ELITE NEWS BULLETIN 3-03-08
ELITE (& MCSC) PARENTS PULL OFF AMAZING FEAT AT 13 & O
CHAMPS:
V. DUVVURI, FITZPATRICK, G. KEISER, WYER WIN SILVER EVENTS;
S. DUREN, ROSS WIN BRONZE EVENTS;
V. DUVVURI, FARNOW, FISCH, FITSPATRICK, JONES, G. KEISER, LAI, LI,
MARTIN, B. MILLER-RADEST, ROSS & WYER ADD 22 JO TIMES,
With all odds pointing to failure for the meet co-hosts: 1) hosting the largest meet of the season 2) never having hosted a two pool meet before 3) Elite hosting this championship meet just 6 days after hosting another championship meet 4) dealing with a snowstorm on the Friday before the meet (like last week) and 5) running a new meet format on its initial run, the Elite and Morris County Parents, with incredible help from NJ Swimming officials and BeSmartt, Inc pulled off one on the most impressive feats in NJ Swimming history: we crammed 8 hours of swimming under the tried and true traditional meet format into 4 hours of actual competition under a new format.
In the end, WE provided the optimum environment for swimmers to crack the Junior Olympic barrier. Today, Elite and MCSC parents and coaches should be proud of what we provided for 1600 NJ swimmers this past weekend. Within the last two weekends, Elite helped provide for 10,500 splashes/opportunities for 2000 different NJ swimmers to make JO’s in their last chance.
12 different Elite swimmers took advantage of that environment we provided and posted 22 additional JO cuts, bringing Elite’s total Junior Olympic totals to:: 43 swimmers and 258 swims. There is one Silver-Bronze Championship meet left to go this coming weekend, the 11-12’s. Last year’s totals were 32 swimmers and 178 events. The top results are as follows:
Within the Silver Division:
15 year old Venkatesh Duvvuri rocketed to a first place finish and a JO cut in the 15-19 100 yard back (57.34). Venk also went gold with his 5th place finish in the 100 fly (56.61) while placing 6th in both the 400 IM (4.38.35) and 200 back (2.07.93).
14 year old Ryan Wyer won and went gold in the 13-14 Boys 100 free with a fabulous swim (54.07).Wyer added two additional JO cuts to his resume, placing 4th in the 100 breast (1.12.22) and 5th in the 200 breast (2.35.35).
15 year old Breana Fitzpatrick continued her spectacular month as she won the 15-19 100 yard breast in a 1.10.68) time (this time represents the fastest 100 breast time in Elite history for 15-19 girls and is a 5 second drop from last year!). Breana also finished 8th in the 50 free (26.31).
14 year old Greg Keiser dominated the 13-14 400 yard IM, winning with an impressive 4.49.92 & JO time. Keiser also added to other JO swims with his 2nd place 200 butterfly (2.12.48) and his 8th place 100 back (1.04.58).
16 year old Cassandra Farnow had 5 (of 6) top 5 finishes for the weekend, placing 2nd & gold in the 100 yard back (1.03.44), 3rd (& gold) in both the 400 IM (4.50.32) and the 200 fly (2.23.67), 4th in the 200 IM (2.18.02) and 5th in the 200 breast (2.37.36).
17 year old Brittany Ross placed 2nd (& gold) in the 400 IM (4.48.97) and dropping 7 seconds in the process. Ross also placed 3rd in the 200 IM (2.17.89) and 5th in the 100 butterfly (1.03.07).
14 year old Spencer Fisch added 3 JO swims, bringing his total to 10. Fisch’s highest place was 2nd in the 100 Free (54.10), which was directly behind teammate Ryan Wyer. Fisch placed 8th in both the 50 free (25.17) and the 500 free (5.30.83).
In his only two events, 15 year old Ricky Martin posted gold times and 2nd place finishes in both the 200 yard fly (2.04.91) and the 200 free (1.49.65).
16 year old Amanda Grywalski was a triple medal winner, placing 5th in the 200 IM (2.19.05), 6th in the 200 breast (2.37.48) and 8th in the 400 IM (4.56.06).
Posting her 1st & 2nd JO times this season, 14 year old Emmie Lai placed 4th in the 200 yard butterfly (2.26.56) and 9th in the 100 fly (1.06.18).
14 year old Brent Jones cruised to a 2nd place a Junior Olympic time in the 100 yard breast (1.11.72). 13 year old Brendan Miller-Radest added his 6th JO time with his 14th place finish in the 200 free (2.02.24).
13 year old Michael Li churned to 5th place finish and a Junior Olympic time in the 200 yard back (2.25.62). Michael also placed 5th in the 200 butterfly (2.25.62).
14 year old Ali Morreale placed 2nd in the 50 free (26.82) and 6th in the 500 free (5.39.72).
16 year old Silas Newcomb placed 2nd in the 100 yard back (58.93) while 16 year old Tad Deatly stroked to a 2nd place finish in the 1650 yard free (18.22.70).
