ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               05-03-10

 

REMEMBERIING WHY WE PRACTICE:

ELITE YOUNGSTERS BEGIN SPRING/SUMMER RACING SEASON:

 

            Just 4 weeks into the Spring/Summer 2010 training season, the Elite Wavebuster Teals-Believers-3, Marlin Blacks-Explorers-1 and the Marlin Teals-Explorers 2 kicked off the “racing” season with a dual meet against the Tidal Wave Swim Team at their Union, NJ facility yesterday.

 

            As the spring/summer season is approximately half the length of the winter training cycle, it is necessary to get the swimmers racing earlier in the training cycle in the spring/summer season. The more advanced swimmers will begin their racing season in two weeks, at the Tiger Challenge LCM meet held in Princeton. Given the twin factors of 1) the short preparation time plus 2) the small amount of entries in the TWST meet (the two sessions lasted about 1 hour apiece) meant much less recovery time than usual, Elite Swimmers performed magnificently. Many Elite swimmers posted best times despite the aforementioned factors.

 

            The need to have the swimmers race so early is twofold: 1) the Marlin-Explorers season is just 10 weeks long, so it is important for them to get a meet in. Most teams do not have this level swimmer train during the summer and once the long course racing season begins, it is difficult to find a team to compete against and 2) getting the swimmers to compete reminds them why they train day to day.

 

            Because the meet was held so early into the training cycle, swimmers and parents should not be worried if best times were not achieved. The Wavebuster Teal-Believers 3 training group is in aerobic building training while the Marlin-Explorers are in heavy stroke technique review.

 

            Full results are posted on the website: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Meet%20Results/meets_results_page.htm.

 

            Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite SCY best times): Megan Balbo (2), Katie Brosnan (1), Schulyer Bunn (1), Cordelia Burn (1), Sarah Burn (2), Peter Carchia (2), Koby Cohen (2), Aaron Damesek, Carolyn Delaney (1), Summer Felsen, RJ Fresen (2), Katherine Friday, Emily Fu (2), Clio Galea (1), Tabatha Georget (3), Patrick Gilfillan (2), Emily Goad, Abby Hartwig (3), Gab Hayek (3), Rachel Hong (1), Jennifer Huo, Lynna Huo, Alicia Iizuka (2), Erica Iizuka (1), Karen Iizuka (2), Monica Iizuka (1), Katie Iovel (1), Alex Jacobs (3), Sarah Jacobs (1), Rachel Keselman (1), Audrey Kim (1), Jessica Kraus, Hardie Kressler (2), Maddy Kretton (2), Grace Levey (3), Alyssa Levy (3), Brandon Li (2), Michael Macchia (2), Livia Maguire (2), Teddy Maguire (3), Reid McBoyle (3), Matt Migliozzi (3), Sandeepan Mukherjee, Shonchori Mukherjee (2), Evan Ng (3), Betsy Peinado (3), Joe Pick (2), Natalie Pruitt (3), Brandon Rossi (2), Jason Rossi (2), Katy Shepard (3), Abigail Shvorin (2), Delaney Smith, Gian Soriano (2), Will Stearns (2), Brittany Sun (1), Sachi Tanwar (2), Abigail Tsay (1), Katie Tselepis (2), Doris Xia (1), Vivian Xia (1), Claire Xu, Grace Xu (1), Katherine Zhang (3).

 

ELITE TO RENT CROMWELL POOL THIS SUMMER FOR WAVE TEAL-BELIEVER 3 PRACTICES:

 

            Elite has contracted with the Cromwell Pool, located in Morristown (off Columbia Turnpike/Columbia Turnpike) to rent their pool during the summer mornings. Elite will be renting the Cromwell Pool Monday thru Thursday, from 7:15 am to 8:30 am. In addition, the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s have one scheduled practice a week in the long course pool at Springfield (Sunday mornings 6:30 am to 8:15 am).

 

            As with all changes made at Elite, the ultimate goal is to make the program stronger. The decision to rent the Cromwell pool (which will add expense to Elite without adding any income) was based upon the following:

 

1)      renting the Cromwell Pool will provide the proper space for the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3 to train in during the summer months. With the previous summer practice schedule, the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s were allocated just 1 lane at Springfield two days a week. Many times, there were 20 swimmers in the one lane during practice. The Cromwell Pool has 5 lanes.

2)      renting the Cromwell Pool will provide consistent coaching for Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s during their summer training. Coach Michelle is available to coach all 5 of the schedule practices whereas she was not available to coach all 5 practices under the previous schedule.

