ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               04-12-10

 

ELITE CELEBRATES ITS PAST SEASON SUCCESS AT AWARDS DINNER;

80 SWIMMERS EARN SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS;

82 SWIMMERS EARN ATTENDANCE AWARDS;

JO, ZONES & SECTIONAL MEDAL WINNERS ACKNOWLEDGED:

 

            The Winter 2010 Season officially came to a close yesterday when 248 swimmers and parents gathered together to celebrate Elite’s best season ever. Held at the Hanover Marriott Hotel, the 15th annual affair included speeches, multiple award ceremonies and a DJ (for dancing).

 

            Eight-two (yes, 80!!) swimmers earned the prestigious Elite Scholar Athlete Award this year. Fully 43% of eligible Elite Swimmers received this prestigious award. Each of the swimmers names have been added to the award list already posted on the Elite website. There were 4 levels of awards earned.

 

            82 practice diligent swimmers earned the Attendance Award (85% attendance or higher!!).

 

            Michael Tortorella (2), Chris Balbo (2), Andrea Galea (6), Jess Gorham (4), Kaitlin Stearns (5), Ryan Sebastian (4), Lindsay Stearns (2), Priya Duvvuri (1), Alex Mango (1), Ali Morreale (2) and Adam Weinbrom (2) were acknowledged for earning JO medals.

 

            Eastern Zone qualifiers Tortorella, Galea, K. Stearns, Sebastian and Kara Miller-Radest were recognized. Galea (3) & Sebastian were presented with medals they won while at Zones.

 

            Sectional qualifiers Gorham, L. Stearns, Maggie Nelson, Morreale, P. Duvvuri, Ryan Wyer, Michael Li, Alex Mango, Adam Weinbrom, Venka Duvvuri and Michael Strand were acknowledged.

 

            Michael Strand, for winning the Sectionals 100 back, was presented with his 1st place medal.

 

            Seniors Duncan Hall, Venka Duvvuri & Tad Deatly, 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 both themselves and the crowd emotional during their speeches.  

 

ELITE COACHES TO ATTEND COACHES CLINIC THIS COMING WEEKEND:

 

            In our never ending quest to upgrade its program, Elite will send 8 coaches to the USA Swimming’s and NJ Swimming’s Coaches Clinic this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Bayonne, NJ. All Elite practices will be held as scheduled.

 

            Scott Colby, Guy Edson and Peter Clark from USA Swimming in Colorado will cover topics such as “Gold Medal Starts,” “Best Turns on the Planet” and “Backstroke Revolution.”

 

            The coaches are eager to bring back the stroke technique work into the Senior and Age Group practices. 

 

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

            As we head into the Spring 2010 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.  Newark Academy is also now requesting the cars do not idle. Obviously, if the lot is not crowded, parking in the lower lot is acceptable.

 

            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.

 

STEARNS ANNOUNCESD 8th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON TO BE SATURDAY, MAY 22: BILL TO SWIM FOR RED CROSS/HAITI RELIEF:

 

The 9th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 22th at Morristown-Beard from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

 

Like all past “Elite-a-thons,” this year’s event will be structured so each individual participating will be raising money for the “charity of their choice.” A suggestion list of charities accompaning information to be provided by Seniors Lindsay Stearns, the fundraiser head who are coordinating this year’s efforts. Lindsay will provide information directly to swimmers at a Sunday practice in May. Last year’s charity list is posted on the website.

 

In a tradition begun six years ago, Bill will swim approximately 2000 yards to raise money for his yearly charity. This year, Bill will raise money to support the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake Haiti suffered this past winter.

 

Information will be posted on the website under “Elite-a-thon” later this week. Please follow the directions (do not go out soliciting for money alone!!!) and keep track of your pledge totals!!! 

 

TIDAL WAVE MEET TO BE SUNDAY, MAY 2ND:

 

            The Elite Marlin Teals-Explorer 2’s, Marlin Black-Explorer 1’s and the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s will participate in a meet held by Tidal Wave at the Union Boys and Girls Club in Union, New Jersey. Meet entries are expected to be posted on the team website later this week.  

 

PRIYA DUVVURI, ALI MORREALE, MAGGIE NELSON AND MICHAEL STRAND BECOME ELITE CAPTAINS:

                                           

            Swimmers who attain Senior Training level status and are seniors (or about to become seniors) in high school have earned the right to be named captains of the Elite Swim Club. This year Elite has 4 swimmers who have attained this prestigious level: Priya Duvvuri, Ali Morreale, Maggie Nelson and Michael Strand.

 

            Priya is to be senior at Columbia high school while Ali will be a senior at Millburn High School. Maggie and Michael will be seniors at Chatham High School.

 

            Captains at Elite lead dryland practice on a daily basis in the Senior Training Group, lead meet warm-up and are expected to lead at meets and various Elite functions.

 

            Congratulations to Priya, Ali, Maggie and Michael!!!

 

TENTATIVE SPRING/SUMMER MEET SCHEDULE POSTED:

           

            The tentative Spring/Summer Meet Schedule is now posted on the team website. The link is: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Meet%20Schedule/homepage.htm.

 

            This schedule is “tentative” in that Elite, will attempt to compete in the non-championship meets (Summer Solstice, Summer Sizzle & Friday Night) but could be shut out of these meets.

 

            Elite will definitely compete in a meet hosted by Tidal Wave of Union in early to mid May (short course & for Wave Teals-Believers 3, Marlin Blacks-Explorers 2 and Marlin Teals-Explorers 1). Elite has already entered Memorial Day meet (meet and event information posted on the website) and will co-host the Tiger Challenge thus guaranteeing participation. All teams are accepted into the championship meets.

           

TOP 10 ALL-TIME TIMES PER AGE GROUP HAVE BEEN UPDATED AS OF MONDAY, MARCH 22:

 

            The top 10 all time times per age group has been updated on the team website. Check it out!!

 

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 2010. When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer (Wave Black level, Wave Teal level, Marlin Black level or Marlin Teal level) to one of the numerous swim camps. Wave Golds and Seniors should remain training with Elite thru the summer months

 

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 renown 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!!! Also check out this month’s Swimming World Magazine, which lists many of the swim camps.

 

Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!         

           

PARENTS: PLEASE BE PROMPT IN PICKING UP SWIMMERS:

 

            Parents are requested to be prompt in picking up their swimmers at the end of practice. Recently, especially after the Wave Golds on weekdays and the Wave Teals on Saturday, swimmers have had to wait 30-45 minutes after practice for their ride.

 

            Bill has asked the coaches to remain at practice until the last child has been picked up (for the obvious safety reasons). Coaches are more than willing to do so occasionally. But Elite coaches have other full time jobs and several are attending school in addition to their primary jobs and coaching. It is unfair to ask the coaches to spend an additional 30-40 minutes waiting for parents to pick up their children virtually every night.

 

            Elite is prompt about ending practice on time. Please help out the coaches by being prompt to pick up your child.

 

CLOTHING ITEMS PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED THRU ESCPO NOW IN: CONTACT ALLISON NASH:

 

            The clothing items previously purchased thru ESCPO have arrived. Parents are encouraged to contact Allison Nash to arrange pick-up at Newark Academy.  Allison’s email address is ALLISONRNASH@MSN.COM.

           

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!!!