ELITE NEWS BULLETIN 03-23-09
DAZZLING!!!!
ELITE PLACES 4TH AT JO’S
WITH 1539 POINTS!!! C. BALBO WINS 10 & UNDER BOYS HIGH POINT;
KOLOGY 2ND (11-12 GIRLS)
SEBASTIAN 3RD (11-12 BOYS) 11-12 BOYS
SWEEP RELAYS! K. STEARNS WINS 2;
MARTIN (2), ROSS & STRAND POST
SECTIONAL CUTS!!
5 ELITE SWIMMERS (BALBO, GALEA, KOLOGY,
SEBASTIAN & K. STEARNS) WIN AUTOMATIC ZONE INVITATIONS!!!
Culminating 12 months of incredibly
hard work, the swimmers of the Elite Swim Club scored 1539 points this weekend
at New Jersey Swimming’s Junior Olympics to place 4th (out of 49
teams). Last year, Elite scored 949.5 points & placed 8th. Elite
placed behind Berkeley Aquatic Club, Cougar Aquatic Team and Scarlet Aquatic
Club.
As
a harbinger of accomplishments yet to come, Elite was lead by its strong and
extremely deep 12 & Under swimmers, who scored 1252 of Elite’s points. This
point total would have placed 7th on its own, was the highest 12
& Under point total of all teams competing and was 409 points more than
Berkeley, 595 more than Scarlet and 656 more points than Cougar!!!!
10
year old Chris Balbo won 4 individual events (200 free-2.13.19, 100
fly-1.10.27, 500 free-5.50.94 & 100 back-1.10.41), placed 2nd in
the 200 IM (2:30.73) and 3rd twice (100 IM-1.11.38 & the 50
back-33.97) to win the coveted 10 & Under Boys High Point Award.
Ironically, it is arguable that Balbo did not even compete in his 3 best events
(200 fly, 1000 free & 1650 free), as those events are not swum at the 10
& Under level.
12 year old Regan Kology was also awe inspiring,
placing 2nd in eight of her 9 events: 50 free (25.62), 100 free (55.67), 200 free (1.59.13), 500 free
(5.18.11), 1000 free (10.56.29), 1650 free (18.11.56), 200 IM (2.17.36) &
400 IM (4.50.07). Regan’s only non-2nd place finish was a 3rd
place finish (100 IM-1.04.54). Regan’s 9 personal best times placed her 2nd
overall in the Girls 11-12 High Point race.
12
year old Ryan Sebastian’s four 2nd place finishes (400 IM-4.38.90,
100 fly-59.71, 200 fly-2.16.19 & 200 back-2.11.70), three 3rd place
finishes (100 back-1.01.33, 200 IM-2.13.77 & 50 fly 27.12) and two 4th
place finishes (100 IM-1.02.71 & 50 back-28.52) had him also in the high
point hunt for the Boys 11-12 Age Group. Ryan dropped 11.25 seconds in the
grueling 400 IM (a 27 second drop from his personal best last year!).
In
perhaps the most exciting race of the entire meet, 10 year old Kaitlin Stearns,
with her long and graceful stroke, out touched two Berkeley competitors to win
the 500 free race (5.59.00). Only .34 separated the three girls!!! Kaitlin
followed that race up by also winning the 100 free event in a jaw dropping
1.00.95! Miss Stearns also placed 3rd twice: 50 free (27.93) and 200
free (2.13.50) and 4th in the 50 back (32.41). Kaitlin placed 5th
overall in the individual point race in her age group.
The
NJ Swimming 10 & Under Girls were actually double teamed by Elite, as 10
year old Andrea Galea was also omni-present among the leaders. Galea scored a 2nd
place finish in the 50 back (31.50), 3rd in the 100 back (1.08.68),
4th in the 200 IM (2.35.02), 5th in both the 50 free
(28.33) & 100 free (1.02.23), 6th in the 100 IM (1.11.21) and 7th
twice: 100 breast (1.21.63) and the 100 fly (1.13.74). Galea placed right
behind Stearns in the individual point total, 6th overall.
By
reason of their 1st or 2nd place finishes, Balbo, Galea, Kology,
Sebastian and Stearns will all be automatically picked to represent NJ Swimming
at the Eastern Zones Meet (verses other LSCs-NJ Swimming is an LSC) to be held
in Rochester NY.