Within
the Bronze Division:
Showing dramatic improvement in her “off” stroke, Brittany Ross won both the 100 yard (58.20) and the 200 (2.07.80) 15-19 Girls freestyle events.
14 year old Sam Duren won the 200 IM event, with a 2.27.11 time (a 9 second drop!).
14 year old Sarah McGrath placed 2nd in the 200 IM (2.29.15) and 4th in the 200 free (2.14.13). Despite being sick, 16 year old Katie Ragan placed 2nd in the 1650 free (20.57.59).
Swimming the event for the 1st time ever, 15 year old Victoria Keiser placed 2nd in the 200 fly (2.46.50). Keiser also placed 8th in the 100 breast (1.20.52). 13 year old Krishna Duvvuri placed 4th in the 200 yard back (2.34.51) and 6th in the 200 yard IM.
Swimmers who participated in the 13 & Older Silver Bronze Championships were (# in parathesis is number of best Elite SCY best times): Matt Ahlmeyer (4), Lindsay Anderson (3), Arlynn Baer (6), Lindsay Behar (1), John Burns (5), Taylor Campolattaro (4), Victoria D’Altrui (1), Corey Deatly, Tad Deatly, Sam Duren (6), Krishna Duvvuri (5), Venkatesh Duvvuri (6), Cassandra Farnow (5), Spencer Fisch (6), Breana Fitzpatrick (3), Hannah Gleason (3), Katie Golway (3), Lydia Gracey (5), Amanda Grywalski (5), Julia Guacelli (3), Duncan Hall (2), Brent Jones (6), Eamonn Keenan (2), G. Keiser (5), Victoria Keiser (4), Kirsten Kellstrom (3), Emmie Lai (4), Michael Li (5), Jessie Lowe (1), Daniela Manzi (4), Marisa Manzi (4), Ricky Martin (2), Sarah McGrath (5), Brendan Miller-Radest (5), Ali Morreale (4), Dan Muro (4), Kendall Murray (1), Maggie Nelson (5), Silas Newcomb (4), Rebecca Niccolai (5), Sarah Peay (2), Katie Ragan (1), Collin Reilly (4), Brittany Ross (3), Katie Salsano (3), Amanda Scherb (2), Jonathan Scott (5), Jonas Singer (5), Jessica Solodkin (2), Erica Takahashi (6), Lexi Tedesco (4), Michael Wang (3) & Ryan Wyer (5).
FUTURE CHAMPIONS ROCK AT MINI-CHAMPS:
KESELMAN, FRIDAY & TORTORELLA LED WAY:
Also performing in their end of the season championships this weekend were Elite’s 8 & Unders Swimmers, who participated at New Jersey Swimming’s Mini-Championships held at Seton Hall University.
Leading the way for Elite were Rachel Keselman, Katherine Friday and Michael Tortorella.
8 year old Rachel Keselman scored the highest place of the day with her 5th place finish in the 50 yard breast (50.30). Rachel also placed 11th in the
25 breast (23.75) and 14th in the 50 back (46.45).
8 year old Katherine Friday splashed to a 7th place finish in the 50 yard butterfly (46.34). Katherine followed up with a 11th place finish in the 25 fly (21.34).
8 year old Michael Tortorella glided to an 8th place finish in the 50 yard breast (49.05). Mike also finished 11th in the 25 free (17.57) and 14th in the 50 free (37.46).
Swimmers who participated in the Mini-Championships were (# in parathesis is number of best Elite SCY best times): Megan Balbo (3), Eliose Burn (4), Andy Fresen (3), RJ Fresen (2), Katherine Friday (3), Rachel Keselman (2), Jessica Kraus (3), Brandon Li (2), Colin Miller-Radest (2), Katy Shepard (3), Michael Tortorella (3), Olivia Woodruff (2).
IN THEIR OTHER SWIMMING WORLD, THEY ARE FANTASTIC TOO:
DART GAPS A PIECE OF HISTORY (49.67!!! & 1.50.43!!!): STRAND 3RD,
MORRISON 4TH;
Elite Swimmers Chris Dart, Alex Morrison, Michael Strand and Priya Duvvuri competed this weekend at the New Jersey State High School Championship Meet, named the Meet of Champions held at Gloucester County Institute of Technology pool in south Jersey.
Chris Dart, accelerating his improvement, smashed three meet records in winning his two events: the 100 back and the 200 IM. Dart became the 1st NJ School boy to break the sacred 50 second barrier, doing it twice (1st in preliminaries at 49.90 and then in finals at 49.68) to crush the old record held by Michael Gross of 51.07. Dart also won the 200 IM in a meet record of 1.50.43, breaking a 19 year old record held by Kent Trschannen (previously 1.51.17).
Also competing were 1) Alex Morrison, who posted a career best 51.88 time in his 100 yard butterfly in placing 4th in the event 2) Michael Strand who posted a career best 52.85 in the 100 yard back (same race as Dart) to place 3rd (yes, Elite went 1-3 in the 100 back!!!) and 3) Priya Duvvuri, who posted a 1.01.97 in her 100 butterfly.
