our final four practices. Then we do what we've been gearing up for all season. It's a big meet! It's the last meet! Go into it with optimism that hard work pays dividends and the resolve to finish well.

Each season I see talented young men take the gifts that God has given them and push them to the limit. I think this is exactly what God wants from each of us. He asks us to take what he has given us and use those gifts, whatever they might be, to their fullest extent. To give anything less would be throwing those gifts in the face of the giver. What you do this weekend, and what the state group and the rest of the team have done all season long is your gift back to God. Remember, that it's not what you do in the water, or on the board or your "success" in any other area where you use the gifts that God has given you that defines you. You are defined by the giver and creator of those gifts.  

The Upcoming Week

Practice Location & Times For This Week 

Practice for Swimmers Monday     Pool: 3:20 - 5:00     Need to leave early for an HAC professional development Tuesday     Pool: 3:20 - 5:30     Wednesday     Pool: 3:20 - 5:30 Thursday         Pool: 3:20 - 4:30 Followed by Pasta Meal

Practice for Divers Monday     3:15 - 5:00 50 Meter Tuesday     4:15 - 6:15 50 Meter Wednesday With Coach Riemersma     4:00 - 6:00  50 Meter Thursday With Coach Riemersma     4:00 - 5:00ish Followed by Pasta Meal

What's Happening this week 

Pre Meet Details

CLASSES - The athletes will be missing 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. Including going to bed earlier than normal.
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 Rose Park once we get there, so you need to make sure to bring your shaving supplies with you to practice on Thursday.
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 water or other drinks so that you can stay fueled-up and hydrated throughout each session.
We will have a cooler in the van and you will need to grab some stuff from there and 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.

THURSDAY

• 3:30 - 4:30ish  Practice

• Pasta dinner at HAC

• Shave down at Rose Park

• Movie maybe?

FRIDAY

• Tickets are on sale online at Go Fan (Make sure to click Division 3 Friday Tickets)
• Seating is limited so get there early. 
• 12:00 - Swimming prelims begin. 
• 3:00ish Prelims end. 
• 3:30ish  Diving prelims and semi finals begin.

SATURDAY

• Tickets are on sale online at Go Fan (Make sure to click Division 3 Saturday Tickets)
• Seating is limited so get there early. 
• 12:00 - Swimming and Diving Finals begin 
• Diving 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.

TEAM BANQUET  - End of the season banquet will be held at the HS Cafeteria on Monday, March 11 at 6:30.

PARKA TURN IN  - I will be in the HS "Upper Room" (between the gym and the weight room) from 7:20am - 7:45am on TUESDAY, MARCH 12 to collect Parkas. If you can, please wash and dry your parkas before turning them in.