The
11-12 Boys swept both relays contested. Winning the 200 Medley Relay by over 5 seconds were Ryan Sebastian (back), Zach Katz (breast), Matthew Hong (fly) and
Jeffrey Dong (free) in 1.53.74. The identical foursome also won the 200 free
relay in 1.43.74 (with Hong as anchor dropping 2 seconds off his best 50 free
time to hold off the fast closing competition!).
Although
most of the fireworks were displayed at the 12 & Under level, three Senior
swimmers added 5 Sectional qualifying times. 16 year old Ricky Martin added 3
(for a total of 7 qualifying times): the 200 free (1.46.09-which he placed 14th
overall), the 100 back (54.69-he placed 6th) and the 200 back
(1.58.60-placing 10th). Martin just missed a 4th cut in
the 200 IM; his 2.00.19 time was only .3 over the qualifying time.
In
her finale, 18 year old Brittany Ross dipped under the Sectional qualifying
time in the 200 fly with a 2.11.21 time, which placed her 16th.
Michael Strand, swimming a limited and an “off” event schedule, collected his 9th
Sectional qualifying time-this one in the 100 free (48.44). Michael was also
impressive in the 1650 free, where he became the 1st Elite swimmer
to swim the event under 17 minutes (16.58.71).
Shrugging
off the most grueling Elite event schedule was 14 year old Brendan
Miller-Radest, who competed in the 200 IM (twice-placing 16th with a
2.10.60 time), the 400 IM (twice-placing 12th with a 4.35.16 time), the
100 fly (twice-placing 12th with a 59.30 time), the 200 fly
(twice-placing 6th with a 2.08.59 time), the 500 free (twice-placing
7th with a 5.01.36 time), the 1000 free placing 5th with
a 10.20.17 time and the 1650 free placing 5th with a 17.14.88 time.
Miller-Radest placed 8th over all in the individual point total in
his age group.
12
year old Andrea Shepard, also exhibiting ironman (woman?) qualities. Shepard
placed 6th in both the 1000 free (11.37.28) & the 1650 free
(19.49.75), 8th in the 400 IM (5.05.24), 10th in the 100
free (58.82), 11th in the 200 free (2.06.38), 13th in the
500 free (5.41.69), 14th in the 200 IM (2.25.00) & 16th
in the 200 back (2.24.45).
The
Elite quartet of Stearns, Galea, Christina Pick and Emily Gorham placed 3rd
in the Girls 10 & Under Free Relay (1.57.93). The Medley Relay, consisting of Galea (back), Pick (breast), Amy
Duren (fly) and Stearns (free) also placed 3rd!
Consisting
of Balbo, Coyne, Critchley and Michael Tortorella, the Elite 10 & U Boys
also placed 3rd in the 200 Medley relay.
12
year old Zach Katz finished in the top 10 in 8 of his 9 events to place 10th
in the individual point race. Katz finished right behind Sebastian in the 200
fly (3rd-2.22.15), 4th in the 100 fly (1.04.24), 5th
in the 50 breast (31.51), 6th in both the 50 fly (28.43) and the 100
breast (1.10.93), 7th in the 200 IM (2.21.13), 9th in the
100 IM (1.04.31) and 10th in the 200 breast (2.40.07).
12 year old Matthew Hong was a top 16
finisher in 6 of his 9 events. Hong placed 8th in both 100 fly
(1.05.45) & 200 fly (2.32.22). Hong also placed 10th in the 50
fly (29.54), 13th in both the 200 IM (2.24.85) and the 50 back
(31.19) & 14th in the 200 free (2.06.69).
12 year old Jeffrey Dong placed in the top 16 in 6 of
his 9 events: 5th in the 200 breast (2.35.72), 6th in the
100 breast (1.10.93), 7th in the 50 breast (31.87), 11th in
the 50 free (25.97), 13th in the 50 fly (29.93) & 15th
in the 100 IM (1.06.13).
14 year old Michael Li finaled in three events: in the
100 breast, Michael posted a 6th place finish (1.04.50), in the 200
IM Michael was 8th (2.10.77) and in the 200 breast Michael was
2.20.85).
12 year old Kara Miller-Radest flew to a 9th
place finish in the 100 fly (1.05.06), a 12th place finish in the 50
fly (29.70), a 13th place finish in the 200 fly (2.32.96) and a 15th
place finish in the 1000 free (11.56.17).
