ELITE NEWS BULLETIN 03-02-09

9-10’s EFFORTS SEND JO TOTAL OVER 300!!!

A. DUREN (2), HUANG (1), M. TORTORELLA (5) WIN SILVER EVENTS:

BUTLER, COYNE, FRIDAY (4) WIN BRONZE EVENTS;

BIGHAM (2), CRITCHLEY, A. DUREN, E. GORHAM, P. HONG (2), HUANG, STEARNS & TORTORELLA (4) ADD 13 JO QUALIFYING TIMES:

Phenomenal performances by the Elite 9-10 Silver Bronze Swimmers pushed the team totals over the 300 Junior Olympic qualifying event mark for the 1^st time in team history as the team completed in the 2^nd of 7 meets that define the 2008-09 Championship Season. Team JO qualifying numbers are now 46 swimmers qualified in 309 events!!!!

The Elite swimmers were the polar opposites of their parents this weekend. While the Elite parents (as described in the next article) were the most gracious of hosts, providing 450 swimmers the opportunity to compete in the important end of the season championships, the Elite swimmers only grudgingly allowed swimmers from other teams to participate in the glory of this meet. Led by 9 year old Michael Tortorella, Elite added 13 Junior Olympic times and won 8 (or 9-explained later) and of the 52 Silver Meet Events. On the Bronze level, Elite won an additional 6 events!!!

In understanding the divisions and awards, please remember that there were really two meets being held this weekend simultaneously: a Silver level meet and a Bronze level meet. In addition, each age group was broken up into the specific ages 9 and 10. Thus, the swimmers were divided by sex, specific age and by Silver and Bronze entry times. Winners in each level were determined by their entry time. To prevent an unprincipled coach from entering a high level swimmer with a bronze entry time, swimmers with Bronze entry times are ineligible to win events and receive medals for performing “gold” level performances (but the time is legal and can be used to enter Junior Olympics).

Simply put, 9 year old Michael Tortorella was absolutely on fire this weekend. In 6 performances, Michael won 5 events (and entered with a Bronze level time in the 200 IM, went gold-on head to the issue just discussed). In his efforts, Michael qualified for JO’s in 4 events (bringing his total up to 6!) by winning the 200 free (2.37.11), the 50 free (32.07) and 100 free (1.12.06). It was Michael’s bronze level entry time in the 200 IM (when he swam a 3.02.17 time) that prevented him from winning the 6^th event-but it did not prevent him from qualifying for his 4^th JO event. Michael also won the 100 IM (1.24.78) and the 500 free (7.17.80) in silver times.

10 year old Amy Duren won two events, touching first overall and in a JO time in the 100 free (1.12.22). Amy now has 4 JO swims. Amy followed up by winning the Bronze level 500 free in dropping 53 seconds while posting a 7.11.30 time and placing 4^th in the 200 free (2.44.86).

In his last event of the meet, 9 year old Andrew Huang won the 200 IM (3.01.40) in JO fashion!! Andrew also placed 2^nd in the 100 butterfly (1.30.24), 3^rd in both the 50 fly (38.94) and the 100 IM (1.27.86) and 4^th in the 100 free (1.16.56).

10 year old Abigail Bigham added a pair of Junior Olympic swims to her roster (now has 3) in placing 2^nd in the 200 IM (2.58.56). Like Tortorella, Abigail also went “gold” from a Bronze entry time in the 500 free (7.05.94) which prevented her from placing in the event. Abby also placed 3^rd in the 100 free (1.13.09) and 4^th in the 100 back (1.24.52)!

10 year old Patrick Hong placed 2^nd in two events: the 100 IM (1.22.11) and the 200 free (2.38.28)-both events were new gold performances. Patrick now has 5 JO swims. Patrick also placed 4^th in the 100 back (1.26.00), 5^th in the 50 back (39.51) and 7^th in the 50 breast (45.84).

Also unable to place by reason of a Bronze qualifying time but going Gold anyway was 10 year old Matthew Critchley. Matt’s 65 second improvement in the 500 free (7.04.00) completed Matthew’s sweep of JO events: he has now qualified for every event offered for 10 & Unders. Matthew joins Elite swimmers Chris Balbo, Christina Pick, Andrea Galea and Kaitlin Stearns (see next paragraph) as 10 & Under Elite swimmer “fully vested” at JO’s.

