ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               04-03-06

 

SPRING & SPRING/SUMMER SESSIONS BEGIN TODAY!!!!;

 

            Today, Elite will begin this year’s one year training cycle in its preparation for its February/March 2007 Championship Meets.

 

            For the Marlin Teals, Marlin Blacks and Wavebuster Teals, the Spring Session will last until Friday, June 9th. This summer, these swimmers are highly encouraged to swim this summer with their summer swim clubs.

 

            For the Wave Blacks, Wave Golds, Senior Preps and Seniors, the Spring/Summer Session will continue until August 6th (last day of Junior Olympics). The training season will be extended if swimmers reach Junior Nationals, Eastern Zones or Nationals!!

 

In a general sense, each training group can expect significant work on stroke mechanics this spring. As the session nears its conclusion, emphasize will move towards more conditioning work which, coupled with improved technique, will give our swimmers the tools for successful summer competitions.

 

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

            There is a distinct shortage of parking spaces at Newark Academy, especially on weekdays between 5:15 pm and 6:30 pm. Parents are welcome to “drop off” or “pick-up” their swimmers by the field house entrance during this time period if the driver remains in the car. If a parent is coming into the building, they are requested to park in the “upper” lot and walk thru the school to reach the pool.

 

            Please remember to drive slowly thru the parking lots and do not park in the fire lanes, as the Livingston Police will ticket improperly parked cars.

             

2 NEW FACES ON COACHING STAFF: COACH PETE LOFTUS LEAVES ELITE:

 

            Starting today, two new coaches will be joining the Elite Coaching Staff: Matt King and Ashley Johnston.

 

            Matt, who was a charter member of the Elite Swim Club in 1995, returns this spring to his former club team as an assistant coach. Matt will work with the Marlin Teals, Wave Teals, Wave Blacks and Wave Golds.

 

Matt joined Elite as a 13 year old and blossomed into one of the best swimmers Elite has ever produced (please check out the Top 10 All Time Times List-under the distance & IM events!!).  Since graduating Rowan University in 2004 (where he was captain of the Men’s Swim Team), Matt has worked in the area, most recently as a math teacher at Randolph High School.

 

            Ashley, who is a senior at Seton Hall University, is new to Elite. Ashley will work with the Marlin Teals, Marlin Blacks & Wave Teals

 

Ashely finished her spectacular swimming collegiate career in late February by winning both the 200 IM and 400 IM at the ECAC Swimming Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh. Ashley set new SHU college records in the 400 IM (4.25.86), 200 IM (2.06.19) and in the 200 butterfly (2.05.52)!!!! Ashley will be finishing her academic requirements by student teaching next fall in the area.

 

            After an 11year coaching stint with Elite, Pete Loftus is leaving the Elite coaching staff, effective immediately. Pete expects to stay involved in coaching, preferably at the collegiate level. Pete was part of the original coaching staff at Elite and helped formulate many of the procedures and policies of Elite. He is currently the head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University Swim Team. Pete will be sorely missed by the coaching staff and by the swimmers of Elite.

 

ATTENDENCE GUIDELINES FORMALIZED:

 

            As all Elite swimmers and parents know, Elite places a high priority on getting swimmers to practice. To our credit, swimmers take this priority seriously. Being the serious swimmers they are, when they are unable to make their normal practice, Elite swimmers like an opportunity to attend a “make-up” practice.

 

            In order to provide an opportunity for these swimmers to practice while simultaneously placing the correct weight of the “make-up” practice within the attendance scale, Elite has “formalized” its attendance and make-up practice policy. This policy is now posted on the website under

 

TOP 10 TIMES UPDATED;

 

            One of the most fun elements of swimming is the “measurability” of performance. To help keep swimmers motivated, Elite posts all sorts of “top 10” times on its website.

 

All the Top 10 Times lists have been updated thru earlier this week. Check it out!!!

 

SUMMER LONG COURSE MEET SCHEDULE REVISED:

 

            For those planning ahead, Elite swimmers in the Wave Blacks, Wave Golds, Senior Preps and Seniors are expected to participate in the following long course meets:

 

            1) Heat Madness: held at Rutgers on Saturday, June 3

 

            2) Either “Long Course Cup” (held at Princeton University) or “Summer Solstice” (held at Rutgers) on Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18. Decision as to which meet Elite will attend will depend on qualifying times and events offered

 

3)  Either 12 & Under Silvers will be held Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 at Rutgers (same weekend as in the past) or 13 & Older Silvers will be held Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23 at Rutgers (same weekend as in the past).

 

4) Bronze Championships will be held on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 in Bayonne (at an outside venue!).

 

            5) Junior Olympics will be held Friday, August 4 thru Sunday, August 6, 2006 at Rutgers University.

 

PLEASE CHECK PRACTICE SCHEDULE REGULARLY:

 

            Elite posts a two week practice schedule on its website (eliteswimclub.org/

practice schedule). This practice schedule is updated on a constant basis. It is strongly suggested that the Elite swimmer in your family check the practice schedule on a regular basis.

 

            Please note the current two week practice schedule as posted announces practice changes during the Easter weekend. Newark Academy will also not be available the following Saturday (April 22).

 

            Check the practice schedule!!!!