16 year old Adam Weinbrom, earning his first finals at
JO’s, placed 8th in the 100 back (55.25 & only .16 over the
Sectional qualifying time) and, as a result of a slip on the start, a 16th
place finish in the 50 free (22.58).
10
year old Matthew Critchley placed 5th in both the 50 breast (38.62)
and the 50 fly (32.15) while also placing 7th in the 100 breast
(1.25.24).
10
year old Jimmy Coyne, rode that whip kick to a 10th place finish in
the 100 breast stroke (1.26.51) and a 12th place finish in the 50
breast (39.78).
10
year old Amy Duren erased 3 seconds in her 100 butterfly (1.17.33), which
resulted in a 16th place finish.
Priya
Duvvuri, fresh from Sectionals, placed 8th in the 100 back with 1.00.64
time.
12
year old Jess Gorham rocketed in the 50 back, placing 11th with a
31.33 time.
10
year old Christina Pick touched 13th in the 100 back and 15th
in the 50 back (35.37).
9 year old Michael Tortorella placed 15th
in the 100 breast (1.28.97).
Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite SCY
best times): Matt Ahlmeyer (2), Chris Balbo (8), Abbie Bigham (2), Emily
Buckman, Brannon Cho (3), Jimmy Coyne (2), Matt Critchley (7), Jeffrey Dong
(8), Alli Dorneo, Amy Duren (2), Priya Duvvuri (1), Venka Duvvuri, Cassandra
Farnow (3), Juliet Felsen (5), Spencer Fisch (1), Breana Fitzpatrick, Andrea
Galea (8), Emily Gorham (1), Jess Gorham (8), Andre Guacelli (2), Duncan Hall
(1), Matthew Hong (5), Patrick Hong (1), Andrew Huang (3), Zach Katz (7),
Gregory Keiser (1), Regan Kology (9), Aaron Levin, Michael Li (6), Ricky Martin
(11), Katie McGrath (5), Karl Melchior (2), Brendan Miller-Radest (13), Kara
Miller-Radest (8), Ali Morreale (1), Dan Muro (3), Caroline Nash (2), Christina
Pick (7), Gabrielle Pick (1), Chris Roser (1), Brittany Ross (4), Daniel Scherb
(1), Ryan Sebastian (9), Andrea Shepard (8), Kaitlin Stearns (8), Lindsay
Stearns (1), Michael Strand (6), Mike Tortorella (6), Caroline Watt (3), Adam
Weinbrom (4) & Ryan Wyer (1).
TRYOUTS TOMORROW:
Elite will hold its Spring 2009 Tryouts tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24) at 4:30 pm at Newark Academy. Swimmers who would like to participate in Elite this spring are requested to arrive at 4:15 pm.
Any existing Elite parent and Elite Swimmer who would like to help time or marshal the tryout swimmers are most welcome to come and help.
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 nominees should email Sandi
Niccolai at sandnic@aol.com.
SPRING/SUMMER TRAINING SCHEDULES NOW POSTED:
Elite’s
Spring and Summer 2009 Training Schedules are now posted on the team website.
Due to the change of practice locations, there are 3 separate practice
schedules: 1) April 6th thru May
25th 2) May 26 thru June
19 and 3) June 19 thru (approximately) July 30th.
Marlins
(both Black and Teal) will conclude their training with Elite on Friday, June
12th. Swimmers in these training groups are highly encouraged to
train with their summer league teams this summer. All Wavebuster and Senior
Training Groups will train thru approximately July 30th.
The
practice schedules can be viewed at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm
ELITE’S TOP 10 ALL TIME SCY LIST IS NOW UPDATED:
Elite’s top 10 all time times
list has been updated and posted on the team website. http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Top
Times/top_times_home_page.htm
COACH MICHELLE DUCHARME NAMED ZONE
COACH: WILL REPRESENT NJ SWIMMING IN ROCHESTER;
First year coach Michelle DuCharme has been named to the New Jersey Swimming Eastern Zone Coaching staff!! Zones will be held April 2nd thru April 4th in Rochester, New York.
280 HAVE RSVP’ED; LIST ON WEBSITE:
Preparations are underway for the biggest party of the season: Elite’s 14th 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
Dinner reservations is now closed.
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:
83 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.
74 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 2ND 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!!!