Also 1 JO event short of a clean sweep of events prior to the meet, 10 year old Kaitlin Stearns snagged her last JO event by placing 3^rd in the 50 breast (42.34).

10 year old Emily Gorham’s 4^th place finish in the 50 butterfly (36.46) was her 2^nd JO qualifying time for this year. Emily also placed 4th in the 50 back (39.02) and the 200 free (2.47.84).

In the Bronze division, 9 year old Katherine Friday won 4 separate events-all in Silver times: the 50 back (41.20), the 100 fly (1.34.22), the 50 breast (48.02) and the 200 free (2.48.01). In her two other events, Katherine placed 2^nd: the 50 fly (39.35) and the 50 free (33.46)-also both in Silver times! All 6 of Katherine’s swims were personal bests!!

10 year old Meggie Butler won the 50 fly race in a 39.31 time. Meggie also placed 7^th in the Silver division in the 200 free (2.49.37).

10 year old Jimmy Coyne placed first in the 200 free with a 20 second drop (2.51.33). Jimmy also placed 6^th in the Silver Division of the 100 back (1.26.64). All 6 of Jimmy’s swims were personal bests!!

9 year old Brandon Li placed 2^nd in the 50 breast (48.22) and 2^nd in the Silver division of the 200 IM (3.16.54).

Other notable performances were:

1) 10 year old Emily Buckman placed 5^th in the100 breast (1.35.89) and the 200 IM (3.02.13)-both Silver Divisions

2) 10 year old Emily Goad placed 6^th in both the 100 fly (1.34.60) and the 100 back (1.25.75), 7^th in the 50 fly (37.57) and 8^th in the 100 IM (1.25.13)-Silver Divisions

3) 10 year old Sarah Lowe placed 7^th in the 100 free (1.14.56)-Silver Division

4) 9 year old Katie Iovel placed 2^nd in the 100 back (1.32.17) and 4^th in the 50 back (42.58)-Bronze Divisions

5) 10 year old Ethan Blum placed 4^th in the 100 breast (1.57.37)-Bronze Division

6) 9 year old Rachel Keselman placed 4^th in the 200 IM (3.38.93)-Bronze Division

7) 10 year old Tabatha Georget placed 6^th in the 50 breast (49.66) and 8^th in the 50 fly (45.31)-Bronze Division

8) 10 year old Stephanie Roser placed 7^th in the 50 free (47.13)-Bronze Division

9) 10 year old Abigail Shvorin placed 8^th in the 50 breast (49.73)-Bronze Division

Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite SCY best times): Abbie Bigham (4), Ethan Blum (2), Annie Botte (3), Emily Buckman (4), Eloise Burn (5), Meggie Butler (4), Richie Carchia (4), Jimmy Coyne (6), Matt Critchley (1), Ryan Dorneo (4), Amy Duren (2), Erika Fresen (4), Katherine Friday (6), Clio Galea (4), Tabatha Georget (3), Patrick Gilfillan (3), Emily Goad (4), Alexandra Gordon (3), Emily Gorham (5), Patrick Hong (4), Rachel Hong (4), Andrew Huang (4), Jack Hughes (4), Katie Iovel (6), Alex Jacobs (2), Sarah Jacobs (5), Rachel Keselman, Jessica Kraus (4), Brandon Li (3), Sarah Lowe (1), Natalie Pruitt (4), Stephanie Roser (4), Katy Shepard (1), Abigail Shvorin (2), Kaitlin Stearns (1), Michael Tortorella (6), Katie Tselpis (2).

PARENTS STELLAR EFFORTS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 450 SWIMMERS!!!

Once again, the Elite parents performed at a level approaching their swimmers in hosting the 9-10 Silver Bronze Championship South Meet. The meet, which is the last chance for swimmers 9 and 10 to qualify for the prestigious Junior Olympic Meet, provided 450 New Jersey swimmers with 2500 splash opportunities.

Coordinating the meet was Carolyn Balbo, whose management skills and attention to details made running the meet a fabulous success.

The Elite Coaches would like to thank all the parents and Elite swimmers who helped out and volunteered their time!!!