FACILITY CONCERNS PROMPTS CHANGE IN SESSIONS FOR 11-12
SILVER/BRONZE:
Meet Facility Host Bergen Community College has requested a change in the meet format this coming Saturday. All swimmers and parents should check their session times.
BCC holds classes on Saturday am, and the meet capacity during the Girls Session is expected to be double that of the Boys Session. Thus, the sessions have been flip-flopped to help keep the noise level down during class time.
Preparations are underway for the biggest party of the season: Elite’s 13th annual Winter Swim Team Banquet!!! This year’s party will be held Sunday, April 6, 2008 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 6 Elite banquets have had an excess of 350 people each!!!
To reserve your dinner reservations, please print out an reservation form from the website, fill it in and mail the form with the appropriate check amount to Bill Deatly, 32 Prospect Street, Summit, New Jersey 07901.
Parents, Bill will do his best to honor your seating arrangement requests. Swimmers will be seated by Bill!!
Reservation forms must be in by Saturday, March 8, 2008
SPRING
SESSION 2008 TO START:
The Age Group Program (the Wavebusters and the Marlins) will start on Monday, April 7 (the day after the banquet). The Spring Session practice schedule, until Friday, June 6th will be identical to the Winter 2007-08 schedule.
The Senior Program will have two different start dates: 1) for those swimmers who participate only in the 13 & Older Silver-Bronze Championships, the 1st practice will be Monday, March 24 and 2) for those swimmers who participate in the Junior Olympics, practice will start Monday, March 31.
TRYOUT INFORMATION
NOW POSTED:
Information regarding Elite’s tryouts and Spring Practice Schedule is now posted on the website. The practice schedule is identical to the Winter 2007-08 until long course begins. Long course schedules are still being worked on.
NOMINATIONS
WANTED FOR ESCPO:
Nominations for positions are wanted and needed for the Elite Swim Club Parents Organization. Parents who are interested or who have nominess should email Moya Chew-Lai at moya.chew-lai@prudential.com.
REMINDER:
SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS WILL BE HIGHLIGHT OF AWARDS BANQUET:
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 (Sunday, April 6, 2008) 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.
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.
HOW THE END OF THE SEASON “WORKS” AT ELITE:
With the Winter 2007-08 Session rapidly approaching its conclusion, the following is an explanation of how the “End of the Season” concludes at Elite.
Each Elite swimmer will be entered into at least one “End of the Season Championship Meet.” A swimmer will be entered into ALL championship meets they qualify for. If a swimmer qualifies for 2 different levels of championship meets based upon their times, they will be entered in each meet. These meets, as described below, are:
1) 8 & Under Mini-Championships
2) 9-10 Silver/Bronze Championships
3) 11-12 Silver/Bronze Championship
4) 13 & Older Silver/Bronze Championships &
5) the Junior Olympics.
For all swimmers ages 8 & under, the final meet of the season is the Mini-Championships held Saturday, March 1, to be held at Seton Hall University. At the conclusion of this meet, all swimmers ages 8 & Under are finished (including practice) for the season (with the exception of an 8 & Under who makes a Junior Olympic Qualifying Time).
For all swimmers ages 9 & 10, the final meet of the season is the South 9-10 Silver/Bronze Championships, held Saturday, February 23 & Sunday, February 24 to hosted by Elite and held at Newark Academy. At the conclusion of this meet, all swimmers ages 9 & 10 are finished (including practice) for the season. The only exceptions are those swimmers who have qualified for Junior Olympics held Friday, March 14 thru Sunday, March 16.
All swimmers 11 & older will participate in one or more of the following meets: the 11-12 Silver/Bronze Chamionships Saturday, March 8 & Saturday, March 9 (to be held at Bergen County College Pool), the 13 & Older Silver/Bronze Championships Saturday, March 1 & Sunday, March 2 (to be held at Rutgers University & hosted by Elite) and/or the Junior Olympics, held March 14 thru March 16.
Swimmers
who qualify for the Junior Olympics via their performances at the Silver/Bronze
Meets will be entered by Elite into JO’s and all swimmers will keep training
and performing until they have concluded their championship performances. Once
a swimmer has concluded their championship performances, their practice season
has concluded. Only swimmers who still have championship swims are invited to
practice.
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 2007. When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer 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, there is a list of swim camps. Many of these
swim camps close out in late February and early March!!!
Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!
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 two major photography projects: 1) the memory book and 2) the slide show at the Elite Awards Dinner.
Courtesy of the Elite Swim Club’s Parents Organization, at the end of this season each swimmer will receive a memory book with dozens of pictures of Elite swimmers. Last year’s (1st year) book was an instant hit and this year’s is expected to be treasured by swimmers for years to come.
In addition, there is a slide show presentation at each year’s Awards Banquet. 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!!!
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!!! If you do not see what you need, email Bill at eliteswimclubnj@comcast.net