ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               4-07-08

 

TRAINING CYCLE STARTS ANEW TODAY FOR AGE GROUPERS AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

Here we go again!!!!  Today, Monday April 7, 2008 is the start of the Elite Age Group Spring/Summer training season. The practice schedule for the 2008 Spring/Summer is identical to the Winter 2007-08 schedule and the three week schedule is on the website and updated.

 

            The Seniors and Senior Preps have already started their training cycle. Some of them have been in the water for two weeks.

 

            New Jersey Swimming has been slow to post the Spring/Summer Meet Schedule. Thus, the coaching staff will be analyzing the meet schedule and will be figuring out what meets we will be attending as a team. This should be complete by the end of this week and that date/meet information will be included in next week’s weekly memo. Be advised that Elite will be attending the Memorial Day Invitational (for those who have qualified) and that meet entry information will be posted on the website within the next day.

 

SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARDS, ATTENDANCE AWARDS HIGHLIGHT TEAM BANQUET:

SENIORS DART, DEATLY AND MORRISON BID FAREWELL:

 

            Sixty-six (yes, 66!!) swimmers earned the prestigious Elite Scholar Athlete Award this year and they were presented their certificates at the 2008 Elite Award Banquet yesterday held at the Hanover Marriott.

 

            Fully 42% of eligible Elite Swimmers received this prestigious award. Each of the swimmers names will be added to the award list posted on the Elite website this week. There were 4 levels of awards earned.

 

            In addition, seventy-one (71) Elite swimmers earned and were awarded the Attendance Award. These swimmers earned this award by coming to 85% or more of the practices offered this past winter. This represents 45.5 % of the team.

 

            Seniors Chris Dart, Corianne Deatly and Alex Morrison, all of whom are graduating, each gave farewell speeches to their teammates and coaches, along with thanking the parents, for their efforts in helping them learn how to plan and achieve success. All 3 recounted humorous stories, poked a bit of fun at their coaches and got emotional during their speeches.   

 

DART FINISHES SEASON IN STYLE;

PLACES 8TH AT BRITISH OLYMIC TRIALS!!!

WILL REPRENT GBR THIS SUMMER!!

 

            Elite Senior Chris Dart finished his storybook season by competing at and succeeded at the British Olympic Trials. In his signature event, Chris finished 8th (he made a country’s Olympic Trial finals!!). His time of 56.65 was more than a second faster than his fabulous Burgdorff Olympic Trial qualifying time!! As a result, Chris will be automatically chosen to represent Great Britain (“GBR”) this summer at the Junior Level.

 

            Due to his unique situation, Chris is a dual citizen of Great Britain and the USA. His 100 back time qualified him to compete at both countries Olympic Trials. Since GBR has a lot less depth in their competition (Chris ranked 11th in GBR but about 75th in USA), he decided to compete at Great Britain’s Olympic Trials instead of USA’s.

 

            During GBR’s trials (which really was a combination of Olympic Trials, Senior Nationals and Junior Nationals), Chris competed in 6 events and earned best times in each of his 7 swims!! He dropped time in the 200 IM (2.07.65), the 50 Free (23.87), the 200 Back (2.06.69), the 100 fly (57.65) and the 100 Free (52.31).

 

            As a result of his 100 LCM Back swim, Chris will be automatically chosen by GBR to represent them at the Junior Level this summer. Chris is expected to be asked to compete in both Mexico City, Mexico and Belgrade Serbia at International Junior Meets.

 

P. DUVVURI, KOLOGY, LEVIN AND A. MORREALE REPRESENT NJ AT EASTERN ZONES!! COACH BECKY MARCELLIANO WAS ZONE COACH:

 

            14 year old Priya Duvvuri, 11 year old Regan Kology, 10 year old Aaron Levin and 14 year old Ali Morreale were chosen and represented New Jersey Swimming at the Eastern Zone Championship Meet last week in Buffalo, New York.

 

            Duvvuri dropped time in her 100 fly event (from JO’s) and Aaron Levin dropped time in his 500 free (also from JO’s). Kology was only 1 of three 11 year olds to be named to represent New Jersey.

 

            Coach Becky Marcelliano was picked to be a New Jersey Zone Coach. Ashley Johnston and Leighann Marcelliano have also been zone coaches in the past.

 

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

            As we head into the Spring 2008 Session, parents are reminded that there is a distinct shortage of parking spaces at Newark Academy, especially on weekdays between 5:00 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.

 

SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARD NAMES TO BE POSTED THIS WEEK:

 

Those swimmers who have earned the prestigious Scholar/Athlete Award will be added to the history list, which is posted on the website, this week.

 

COACH LEIGHANN WILL CONTINUE TUTORING ELITE SWIMMERS THIS SPRING:

          Coach Leighann Marcelliano will now be offering private swim technique lessons to level Elite Swimmers.  Leighann has secured a contract with Morristown Beard so all lessons will be held at MBS, and swimmers will sign an insurance contract with Leighann before participating. While working only with Elite swimmers, this tutoring school is independent of Elite in every capacity. 

         The swimmer (along with their current training group coach) will decide what swim topics will be covered. It is suggested that a swimmer get a group of friends together and sign up in groups of 2-4 kids, although this is not required.  Swimmers who want to sign up and have Leighann place them in an appropriate group based on topic and ability are welcome to do so. 

         Pool time is very limited and all swimmers will be scheduled on a first come first serve basis, so email Leighann directly and early to set up times.  Most times available will be from 3:30-4:30pm weekdays, with the possibility of very few lessons offered in the mornings or on weekends.  Times are subject to change as the pool schedule changes. 

         Cost listed below include pool rental, private insurance, and lifeguard pay, which explains why rate changes depending on the size of the group. 

         Lessons will be one hour and swimmers will be asked to sign up in packages of 4 one-hour lessons so that pool time can be acquired from MBS ahead of time.  All money is due at the time of the first lesson, as pool fees will be due at this time. 

 Group of 4 swimmers:  $70 per swimmer per hour session

 Group of 3 swimmers:  $95 per swimmer per hour session

 Group of 2 swimmers: $120 per swimmer per hour session

 Private lesson:  $150 per swimmer per hour session 

         Swimmers who are interested in technique lessons should contact Leighann directly through email first, (yan98@aol.com) and give Leighann a number where she can call back to schedule lessons.  Any questions should be directed to Leighann via email or phone 973-214-5340. 

 

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!!

 

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