NEW MATH: 3=9;

ELITE WILL SEND 6 RELAYS TO SECTIONALS;

With last week’s Sectional level performance by 15 year old Priya Duvvuri, the Elite Swim Club will be sending a total of 9 swimmers to the prestigious Sectional meet to be held March 12 thru March 15 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Due to the meet requirement that each qualifying relay needs at least 1 individual qualifier as a relay member, Elite has qualified 6 relays in addition to the individual qualifications by Michael Strand, Ricky Martin and Duvvuri. Since the boys have 4 relays and the girls have 2 relays under the qualifying times, Elite will compete on a larger scale than previously thought!!

Attending Sectionals as relay only swimmers will be: Breana Fitzpatrick, Regan Kology, Michael Li, Brittany Ross, Adam Weinbrom & Ryan Wyer. Each relay only swimmer will be able to participate in two time trials events following the morning sessions. Times achieved at these time trials will be legitimate times that can be used for proof of times in USA Swimming Meets (including this summer sectionals).

Due to the weekend conflict of 13-19 Silver Bronze Champsionships that Elite is co-hosting, Bill will not be attending Sectionals this year. Coaches Michael Turkot and Patty Martin will supervise the Elite swimmers in Boston.

SPRING TEAM “SWELLS” TO 156; TRYOUTS WILL FILL AVAILABLE SPOTS:

Pre-tryouts, the team roster stands at 156 swimmers returning to train with Elite this spring/summer. This number is approximately 88% of the team that trained with Elite this winter.

The list of swimmers who have acknowledged they are returning is posted at the following link: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Tryouts 2/Swimmers Registered for Spring 2009.htm. If you are not listed on this list, your roster spot has been relinquished.

Please note that Elite is already receiving inquiries from swimmers outside the club regarding Elite’s Spring/Summer program. And note that since Elite limits the size of each training group to insure the best possible environment for improvement by each of its swimmer, a roster spot on Elite is becoming a valuable commodity.

Seniors in high school are welcome to continue to train with Elite thru the summer. Each senior should see Bill or Ashley regarding their plans.

ZONE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE; THOSE WITH REASONABLE CHANCE ASKED TO PRE-REGISTER;

New Jersey Swimming has made available the Spring 2009 SCY Zone Application for this April’s 2009 Eastern Zone Course Age Group Championships to be held April 2^nd thru April 4^th in Rochester, NY. “Zone” teams in the spring are LSC All-Star Teams (NJ Swimming is an LSC) comprising the fastest 2 swimmers in each event (whom apply).

To reduce the crunch of processing all the applications after Junior Olympics (with a deadline looming), NJ Swimming is asking those swimmers who have a reasonable chance of making Zones to apply early so that data on these swimmers can be processed ahead of JO’s. If your swimmer has a reasonable shot at qualifying for the Zone squad, it is requested of you to send the application into NJ Swimming at this time (use best times from meets not listed on the application form; one can update their information at JO’s).

For you convenience, attached is the Zone Application.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: GET YOUR PICTURES OF ELITE SWIMMERS TO BILL:

As the season heads to it’s conclusion, all amateur photographers who have been busy taking candid shots of our Elite stars need to get your pictures to Bill on a compact disk so that Elite can coordinate the slide show at the Elite Awards Dinner.

At the Awards Dinner, there is a slide show presentation. This year is no different as hundreds of slides will be reviewed for a place in the show.

Please place your pictures on a CD and place them in Bill’s mailbox at Newark Academy!!!

NO LZRs FOR 12 & UNDERS; MAY BE A WORLD TREND: DOUBLE SUITING ALSO EXPECTED TO BE ELIMINATED:

FASTSKINS ARE OK FOR ELITE SWIMMERS AT SILVER/BRONZE & JUNIOR OLYMPICS:

A reminder: at the USA 29^th annual USAS (United States Aquatics) Convention held September 2008, USA Swimming voted to restrict the use of “high tech” swim suits (LZRs, Blue Sevens, etc) for those swimmers participating in 12 & Under Age Group competition. The idea is to keep the playing field level for 12 & Unders during their formative years of competition. Although the restriction has significant cost issues tied to it, the rule actually reads: “Swimsuits worn for all 12 & Under age group defined competition shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder nor past the knee.” Swimmers who are 12 or younger who are participating in “open” events will be allowed to wear suits that cover more area than allowed by this rule. Although this rule does not commence until May 15, 2009, Elite will follow the spirit of the rule immediately (including March 2009 championships). No Speedo LZRs for Elite Swimmers 12 & Under!!!