3)      renting the Cromwell Pool will provide a more conducive environment for proper stroke technique. At the Parents Meeting in February, parents indicated that stroke technique work/proper stroke technique provided was their number one concern for their swimmers. Stroke technique generally breaks down when a swimmer is tired. By having Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3 swimmers training in the most challenging venue 3 times a week last summer, stroke technique was much more likely to break down and bad habits to occur and cement. With the Cromwell Pool being a shorter pool, this will help cement proper stroke technique for these younger swimmers who should be less tired during their sets within practice.

4)      renting the Cromwell Pool will provide a consistent practice schedule for the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s (rather than the flip flop practice schedule the previous schedule provided).

 

            The summer schedule for the remaining groups will remain the same (with the slight alteration of an earlier start time and 15 minutes longer per practice at MBS for Wavebuster Blacks-Believers 2 on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. The schedule from June 21 thru July 31 is now posted on the team website under practice schedule. http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm

 

TIGER CHALLENGE ON THE HORIZON: ELITE CO-HOSTS MEET TO GAIN ACCESS TO LCM COMPETITION; PARENTS NEEDED TO RUN MEET:

 

            In order to insure entry into a long course meet early in the season, Elite agreed to co-host the Tiger Challenge 2010 at Princeton University on Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16. All swimmers in the Seniors, Senior Preps, Wavebuster Golds-Believers 1, Wavebuster Blacks-Believers 2 & Wavebuster Teals-Believers 3 are entered into the meet.

 

            NJ Swimming is a community. For our swimmers to get splash opportunities, a NJ Swimming club must host a meet (man all the tasks/jobs needed in order to run the meet). As a team, Elite will participate in 10 separate meets this Spring and Summer; at each of these meets, a host team is providing the splash opportunities for Elite Swimmers. Co-hosting the Tiger Challenge is Elite’s way providing our share of the burden in providing splash opportunities for our swimmers.

 

            Also, by co-hosting a meet, Elite is guaranteed to participate in the meet. Non-hosting teams have no such guarantee. Although the summer lcm competition has not yet started, almost all the meets already sanctioned and posted have been closed due to the tremendous demand; one meet closed in less than 1 minute (and 12 teams did not get in). 

 

            The lead co-host team, Princeton Tigers Aquatic Club will man more than 50% of the tasks needed to run the Tiger Challenge.

 

            Parents are reminded that upon committing their swimmers to Elite, they agreed to the Elite Parental Obligation, which obligation was provided to each swimmer at the start of the Fall/Winter Session or the Spring Session (if the swimmer joined Elite this spring).

 

            Parents should be prepared to provide timing assistance as requested by the Timing Coordinators for the Tiger Challenge. Elite’s timing and other jobs will be posted on the team website under the meet schedule table.

 

SOMERSET PATRIOTS HONOR US (SWIMMERS!!!):

PUT JUNE 28TH ON YOUR CALENDAR!!!

 

            The Somerset Patriots, a local professional Minor League Baseball team, will be honoring Swimmers this summer with a special night at the ballpark! On Monday June 28, the Patriots will be holding Swim Night at their home park in Bridgewater, New Jersey (just off Route 287 South).

 

            The night will be dedicated to a swim theme. The Patriots will provide a special appearance by a well known swimmer, scoreboard recognition & public address announcement to each NJ swim team that participates, a pre-game parade and multiple opportunities for participate in on-field activities.

 

            The Elite Swim Club Parents Organization is exploring with the Patriots the possibility of group seating.

 

            In recognition of this night, Elite will cancel the 4 pm-6 pm practice at MBS on Monday, June 28 so swimmers and their families are free to attend this event.

 

EXCITING NEWS: COACH TRISH IS EXPECTING!!:

 

            Congratulations to Coach Trish Taormina and her husband Steve who announced this past week that Trish is pregnant!! The Taorminas due date is in November. This will be Trish and Steve’s first!

 

            Best of luck to the Taorminas!!!

 

WITH MEETS ON THE HORIZON; NEW TIMING COORDINATORS WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU

 

            Parents of Elite swimmers are asked to add the following four email addresses to your e-mail address book to ensure you receive important information regarding Elite Hosted Meets, Timing Information for all other meets and Parent Association Information.  Adding the e-mail addresses will insure that these important e-mails do not go to your junk/spam folder.

 

Carolyn Balbo -                     cbalbo@comcast.net

Sanjeeta Mukherjee -            sanjumukhe@gmail.com         

Sue Duren -                            sueduren@aol.com

Antone Balbo -                      abalbo@comcast.net

           

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 ANNOUNCES 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!!! 

 

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, APRIL 19:

 

            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!!!