Interestingly, USA Swimming has presented the identical wording of this new restriction to FINA, which is the governance body for international swimming, for consideration with the 12 & Under restriction language removed. If adopted, all international competition will restrict these technologically advanced suits as currently constructed from use in competition. If adopted by FINA, it is expected that USA Swimming will follow suit and restrict these suits from being worn at all USA Swimming competitions.

USA Swimming is exploring “exemption language” based upon religious or medical needs. However, the “more coverage” suit to be worn will not be of the technologically advanced nature under these circumstances.

Also under consideration by FINA is a restriction of the “double or triple” suiting which was present at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Many swimmers, particularly females, wore 2 or even 3 technologically advanced suits during competition in an attempt to reduce drag and/or help with buoyancy. This practice is also expected to be outlawed at the international level. If so, USA Swimmers can expect USA Swimming to follow suit and outlaw the practice.

Speedo Fastskins are acceptable suits for Elite Swimmers to wear. Elite Swimmers are allowed to wear fastskins at Silver/Bronze Championships and at Junior Olympics. If a swimmer is close to a Sectional level qualifying time in an event, they may be allowed to wear fastskins prior to end of the season Championship Meets.

TEAM BANQUET RESERVATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 12^ST:

68 HAVE RSVP’ED; LIST ON WEBSITE:

Preparations are underway for the biggest party of the season: Elite’s 14^th annual Winter Swim Team Banquet!!! This year’s party will be held Saturday, March 28, 200 from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This year, Elite will again be at the Hanover Marriott, located at 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, New Jersey. This facility can accommodate up to 700 people!!! The last 7 Elite banquets have had an excess of 300 people each!!! 30 have already RSVP’ed. The RSVP list is on the website: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Awards Dinner/RSVP%27S FOR - AWARDS BANQUET 2009.htm

To reserve your dinner reservations, please print out an reservation form from the website (under Awards Dinner), fill it out and mail the form with the appropriate check amount to Bill Deatly, 32 Prospect Street, Summit, New Jersey 07901. Cost per person is $55. All 12 & Under Swimmers must have at least 1 adult accompanying them.

Parents, Bill will do his best to honor your seating arrangement requests. Swimmers will be seated by Bill!!

Reservation forms must be in by Thursday, March 12, 2009.

END OF SEASON ALTERED TO ACCOMMODATE MEETS, SPRING SESSION:

EVERYONE TRAINS TIL FRIDAY, MARCH 13:

As all Elite swimmers and parents know, Elite has developed significantly over the past 4 years. Thru a combination of need changes and changes in the end of the season meet championship schedule, Elite will significantly alter from past years “end of the season” training plan to accommodate the swimmers most pressing need: to continue to develop.

This year, all Elite swimmers (regardless of age or ability) will be invited to continue to train thru Friday, March 13, regardless of their status viz a viz championship meets. This means that all 8 & Unders, all 9 & 10’s and all 11 & 12 will continue training AFTER their Mini Championship meet or AFTER their Silver/Bronze Meets up to Friday, March 13. Junior Olympic and Zone swimmers will continue to train thru the conclusion of their championship meet.

All swimmers (with the possible exception of Zone swimmers), will begin their Spring Season together on Monday, April 6.

Changing the schedule this way allows for non-JO level swimmers (and parents) 3 weeks off between seasons (much needed mental and physical rest) and Junior Olympic swimmers 2 full weeks off between sessions.

The result of this decision to “de-couple” the end of the season training with their championship meets allows Elite swimmers to attend Championship Meets without having to worry about how long a swimmer is out of the pool (too long hurts their development). Please note that the training within each training group will be altered during this time frame, with the post championship swimmers grouped together in practice to work on conditioning while the pre-championship swimmers will focus on stroke details, racing and resting for their upcoming championship meet.

Thus, Elite will elect to attend the Mini-Championships on Sunday, February 15, along with the 9-10, 11-12 & 13 & Older Silver Bronze Championships. Elite will also plan to host a “Last Chance” Meet on Saturday, February 14, time to be determined.

One additional change, with the date change of the Senior State Championship Meet to Friday, February 20 thru Sunday, February 22, this meet will now become (another Elite 1^st) an “optional” for Elite swimmers 15 & Older who have high school meet conflicts. Optional is defined as: if there is a significant reason not to have a swimmer swim in the meet (such as 1) a conflict with a high school championship meet or 2) too many meets in successive weekends to insure great end of season performances, a swimmer with coach guidance can opt out of competing at Senior States.

PARENTS GEARING UP 13 & OLDER CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Parents of all 13 & Older swimmers are being contacted regarding Elite’s co-hosting of the 13 & Older Silver Bronze Championships at Rutgers University.

All parents of swimmer 13 years of age and older are expected to work this meet. Debbie Scherb, has begun contacting parents shortly to begin the organization process of running the meet, manning the various jobs, etc. Please respond to her as soon as you are able to help make her job easier.

THINKING SUMMER? THINK SUMMER SWIM CAMPS!:

Although the hot sun and humid weather seems millions of years away, summer is only 6 months away and top-notch swim camps are already taking registrations for the summer of 2009.

When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer (Wave Black level, Wave Teal level, Marlin Black level or Marlin Teal level). Wave Golds and Seniors should remain training with Elite thru the summer months) to one of the numerous swim camps.

Each summer, numerous Elite swimmers spend a rewarding week (or two) at a summer swim camp. The benefits of such a camp are: 1) individual attention by reknown swim coaches 2) an increased knowledge of the sport of swimming and 3) personal growth that occurs as a result of “being on one’s own.” The formula that seems to work best is finding an Elite friend to spend the week with at the swim camp.

If you are considering sending your swimmer to a swim camp, now is the time to do the research and make decisions (many of these camps are sold out by mid-Spring). On the website, under Swim Camps at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Swim Camps/index.html is information regarding Summer Swim Camps. Many of these swim camps close out in late February and early March!!!

Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!

REMINDER: SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS WILL BE HIGHLIGHT OF AWARDS BANQUET:

30 HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR AWARD; LIST ON WEBSITE;

With the conclusion of the 2nd marking periods, swimmers are reminded that the ultimate award an Elite swimmer can earn at the season ending Awards Banquet (Saturday, March 28, 2009) will once again be the Elite Scholar-Athlete Awards. Great grades, in addition to great swim times, are required for a swimmer to earn one of these awards.

These awards will be broken down into three levels:

1) All-American Scholar Athlete Award: Swimmer must have a 3.5 grade average and at least 1 Sectional Qualifying time. This award is actually a USA Swimming Award and will be presented by New Jersey Swimming. Elite will also provide a certificate to those swimmers who have qualified for this award.

2) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Gold Award: A swimmer must have all A’s and no more than 1 B (or the equivalent of all A’s and 1 B) plus at least 1 individual Junior Olympic Qualify Time

3) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Teal Award: Swimmer must have all A’s and B’s (of the equivalent) plus at least 1 individual Silver Qualifying Time

In addition to each swimmer receiving an impressive certificate from Elite acknowledging this achievement, from this season forward Elite will post the names of its scholar athletes on its website-forever acknowledging its most special scholar-athletes.

Parents of grammar school students should remember that Bill will review the grading legend (assuming A’s and B’s are not given) to ascertain if the swimmer has fulfilled the academic requirements to receive the award.

11 Elite Swimmers have already applied for the award. The list is now posted on the website: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Awards Dinner/List of Scholar Athlete Award Applicants 2009.htm

Bill is now accepting the scholastic information. If your swimmer made a JO or Silver qualifying time last summer or this winter and then aged up, an applicant must fill out the application form on the team website that will point Bill to the swim in question. All scholastic information needs to be to Bill by Tuesday, March 18. IF A SWIMMER’S 2^ND MARKING PERIOD ENDS AFTER MARCH 18, PLEASE PROVIDE BILL WITH THE MOST RECENT REPORT CARD AVAILABLE.

WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK THE WEBSITE:

If you have questions about Elite, your first source of information is Elite’s website located at eliteswimclub.org. When in doubt, first check the website!!!